1998 Year of the Ocean Perspectives on Marine Environmental Quality 



The Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act establishes national marine 

 sanctuaries for areas that have special significance based on their "conservation, recreational, 

 ecological, historic, research, educational or aesthetic qualities" and controls dumping of wastes 

 into ocean waters. The objectives of the national marine sanctuaries program are as follows: 



(1) establish sanctuaries in areas of special national significance (currently there are 12 

 national marine sanctuaries) 



(2) develop and implement coordinated protection and management plans for sanctuaries; 



(3) facilitate public and private uses insofar as they are compatible with resource 

 protection 



(4) support scientific research and public education in the sanctuaries 



As noted previously, dumping of sewage sludge and industrial wastes ceased in the United 

 States as a result of the Ocean Dumping Ban Act of 1998. Disposal of dredged material into 

 ocean waters is controlled by regulations under the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries 

 Act. 



As a result of the Exxon Valdez oil spill in 1989, Congress passed the Oil Pollution Act 

 of 1990. This legislation established more stringent requirements for preparedness and 

 prevention of spills which were implemented by regulations promulgated by the U.S. Coast 

 Guard. Industry and government were mandated to take measures to reduce the risk of a 

 catastrophic release of oil into the marine environment. As a result of this law, transporters of oil 

 and production facilities were required to develop and implement response plans, participate in 

 preparedness drills, and maintain safe shipping and handling practices. 



The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, commonly 

 known as the MARPOL Treaty, also governs the release of oil, hazardous substances, and 

 garbage into the marine environment. Annex I of MARPOL deals with the prevention of 

 pollution by oil and places requirements on new oil tankers; Annex II governs noxious liquids 

 carried in bulk; Annex III governs packaged harmful substances; Annex IV deals with the control 

 of sewage and other "grey water"; and Annex V deals with garbage (which includes plastics, 

 metal, glass, galley wastes and other materials.) 



The conservation offish and wildlife is addressed through a number of statutes such as 

 the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, which requires the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and 

 the National Marine Fisheries Service to review any action that may affect any body of water and 

 to make recommendations for the conservation of fish and wildlife. This includes ( 1 ) determining 

 standards for water quality, (2) studying methods for abating and preventing pollution and 

 recovering useful products, and (3) collecting and distributing data on the results of 

 investigations. The Sustainable Fisheries Act of 1996 mandates the protection of essential fish 

 habitat, including protection from impacts other than fishing. Living marine resource 



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