1998 Year of the Ocean A Survey of International Agreements 



Convention for a North Pacific Marine Science Organization (PICES), 1992; 

 U.S. Senate Treaty Document 102-9, 102nd Congress, 1st Session 



PICES was established to promote and coordinate marine scientific research in the 

 northern North Pacific and adjacent seas, particularly northward of 30 degrees north latitude. The 

 organization's purpose is to advance scientific knowledge about the ocean environment, global 

 climate change, living resources and their ecosystems, and the impacts of human activities, and 

 to promote the collection and rapid exchange of scientific information on these issues. The six 

 contracting parties are Canada, the People's Republic of China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, 

 Russia, and the United States. Each party pays an equal contribution. 



South Pacific Regional Environment Program, 1995 



The South Pacific Regional Environment Program (SPREP) is designed to promote 

 cooperation in the South Pacific region, provide assistance to protect and improve the 

 environment, and to ensure sustainable development. SPREP is comprised of twenty-two Pacific 

 island countries and four developed countries with direct interests in the region. The SPREP 

 Agreement came into force on August 31, 1995. The United States has signed the Agreement, 

 which is before the Senate for its advice and consent for ratification. 



Convention on the International Hydrographic Organization 



The International Hydrographic Organization is a technical organization established to 

 coordinate and promote the adoption of reliable and efficient scientific practice in hydrography 

 and navigation. It has the following objectives: 



a. bring about close and permanent association between national hydrographic offices; 



b. ensure the greatest possible uniformity in nautical charts and documents; 



c. further the exchange of nautical charts and documents; 



d. provide guidance and advice on request; 



e. assist countries engaged in setting up or expanding their hydrographic service; 



f encourage coordination of hydrographic surveys with relevant oceanographic cruises 

 or other activities; 



g. facilitate the application of oceanographic knowledge for the benefit of navigators; 



h. cooperate with other international organizations and scientific institutions with similar 

 objectives. 



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