Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and other Matter
The Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and other Matters was signed in London, 1972 and currently as of September 2016 has 89 State Parties. The primary aim of the convention is the elimination of the dumping of hazardous materials at sea in order to minimise ocean-based pollution. The convention defines dumping to be the ‘deliberate disposal at sea of wastes or other matter from vessels, aircraft, platforms or other man-made structures, as well as the deliberate disposal of these vessels or platforms themselves.’ As such this means that waste produced in the normal operations of ships, aircraft of other platforms is not subject to the stipulations of the treaty. Furthermore, if the dumping of waste is necessary in order to prevent a greater risk to human lives on a stricken vessel then it is permitted. State Parties are authorised to set up the necessary administrative structures to regulate and monitor aerial and nautical activities within their territorial waters. They are actively encouraged to cooperate with other State Parties and ensure that ocean based pollution is minimised. The convention since its 1972 signing has been amended by a protocol amendment of 1993.