Chapter 5 Protection of the Marine Environment and Maritime Disaster Preparedness and Response
I. Current State of Marine Pollution and Measures to Protect the Marine Environment
1. Situation Regarding Confirmed Incidents of Marine Pollution
In 1995, JMSA confirmed 811 cases of marine pollution in the waters surrounding Japan.
By type of marine pollution confirmed in 1995, they are as follows:
a. Oil pollution cases numbered 497 and accounted for 61% of the total.
b. Non-oil pollution cases numbered 269 and accounted for 33% of the total.
c. Red tide pollution cases numbered 45 and accounted for 6% of the total, and were confirmed most often in Ise Bay and the Seto Inland Sea (excluding Osaka Bay).
2. Situation Regarding Discharge of Waste into the Sea, etc.
In accordance with the "Marine Pollution Prevention Law," JMSA keeps a record of ships used for the disposal of waste. In addition, it confirms the pre-treatment of certain noxious liquid substances and verifies plans pertaining to the discharge of waste matter, burning of oil, etc., and scrapping of ships, etc.
3. Studies Related to Protecting the Marine Environment
(1) Studies to Understand the State of the Marine Environment
Of the various global environmental problems, there is concern that global warming will have a particularly serious impact on human society and the ecosystem.
In order to devise measures to prevent global warming, it is first necessary to understand the mechanism that causes it. Since the oceans cover approximately 70% of the earth's surface, it is believed that the oceans play an important role in global warming.
Amid such concerns, JMSA, Japan's representative organization for oceanographic study, has been participating in WESTPAC since 1983. This is a joint study of the western Pacific ocean region implemented by Pacific rim countries such as Japan, the U.S., and Australia, in accordance with the decision of UNESCO and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC). As part of this study, JMSA uses its hydrographic survey vessels to carry out regular monitoring observations, etc., of water temperatures, salinity, ocean currents, waves, and marine pollution in the sea area extending from south of Honshu
