ANNEX 1
DRAFT PROCEDURES FOR THE IDENTIFICATION OF PARTICULARLY SENSITIVE SEA AREAS AND THE ADOPTION OF ASSOCIATED PROTECTIVE MEASURES
1 OBJECTIVES
1.1 The purposes of this procedure for the identification of particularly sensitive sea areas (PSSAs) and the adoption of Associated Protective Measures are to: set forth the practical steps necessary to implement chapter 3 of the Guidelines; provide guidance to Member Governments in the formulation and submission of applications for identification of PSSAs and adoption of their necessary Associated Protective Measures; ensure that in that process all interests--those of the coastal State, flag State, and the environmental and shipping communities--are thoroughly considered on the basis of relevant scientific, technical, economic, and environmental information regarding the area at risk of damage from international maritime activities and the protective measures to minimize that risk; and provide for the assessment of such applications by IMO.
1.2 Identification of any PSSA and the adoption of Associated Protective Measures require consideration of three integral components: the particular environmental conditions of the area to be identified, the vulnerability of such area to damage by identified international maritime activities, and the competence of IMO to provide Associated Protective Measures for the area to address those risks from these maritime activities.
2 DEFINITIONS
2.1 Associated Protective Measure - An international rule or standard that falls within the purview of IMO and regulates international maritime activities for the protection of the area at risk.
2.2 Guidelines for the Designation of Special Areas and the Identification of Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas (Guidelines) - The Guidelines were adopted by Assembly resolution A.720(17) in 1991, as amended and are primarily intended to assist IMO and Member Governments in identifying, managing, and protecting sensitive sea areas.
2.3 Identification of a particularly sensitive sea area - A determination by [MO that a Proposing Member Government, in accordance with the Guidelines, has established a need for Associated Protective Measures for a particular sea area because of the area's recognized ecological, socio-economic, or scientific characteristics and its vulnerability to damage (that is, injury or environmental harm) by identified international maritime activities.
2.4 International maritime activities - Vessel traffic and other vessel-based operations that are subject to regulation by international rules and standards within the purview of IMO.
2.5 Member Governments - Those governments that are Contracting Parties to the Convention on the International Maritime Organization.
2.6 IMO - The International Maritime Organization (IMO), which is the international body responsible for identifying areas as Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas and adopting the Associated Protective Measures.
2.7 Particularly Sensitive Sea Area - An area that needs special protection through action by IMO because of its significance for recognized ecological or socio-economic or scientific reasons and which may be vulnerable to damage by international maritime activities.
