.2 the MEPC should initially review the application to determine whether it addresses the provisions of the Guidelines. If it does, the MEPC may approve in principle the identification of the area as a PSSA, and should refer the application with its Associated Protective Measures, to the appropriate Sub-Committee or Committee (which could be the MEPC itself) that is responsible for addressing the particular Associated Protective Measures proposed for the area. The Sub-Committee may seek the advice of the MEPC on issues pertinent to the application. The MEPC should make no final determination to approve identification until after the Associated Special Protective Measures are considered and approved by the pertinent Sub-Committee or Committee;
.3 for measures that require approval by the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC), the Sub-Committee should forward its recommendation for approval of the Associated Protective Measures to the MSC or, if the Sub-Committee rejects the measures, it should inform the MEPC and provide the Proposing Member Governments a statement of reasons for its decision. The MSC should consider any such recommendations and, if the measures are to be adopted, it should notify the MEPC of its decision;
.4 if an application is submitted without fully identifying Associated Protective Measures, the MEPC may approve in principle the identification of the area as a PSSA, pending submission of at least one proposed Associated Protective Measure within 2 years of such approval and subsequent adoption of at least one Associated Protective Measure; and
.5 after the approval by the appropriate Sub-Committee or Committee of the Associated Protective Measures, the MEPC may provide final approval of the application for PSSA identification. If the application is rejected, the MEPC shall notify the Proposing Member Government and provide a statement of reasons for its decision.
4.4 IMO should provide a forum for the review and re-evaluation of any Associated Protective Measure adopted, as necessary, taking into account pertinent comments, reports, and observations of the measures. Member Governments which have ships operating in the area of the identified PSSA are encouraged to bring any concerns with the Associated Protective Measures to IMO so that any necessary adjustments may be made. Member Governments that originally submitted the application for identification with the Associated Protective Measures should also bring any concerns and should bring proposals for additional measures or modifications to any Associated Protective Measure to IMO.
4.5 After adoption of the application for identification of a PSSA and its Associated Protective Measures, IMO should ensure that the effective date of implementation is as soon as possible based on rules of IMO and consistent with international law.
4.6 IMO should, in assessing applications for identification of PSSAs and their Associated Protective Measures, take into account the technical and financial resources available to developing Member Governments and those with economies in transition.
5 IMPLEMENTATION OF IDENTIFIED PSSAs AND THEIR ASSOCIATED PROTECTIVE MEASURES
5.1 When a PSSA is finally approved, all Associated Protective Measures should be identified on charts in accordance with symbols and methods of the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO). Proposing Member Governments may also chart identified PSSAs in accordance with appropriate national symbols; however, if an international symbol is adopted by the IHO, Proposing
