The implications of MARPOL Annex V on the management of ports and coastal communities

Abstract

The passage of the Marine Plastics Pollution Research and Control Act of 1987 (MPPRCA), which codified Annex V of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), has encompassed every commercial and recreational shipping and boating facility in the United States. As a group, these ports, harbors, and marinas form a significant, although proportionately small, portion of the coastline of the country. More important, the economic benefits derived from the complex shoreside infrastructures required for international ocean trade, commercial and recreational fishing, and pleasure boating indicate just how critical it is for these facilities to be in conformance with effective and prudent coastal zone and environmental management practices.     

Cost assessment for abyssal seafloor waste isolation

We develop an integrated model for estimating the internal cost of abyssal seafloor waste isolation. The model captures the major economic, engineering, geographic and social factors that influence the management cost for sewage sludge and municipal incinerator ash. Considering five representative metropolitan areas and five proposed abyssal study sites, we apply this model to produce cost estimates for four deep-ocean waste delivery system concepts. The results show that the unit cost depends primarily on regional waste volume, the marine delivery system and transportation distance. Based on available data, the abyssal ocean option may be competitive with present land-based disposal costs in New York City. The option is less competitive in other metropolitan areas.     

Noaa's marine sanctuary program

Abstract

Authority to designate marine sanctuaries was established by Title III of the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972. One may view this authority as the ocean water counterpart to our National Parks and Seashores. Contained herein is a discussion of the components of the Title and how the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) plans to carry out the program. Nominations received to date are briefly discussed.     

The impact of the Merchant Marine Act of 1970 on subsidized US ship construction

The United States Congress reasserted the desire for continued financial support to domestic merchant-ship construction when in 1970 it amended the Merchant Marine Act of 1936 [1]. With regard to the shipbuilding industry, the most significant changes contained in the Merchant Marine Act of 1970 [2] are those designed to reduce the construction differential subsidy and to increase the variety of vessels that might be subsidized. Sections 501(a), 502(a), and 502(b) of the 1936 Act were amended to facilitate the reduction in subsidies; Section 905(a) was modified to encourage the subsidized construction of liquid and dry bulk cargo vessels. After a cursory review of the 1970 amendments to the 1936 Act, this paper is directed to ascertaining the results, in general, of the changes and whether they have generated increased domestic shipyard productivity and lower subsidy rates.     

Estimating the Economic Benefits of Regional Ocean Observing Systems

This article introduces a theme issue of the Coastal Management Journal comprising a set of articles on the potential economic benefits from new investments in coastal ocean observing systems. We describe a methodology to estimate these benefits, and apply this methodology to generate preliminary estimates of such benefits. The approach focuses on coastal ocean observing information within ten geographic regions encompassing all coastal waters of the United States, and within a wide range of industrial and recreational activities including recreational fishing and boating, beach recreation, maritime transportation, search and rescue operations, spill response, marine hazards prediction, offshore energy, power generation, and commercial fishing. Our findings suggest that annual benefits to users are likely to run in the multiple $100s of millions of dollars. The project results should be considered first-order estimates that are subject to considerable refinement as the parameters of regional observing systems are better defined, and as our understanding of user sectors improves.     

Surveillance and Poaching on Inshore Reefs of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park

The Great Barrier Reef (GBR), Australia, is managed under the GBR Marine Park Act (1975) and is seen as a shining example of marine resource management. The principle tool of management is zoning for multiple use. We examined surveillance and illegal fishing around two inshore islands (Magnetic and Orpheus) of the GBR Marine Park in 2000/2001. Both islands are near Townsville, the largest city adjacent to the GBR. Surveillance effort was low, with vessels present on only 16% of days of the year. Measurable but low levels of illegal recreational fishing occurred within no-take zones. Levels decreased with increasing surveillance effort. Thus zoning was not completely successful in protecting fish targeted by fisheries, even within the most highly enforced sections of the Park. The expansion of no-take zones in 2004 from 4.6% to 33.4% of the area of the 358,000 km2 Park represents a considerable challenge for future surveillance and enforcement.     

Factors Influencing Environmentally Responsible Behavior among Coastal Recreationists

Abstract

An increasing threat to the marine environment is the presence of debris in the ocean, which is predominantly a result of land-based sources and increasing use of single-use packaging items. To begin reducing the amount of debris entering the ocean, human behavior must be addressed. The purpose of this study is to evaluate how coastal recreationists behave towards the environment and whether their participation in recreation correlates to their reported behavior specific to marine debris control. Path analysis was used to determine how one’s attitudes, knowledge, recreational activity, and background characteristics influence behavior. Results showed that type of recreational activity had very little impact on behavior and other predictors. From the model, marine environmental concern, connection to the marine environment, and gender most directly influenced reported behavior. Therefore, to encourage change in recreationists’ relevant behavior, the results indicate social groups where behavior change efforts could initially be made. Additionally, the marine environmental concerns of different demographic groups should be considered and used in developing programs directed at increasing environmentally responsible behavior with emphasis on marine debris.     

船用质谱仪电磁兼容结构设计

船用质谱仪作为舰艇舱室气体测量的主要设备,其电磁兼容性能的好坏直接关系到舰艇舱室环境检测的准确性,对艇员的正常生活和工作,甚至舰艇的作战能力都会产生很大的影响.本文依据电磁兼容的基本原理,从屏蔽和线缆敷设2个方面对船用质谱仪进行电磁兼容结构设计,使仪器满足GJB151B《军用设备和分系统电磁发射和敏感度要求》的相关规定,从而保证仪器在复杂的电磁环境下测量的准确度、可靠性和稳定性.     

试论《中华人民共和国内河避碰规则》的局限性

在充分肯定了《内河避碰规则》的主体框架的基础上,针对目前反映比较突出的一些问题做了细致的分析,例如一些条款不够全面;有些条款用词陈旧,不够准确;对操限船、限于吃水船及失控船的概念没有提及;将内河的主要运输船型——拖带或顶推船没有纳入操限船的范畴等,对当前内河的航行安全产生了不利影响。针对这些问题,分别提出了新的建议。     

Issues in Underwater Cultural Heritage Impact Assessments in China

Abstract

During the past decades, the number of coastal and marine construction projects has multiplied in China, posing a serious threat to underwater cultural heritage in its waters. In contrast, there are few rules dealing with underwater cultural heritage impact assessment which has not yet become a mandatory procedure in various coastal and marine construction projects. With China putting forward the Belt and Road Initiative, the conflicts between the protection of underwater cultural heritage and the need of various coastal and marine construction projects might become more frequent. Chinese legislation in this domain, undergoing important revision, intends to establish a mandatory procedure of proactive archeological investigation. This revision could have a great influence on the protection of underwater cultural heritage as well as the coastal and marine construction projects in China but the relevant provisions are still far from satisfactory. The present study will review the current Chinese legislation concerning the impact assessment of marine or coastal construction projects on underwater cultural heritage and explore the possibility for further improvement at the legislative level.     

The U.S. national marine sanctuary program: An analysis of the program's implementation and current issues

Abstract

The U.S. National Marine Sanctuary Program was established in 1972 by Title III of the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act (16 U.S.C. §1431 et seq.). In this article, we discuss the development of the sanctuary concept, and the original intent of Congress, and analyze how it was applied by the sanctuary program. Differences in interpretation of the program's purpose are examined, including discussion of the multiple‐use management concept, an important but controversial management technique used in the sanctuaries. The continuing efforts by Congress and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to clarify the program's purpose are investigated. The program's administrative history is explained and the current sanctuaries and active candidates are briefly described. In light of the 1988 reauthorization of the Marine Sanctuary Act, the current issues facing the program are analyzed. Finally, we draw conclusions and make recommendations for the program's future.     

Underwater Cultural Heritage Policies of the United States Coastal Zone

Domestic management of historic shipwrecks and other Underwater Cultural Heritage (UCH) resources located in the United States coastal zone is extensively fragmented and a portion of it has significant implications in terms of international law. In the United States coastal zone, UCH (largely historic shipwrecks) falls under one of three general regimes, depending on where the resource is located and subject to specific and individual requirements: the General Maritime Law, the Abandoned Shipwreck Act, and the Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act, also known as the Marine Sanctuaries Act. After examining the development of and current status of these regimes, this article will suggest policies for a stronger, more coordinated federal management regime in United States coastal waters. It will specifically argue that a recent decision by the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit provides a well-designed paradigm that could be linked with pertinent aspects of the three identified regimes to create a unified coastal governance mechanism for sunken historic shipwrecks.     

Technology development for environmentally sound ships of the 21st century: an international perspective

Around the world, ships operating in the 21st century tury will be expected tomeet increasingly stringent environmental regulations. Many governments have comprehensive shipboard pollution abatement programs under way that will enable ships of the 21st century to be environmentally sound. The goal is for ships to operate worldwide with minimal potential for regulatory constraints, without inappropriate dependence on shore facilities, and without unreasonable costs imposed by environmental regulations. The following is the basic strategy: Design and operate ships to minimize emissions and waste generation while optimizing waste management, and develop shipboard systems that will destroy or appropriately treat the wastes generated on board. If wastes are unavoidable and cannot be destroyed or retained on board for recycling ashore, they must be sufficiently treated so that overboard discharges are considered environmentally insignificant. Although the ultimate solution for onboard destruction has not been achieved for any shipboard waste stream, considerable progress has been made toward developing onboard capabilities for treating or rrocessing solid wastes, oily wastes, hazardous materials, and medical wastes. Satisfactory interim or long-term solutions are being sought for blackwater and graywater treatment. International cooperative efforts directed toward achieving environmentally sound ships are under way among governments to share information and technologies, and to save time and money. Presented at the International Conference on Technologies for Marine Environment Preservation (MARIENV '95), Tokyo, Japan, September 24–29, 1995.     

Demographic indicators of the relative need for artificial reefs in Florida

Abstract

Artificial reef development involves pfonning from a number of perspectives including biological, océanographie, engineering, and social. This article reviews previous studies and identifies demographic variables that affect the use of artificial reefs by recreational anglers. An index of relative demand was created employing eight components: number of coastal county resident boat anglers, nonresident boat anglers, tourist boat anglers, nonboat anglers, number of fishing clubs, number of charter/party boats, number of registered pleasure boats, and the rate of county population growth. By comparing the magnitude of the index to the number of existing artificial reefs off of Florida's 35 coastal counties, an estimate of relative need was graphically portrayed on a state map. Indian River county on the Atlantic coast and Hernando, Hillsborough, Pasco, Citrus, Levy, Lee, and Charlotte counties on the central Gulf coast are the areas with the greatest demand relative to existing reef supply.     

The economics of double-hulled tankers

A cost-benefit analysis is conducted on the double-hull requirements for oil tankers in United States' waters contained in the U.S. Oil Pollution Act of 1990. The benefits of reduced spillage are compared with the increased construction and operations costs of double-hulled vessels. In the most probable scanario, the expected benefits are only 20% of the expected costs. Double-hulls do not even show a positive net present value with the most favorable assumptions. Even if double-hulls prevent all of the spillage that occurs due to collisions and groundings, and that the damage per gallon spilled is as extensive as in the ‘Exxon Valdez’ incident, the benefits are under half of the costs.     

一种虚实结合的船舶压缩空气操作训练系统设计

针对航运院校采用真实船舶动力设备系统操作训练存在占地面积大、成本高且缺少实船环境的缺点,本文以船舶压缩空气系统为例设计出一种虚实结实的动力设备操作训练系统,建立了压缩空气系统的三维实体模型和设备的数学模型,通过Unity3D实现了船舶压缩空气系统的场景漫游和虚拟操作功能,采用PLC控制技术实现了空压机组的控制功能,解决了PLC控制器与Unity3D之间数据交互问题,最终实现了通过实物控制箱控制虚拟的空压机组的目的。     

透过香港看中国的游艇市场

——IBI作为一家国际知名的船艇信息调查机构对中国的游艇市场当然不会漠视。该机构最近发表文章，专门介绍中国游艇市场的现状。充分看到了正在兴起的船艇及其设备制造厂商，客观分析了市场消费潜力以及制约游艇业发展的种种障碍，同时也预测了中国游艇市场未来的发展方向及重点，为业内外人士从宏观角度把握中国游艇市场的走向提供了重要的可靠依据。[编者按]     

海洋环境监测是海洋发展和维权的支撑

海洋维权装备必须适应海洋环境,海洋环境又无休止地影响着海洋装备的功能和性能.要想提高装备技术水平,发挥装备的最大效能,在应用和研制装备的同时,要充分了解海洋环境对装备的诸多影响,要研究海洋环境与装备相关性技术.本文根据海洋维权装备发展顶层设计的需求,从功能上定性地探讨分析海洋环境对雷达探测、水声探测、目标识别、精确制导、信号传输、导航定位等方面的影响,提出海洋维权装备对海洋环境的适应性要求和对海洋环境效应技术的支撑性需求,提出把海洋环境监测要素纳入海战场辅助决策体系.海洋环境监测既是人类认知海洋、开发海洋、防灾救灾、海战场建设的需要,又是海洋发展和维权的支撑和先导,军民共建,军民共享,为发展海洋经济,保护海洋权益而励志奋进!     

Public Perception of Ocean Governance and Marine Resources Management in Taiwan

Understanding public perception of the oceans, and relationship between society and the sea is an important key to the sustainable management of marine resources. This research reports the first population-based survey on Taiwanese public knowledge, attitudes, and actions on marine-related issues. The stratified random sampling by county was completed with 1,120 telephone respondents from October to December 2010. More than 60% of the respondents have heard about global warming, sea-level rising, the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, the coral reef bleaching crisis, and Japan whaling fisheries. However, less than 20% of the respondents are aware of Taiwanese domestic marine policies, such as the Ocean White Paper. On resources conservation, 74.7% of the respondents support the bluefin tuna catches regulations and 76.6% agree that the shark fin fisheries will impact shark resources. Education and age are the major affecting variables for resource conservation and knowledge. Higher education and age 40–49 are most supportive of conservation measures. For marine recreational activities, 42.2% of the respondents can swim, and 44.2% of the respondents had not visited the beach in the previous year. The results suggest that the government could establish a specialized agency to strengthen its marine policy and take more actions to protect ocean environment and conserve marine resources. To encourage more Taiwanese to participate in ocean recreational activities, the government could build a safe facility for marine recreation, cooperate with the private sectors in education, and provide outreach to raise public awareness of the oceans.     

Small-Scale Sicilian Fisheries: Opinions of Artisanal Fishers and Sociocultural Effects in Two MPA Case Studies

Marine resource management and related stakeholder conflicts have been clearly defined in recent decades as pressing issues worldwide. This article provides a comparative study of the management regimes of the Gulf of Castellammare Fishery Reserve and the Egadi Islands Marine Reserve in Sicily, Italy. What managers in these two reserves have neglected to include in management is a social science evaluation scheme to ensure the development of more effective overall management. This is a significant problem in both Italy and the rest of the Mediterranean, where few sociocultural and economic studies have been conducted. Using data collected with standard anthropological field methods, analysis was conducted on how artisanal fishers are impacted by reserves, the extent of their knowledge regarding regulations, their opinions on management, and demographics. The results indicate that while fishers in the two case studies are all aware of the marine reserves where they fish, most fishers are not well informed of the associated regulations. Fishers feel alienated from the management process, and would feel more comfortable with reserve managers and regulations if they were involved in management. The article concludes by showing how such data could help to develop more useful and practical management practices in both these and other MPAs with similar problems.