The IMO Navigation, Communications and Search and Rescue Sub-Committee (NCSR) 10, took place 10 to 19 May 2023, where associated protective measures (APMs) for sea mammals within the particularly sensitive sea area in the North-Western Mediterranean Sea (NW Med PSSA) were discussed.
The Sub-Committee agreed to the draft APMs for inclusion in the final Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) resolution on the designation of the NW Med PSSA, aiming to protect cetaceans from international shipping.
MEPC 79 agreed, in principle, to the designation of the North-Western Mediterranean Sea, subject to the further development and approval of the proposed APMs, which include recommended measures, such as reducing speed, increased look out and reporting of cetacean sighting and any collisions.
The Sub-Committee invited MSC 107, as an urgent matter, to agree that the above-mentioned APMs could be referred directly to MEPC 80, taking into account their general nature aiming at information-sharing primarily for contributing to the protection of the marine environment.
Further on the subject of marine mammals’ protection, Gard Club recently published an alert to warn masters and crews operating along the US/Canadian East Coast to maintain a good lookout for North Atlantic right whales and follow the speed restrictions in force at any given time.
