New meaures into force to combat pollution in the Caribbean Sea
Became a Special Area in accordance wth MARPOL The Maritime Authority of Jamaica is set to get tough on pollution as new measures come into force this month to combat pollution in the Caribbean Sea.On May 1, 2011 the Caribbean Sea became a Special Area for the prevention of pollution by garbage generated from ships in accordance with the provisions of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1978 as amended , commonly known as the MARPOL Convention.MAJ Director of Legal Affairs, Bertrand Smith, welcomed the move saying: "The designation marks a significant milestone for the protection of the marine environment of Jamaica and the Wider Caribbean Region."From now on ships trading in the Caribbean, including pleasure crafts, are prohibited from discharging any ship-generated garbage - including plastics, paper products, rags, glass, metals, crockery, dunnage and packing materials - into the sea. Jamaica, along with the other Caribbean countries, is able to enforce stricter standards on ships calling at its ports and marinas or when they are transiting Jamaican territorial waters.Mr Smith explained: "Although shipping contributes less than ten percent of the pollution of the marine environment, the ability to enforce the stricter standards for the discharge ...
Read more
