8 Criteria for Assessment of Applications for Designation of Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas and the Adoption of Associated Protective Measures
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Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - Resolutions - Assembly - IMO Resolution A.982(24) – Revised Guidelines for the Identification and Designation of Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas – (Adopted on 1 December 2005) - Annex – Revised Guidelines for the Identification and Designation of Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas - 8 Criteria for Assessment of Applications for Designation of Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas and the Adoption of Associated Protective Measures

8 Criteria for Assessment of Applications for Designation of Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas and the Adoption of Associated Protective Measures

  8.1 IMO should consider each application, or amendment thereto, submitted to it by a proposing Member Government on a case-by-case basis to determine whether the area fulfils at least one of the criteria set forth in section 4, the attributes of the area meeting section 4 criteria are vulnerable to damage by international shipping activities as set forth in section 5, and associated protective measures exist or are proposed to prevent, reduce, or eliminate the identified vulnerability.

  8.2 In assessing each proposal, IMO should in particular consider:

  • .1 the full range of protective measures available and determine whether the proposed or existing associated protective measures are appropriate to prevent, reduce, or eliminate the identified vulnerability of the area from international shipping activities;

  • .2 whether such measures might result in an increased potential for significant adverse effects by international shipping activities on the environment outside the proposed PSSA; and

  • .3 the linkage between the recognized attributes, the identified vulnerability, the associated protective measure to prevent, reduce, or eliminate that vulnerability, and the overall size of the area, including whether the size is commensurate with that necessary to address the identified need.

  8.3 The procedure for considering a PSSA application by IMO is as follows:

  • .1 the MEPC should bear primary responsibility within IMO for considering PSSA applications and all applications should first be submitted to the MEPC:

    • .1 the Committee should assess the elements of the proposal against the Guidelines and, as appropriate, should establish a technical group, comprising representatives with appropriate environmental, scientific, maritime, and legal expertise;

    • .2 the proposing Member Government is encouraged to make a presentation of the proposal, along with nautical charts and other supporting information on the required elements for PSSA designation;

    • .3 any technical group formed should prepare a brief report to the Committee summarizing their findings and the outcome of its assessment; and

    • .4 the outcome of the assessment of a PSSA application should be duly reflected in the report of the MEPC;

  • .2 if appropriate following its assessment, the MEPC should designate the area “in principle” and inform the appropriate Sub-Committee, Committee (which could be the MEPC itself), or the Assembly that is responsible for addressing the particular associated protective measures proposed for the area of the outcome of this assessment;

  • .3 the appropriate Sub-Committee or Committee which has received a submission by a proposing Member Government for an associated protective measure should review the proposal to determine whether it meets the procedures, criteria, and other requirements of the legal instrument under which the measure is proposed. The Sub-Committee may seek the advice of the MEPC on issues pertinent to the application;

  • .4 the MEPC should not designate a PSSA until after the associated protective measures are considered and approved by the pertinent Sub-Committee, Committee, or Assembly. If the associated protective measures are not approved by the pertinent IMO body, then the MEPC may reject the PSSA application entirely or request that the proposing Member Government submit new proposals for associated protective measures. A proper record of the proceedings should be included in the report of the MEPC;

  • .5 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 MSC and MEPC and provide 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;

  • .6 if the application is rejected, the MEPC shall notify the proposing Member Government, provide a statement of reasons for its decision and, if appropriate, request the Member Government to submit additional information; and

  • .7 after approval by the appropriate Sub-Committee, Committee, or, where necessary, the Assembly of the associated protective measures, the MEPC may designate the area as a PSSA.

  8.4 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 associated protective measures. Member Governments which have ships operating in the area of the designated 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 designation with the associated protective measures, should also bring any concerns and proposals for additional measures or modifications to any associated protective measure or the PSSA itself to IMO.

  8.5 After the designation of a PSSA and its associated protective measures, IMO should ensure that the effective date of implementation is as soon as possible based on the rules of IMO and consistent with international law.

  8.6 IMO should, in assessing applications for designation 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.

Parent topic: Annex – Revised Guidelines for the Identification and Designation of Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas
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