6.2 Compliance Facilitation and Enforcement

  6.2.1 Ships should inform their flag State of ports in foreign countries Party to Annex V which do not have adequate port reception facilities for garbage. This can provide a basis for advising responsible governments of possible problems and calling the Organization's attention to possible issues of compliance. An acceptable reporting format is reproduced in MEPC.1/Circ.671, along with the procedure for submitting and handling such reports.

  6.2.2 Governments should develop a strategy to assess or audit port reception facilities under their jurisdiction. Detailed guidance in this regard is provided by the Organization. At a minimum, periodic inspection of the reception facilities is recommended and consideration should be given to establishing a documentation system (e.g. letters or certificates) stating that adequate facilities are available for receiving ship-generated garbage.

  6.2.2.1 Governments are encouraged to improve the adequacy and efficiency of existing port reception facilities for fishing gear.

  6.2.3 Governments should identify appropriate agencies for enforcement and facilitating compliance and provide legal authority, adequate training, funding and equipment to incorporate the goals and objectives under Annex V regulations into their responsibilities. In those cases where customs or agricultural officials are responsible for receiving and inspecting garbage, governments should ensure that the inspections are facilitated.

  6.2.4 Governments should consider the use of garbage management reporting systems. Such reporting systems may provide valuable data for measuring and monitoring the impacts of garbage regulations and management and identifying trends over time. A reporting system could be based on the information in garbage record books (where applicable) or ship's log. In addition advance notification forms and garbage reception receipts could provide input into the garbage reporting system.

  6.2.5 A garbage management reporting system may also include reporting of discharges of garbage. Particular attention should be given to the reporting of any discharge in special areas; discharge at port reception facilities; and discharge of garbage into the sea. Reports should include the date, time, location by latitude and longitude, or name of port, type of garbage and estimated amount of garbage discharged. Particular attention should be given to the reporting of:

• .1 the loss of fishing gear;

• .2 the discharge of cargo residues;

• .3 any discharge in special areas;

• .4 discharge at port reception facilities; and

• .5 discharge of garbage into the sea, in those limited situations, where permitted.

  6.2.6 The issuance of documents or receipts (i.e. IMO standard forms) by port reception facilities might also be used in maintaining a garbage management reporting system.