'Protecting the Gulf of Maine from Land-based Activities: Issues, Priorities, and Actions', Workshop, Saint John, New Brunswick, 27-29 April 1998

摘要

It is well over a decade ago (1985) that the United Nations Environmental Programme, Group of Experts on Scientific Aspects of Marine Pollution (GESAMP), Working Group 26, set out to draft a second review on the state of the marine environment. The review, entitled, 'GESAMP: The State of the Marine Environment', was published as two volumes, UNEP Regional Seas Reports and Studies No. 115 (GESAMP, 1990), and UNEP Regional Seas Reports and Studies No. 114/2, technical annexes to the report on the state of the marine environment. Even earlier reports (Goldberg, 1982) touched on many of the topics covered by The State of the Marine Environment, which does set forth: (1) the human activities affecting the sea; (2) marine contaminants, levels and distribution; and (3) biological effects. Under human activities, the report listed: (1) the development of coastal areas; which was followed by (2) discharges of wastewaters and the introduction of pathogens (microorganisms), nutrients, trace elements, synthetic and petroleum related organic substances, and, finally, particulates/ sediments and heat; (3) disposal of dredged materials, industrial wastes, and sewage sludges (with many of the same contaminants being introduced as with waste-waters), as well as incineration at sea; (4) disposal of plastic litter; (5) 'manipulation' of hydrological cycles; (6) land-use practices, including the use of persistent agrochemicals, deforestation, afforestation, and irrigation; (7) transportation of hazardous substances, including oils, fertilizers, and petrochemicals; (8) exploitation of non-living marine resources; the latter took note, in part, of the effects of fishing gear on the sea floor; and (9) exploitation of living marine resources.