CEDA appeals for input on review of London Convention
The Central Dredging Association (CEDA) reports that the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) is currently undertaking a global review of dredged sediment disposal and is seeking to get all information on disposal activities from countries around the world.
The London Convention and Protocol/ IMO Circular which details the project and requests the information needed can be downloaded from the CEDA website (www.dredging.org).CEDA, as an official observer to the London Convention and Protocol, has been requested to assist in collecting as much information as possible about disposal activities.
Information is requested from both Contracting Parties to the London Convention/Protocol that has not reported any disposal data to the LC/LP Secretariat and importantly from non-Contracting Parties to those instruments.
Even partial information from countries will be useful, such as information covering some major ports.
The report will be focused on the period 2000-2005. For Contracting Parties a spreadsheet can be also be downloaded from the CEDA website, which indicates where there are gaps in the reporting of disposal data over the period 2000 to 2005.
A CEDA spokesperson said, ‘You will see that the IMO Circular letter uses the word ‘dumping’ as it covers wastes or other matter including fish waste and inert inorganic geological material that may be placed at sea.
‘Dredged material is included in this list, however WODA/CEDA would like to see all references to dredged material in this context referred to as ‘disposal’ and are currently campaigning to change this in the conventions.’
Information can be sent by 31 January 2009 to Dr A C Birchenough, Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS), Lowestoft Laboratory, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft
Suffolk NR33 0HT, UK. E-mail: andrew.birchenough@cefas.co.uk
