Marine Pollution

Marine pollution needs to be control for the survival of many ocean life. There are many efforts by many nations to control marine pollution to encourage ocean life diversity. There are protected areas, regional sea programs, and in integrated coastal zone management. Marine pollution are also the subject of several international treaties and US laws.

The convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter deals with marine pollution generated on land. This convention was first known as the London Dumping Convention or LDC and was subsequently known as the London Convention 1972. The treaty prohibits ocean dumping of wastes containing significant amounts of certain dangerous to ocean substances that are listed on a 'black list'.

Wastes containing substances that are listed on the 'grey list' can be dumped into the ocean only with a special permit. This ocean dumping permit will only be granted if the responsible government agency has determined that the disposal into the ocean would not present a threatto the ocean life and marine environment. Any wastes containing no listed substances require a general permit.