Managing international marine pollution is the cornerstone of protecting human health and living marine resources from the equator to the poles. This course examines global programs, supported by international treaties, which aim to manage specific marine pollution problems. When treaties enter into force, it is up to the Contracting Parties to address their responsibilities to prevent, reduce, and control pollution from point sources and nonpoint sources to the best of their regulatory, economic, scientific, and technical abilities. National governments must work collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders, including international organizations, non-governmental organizations, maritime industries, local communities, and the private sector, to achieve successful implementation of innovative ideas, environmental action plans, and sustainable management strategies.

During this course, we will examine cutting edge challenges regarding:

• Strategies managed by the United Nations International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to address global marine pollution problems.

• Actions undertaken by Contracting Parties to the IMO’s 1972 London Convention and 1996 Protocol to the London Convention to promote the effective control of marine pollution, including dredging operations to accommodate larger classes of ships, port expansion programs, and emerging ocean dumping activities in coastal and open ocean areas. We will discuss what practical steps can be taken to prevent pollution when acceptable wastes are dumped at sea.

• Activities implemented by UNEP’s Caribbean Environment Programme and 28 countries in the Wider Caribbean Region to accomplish the goals and objectives of the 1983 Cartagena Convention and its three protocols, with a focus on land-based sources of pollution.

• New global programs under the IMO’s recently adopted Polar Code that regulates safety and environmental protection programs for ships operating in waters around Arctic and the Antarctic regions.