MEPC 79 primarily agreed in principle to designate the North-western Mediterranean Sea as a Particularly Sensitive Sea Area (PSSA). However, the associated protective measures require further development before the formal designation can be finalized.
In more detail, MEPC 79 involved:
- Agreement in Principle for North-western Mediterranean PSSA: The Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) at its 79th session indicated its support for the designation. This is a crucial step in protecting this ecologically significant marine environment.
- Further Development of Protective Measures Required: While agreement was reached in principle, the specific measures designed to protect the area need more work. This could include regulations on shipping routes, waste discharge, and other potential sources of pollution.
- Focus on Environmental Protection: The designation of a PSSA aims to provide an elevated level of protection for areas of the marine environment recognized for their ecological, socio-economic, or scientific significance and vulnerability to damage from international maritime activities.
In summary, MEPC 79 made significant progress towards protecting the North-western Mediterranean Sea by agreeing in principle to its designation as a PSSA, although further refinement of the protective measures is still necessary before full designation.
