History Marine pollution

parties marpol 73/78 convention on marine pollution

although marine pollution has long history, significant international laws counter enacted in twentieth century. marine pollution concern during several united nations conventions on law of sea beginning in 1950s. scientists believed oceans vast had unlimited ability dilute, , render pollution harmless.

in late 1950s , 1960s, there several controversies dumping radioactive waste off coasts of united states companies licensed atomic energy commission, irish sea british reprocessing facility @ windscale, , mediterranean sea french commissariat à l energie atomique. after mediterranean sea controversy, example, jacques cousteau became worldwide figure in campaign stop marine pollution. marine pollution made further international headlines after 1967 crash of oil tanker torrey canyon, , after 1969 santa barbara oil spill off coast of california.

marine pollution major area of discussion during 1972 united nations conference on human environment, held in stockholm. year saw signing of convention on prevention of marine pollution dumping of wastes , other matter, called london convention. london convention did not ban marine pollution, established black , gray lists substances banned (black) or regulated national authorities (gray). cyanide , high-level radioactive waste, example, put on black list. london convention applied waste dumped ships, , did nothing regulate waste discharged liquids pipelines.