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GESAMP
is a multidisciplinary body of independent experts nominated by the Sponsoring
Organisations. These are: the United Nations; the UN Environment Programme
(UNEP); the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO); the Intergovernmental
Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO; the World Meteorological Organisation
(WMO), the World Health Organisation (WHO); the International Maritime
Organization (IMO);, and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
GESAMP was
established in 1967 by a number of United Nations Agencies. Its purpose
was to provide advice to the agencies and, through them their Member Governments
on a problem that was just beginning to be recognized as a major threat.
Since then the Joint Group has met regularly and in 1993 its role was
extended to cover all scientific aspects on the prevention, reduction
and control of the degradation of the marine environment to sustain life
support systems, resources and amenities.
The functions
of the Joint Group are:
- to provide
advice relating to the scientific aspects of marine environmental protection
to the sponsoring organizations on specific questions referred to it;
and to the other organizations of the United Nations system and to Member
States of the United Nations organizations on particular problems referred
to it through a sponsoring organization;
- to prepare
periodic reviews and assessments of the state of the marine environment
and to identify problems and areas requiring special attention.
Such advice
is given on the scientific aspects of marine environmental protection,
especially those of an interdisciplinary nature, including pollution of
the sea as a result of the operation of ships and other equipment in the
marine environment; of sea-bed exploration and exploitation; of waste
disposal at sea, of discharges of wastes through rivers, land run-off
and pipelines; and the pollution of the sea through the atmosphere. The
main subject areas on which advice is given include, inter alia:
- assessment
of the potential effects of marine pollutants;
- scientific
bases for research and monitoring programmes;
- international
exchange of scientific information relevant to the assessment and control
of marine pollution;
- scientific
principles for the control and management of marine pollution sources;
- scientific
bases and criteria relating to legal instruments and other measures
for the prevention, control or abatement of marine environmental degradation.
Each Sponsoring
Organisation nominates one to four experts according to its interests
in the substantive work for the session. Experts appointed to the Group
should act in their individual capacities.
GESAMP activities
include the preparation of an assessment report, "The State of the Marine
Environment: Current Major Issues and Emerging Problems". This considers
the degradation of coastal ecosystems and habitats, over-fishing and fishing
of so-called "under-utilised species", threats from alien species, aquaculture
as a source of environmental problems, pressure from tourism and a reduction
of marine biodiversity. The report is expected to be published during
the year 2000.
Work is
under way preparing a report on land-based sources and activities affecting
the quality and use of marine, coastal and related freshwater environments.
The report reviews, among others, available information on the input of
nutrients, heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants (POPs) to the
seas through the atmosphere. Preparations are also under way for a global
report on the state of the marine environment to 2002.
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