CI and the ICCL will convene a task force of experts in charting and navigation, maritime law, ship operations, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to identify sensitive marine areas such as coral reefs, seamounts, shellfish growing areas, and marine protected areas that currently are not recognized on navigation charts. This mapping project will further enhance current operational practices by ICCL member lines to protect the environment. These practices include adhering to no-discharge zones and following a policy of no discharge within four miles of shore (unless the ship is using an advanced wastewater purification system). The task force will explore integrating these zones into the electronic navigation charts used by each cruise ship. Initially, the project will focus on the high traffic areas as identified by a GIS study commissioned by the science panel.
"Healthy oceans are critical for the planet's health and the cruise industry is to be commended for its efforts to implement the recommendations and its support of this ambitious mapping exercise to protect marine biodiversity," said Dr. Sylvia Earle, chair of the science panel and executive director of CI's Global Marine Division. "The science panel understands individual cruise ships and transportation routes will impact how each recommendation can be carried out. Implementation of this mapping exercise will be an important first step as the industry begins the process of reviewing and integrating the science panel's recommendations into their operations. I am encouraged by the cruise industry's proactive commitment to healthy oceans."
The mapping initiative was one of 11 recommendations delivered to the cruise industry by the seven-member independent science panel. The recommendations looked at a variety of issues including:
- Treatment and discharge of blackwater (ie, wastewater generated from toilets and medical sinks) and graywater (ie, wastewater from sinks, showers, laundries and kitchens);
- Continued installation and monitoring of advanced wastewater purification systems (AWPS), as well as independent evaluation of AWPS through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Environmental Technology Verification Program;
- Protocols for disposal of sewage bio-residues (sludge);
- Improving source control and continued use of biodegradable soaps, shampoos, detergents and cleaning agents;
- Improving passenger education about environmental stewardship by providing pre-boarding and onboard literature about waste management practices.
The full list of recommendations, as well as other supporting material developed by the science panel can be found online at www.celb.org and www.iccl.org.
"The industry is grateful that these scientists have volunteered their time to aid the industry in identifying practices that will lead to a cleaner marine environment. Our partnership with Conservation International on the wastewater mapping exercise is an example of our continuing commitment to the world's oceans," said Michael Crye, ICCL president. "The ICCL, as well as each of its member lines, will take into consideration all of the independent science panel's recommendations and determine how to best implement them. From our initial review, a majority of the recommendations will be implemented immediately."
The world's oceans face a variety of environmental impacts from land-based wastewater discharges, storm water runoff and marine vessels. It is recognized that wastewater discharges from these other sources far exceeds that of cruise ships, and the science panel supports the current efforts of the cruise industry to minimize its own impacts on the marine environment.
"We recognize the cruise industry's continued leadership to protect the world's oceans while serving their passengers through their commitment to the science panel recommendations," said Glenn Prickett, executive director of Conservation International's Center for Environmental Leadership in Business. "This global mapping initiative demonstrates how the conservation community can work with the tourism industry to develop solutions that contribute to conservation."
The volunteer, independent science panel comprised of leading marine experts, was convened in March 2004 by the Ocean Conservation and Tourism Alliance – a partnership between CI and the ICCL to help protect biodiversity in top cruise destinations – to evaluate the management practices for cruise ship wastewater discharges and to recommend guidelines for good and improved practices for the industry.
The seven-member panel gathered, reviewed and synthesized a wide-range of available scientific data. The panel supplemented this research with an intensive series of interviews, stakeholder dialogues and discharge mapping exercises to identify and better understand the cruise industry's current waste management practices.
In addition to chairwoman Dr. Sylvia Earle, the science panel includes experts from various geographic locales and scientific disciplines including: Dr. Marlin Atkinson, professor, Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology; Dr. Adolphe O. Debrot, research department head, Carmabi Foundation; Dr. Thomas E. Lacher, Jr., executive director, Center for Applied Biodiversity Science, Conservation International; Charles D. McGee, laboratory supervisor Orange County, California Sanitation District; Dr. Ellen Prager, president, Earth2Ocean, Inc.; and Dr. Andrew Rogerson, professor and associate dean, Nova Southeastern University.
CI today also released a new publication, From Ship to Shore: Sustainable Stewardship in Cruise Destinations, highlighting cruise lines, local governments, civil society organizations and shore operators that are taking proactive measures to ensure a sustainable future for cruise tourism while preserving cruise destinations.
About the organizations:
Conservation International (CI) applies innovations in science, economics, policy and community participation to protect the Earth's richest regions of plant and animal diversity in the biodiversity hotspots, high-biodiversity wilderness areas and key marine ecosystems. With headquarters in Washington, D.C., CI works in more than 40 countries on four continents. For more information about CI, visit www.conservation.org.
The International Council of Cruise Lines (ICCL) represents the interests of 16 passenger cruise lines that call on major ports in the United States and abroad. ICCL member lines include: Carnival Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruises, Costa Cruise Line N.V., Crystal Cruises, Cunard Line, Disney Cruise Line, Holland America Line, NCL America, Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, Seabourn Cruise Line, SeaDream Yacht Club, Silversea Cruises and Windstar Cruises. These vessels account for approximately 90% of the North American passenger cruise line industry.