1902 |
Charter of the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea. Revised 1964, 1970. |
1910 |
International Commission for the Scientific Exploration of the Mediterranean (ICSEM) |
1969 |
Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Pollution (GESAMP) |
1971 |
Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, Especially for Waterfowl (Wetlands or Ramsar Convention). Its "wise use" principle anticipates the concept of sustainable development. Led to the development of the protected areas concept. |
1971 |
Man and Biosphere Programme (MAB), launched as a program of UNESCO. Contributed to the development of protected areas. |
1972 |
Stockholm Conference on Human Environment. Defined the right of mankind to a healthy environment. |
1972 |
Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage (World Heritage Convention). Covers both natural and cultural areas of outstanding value. |
1972 |
Convention for the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter (London Convention) |
1973 |
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Embodies an ecosystem-based approach. |
1973 |
FAO Technical Conference on Fisheries Management and Development: stressed overfishing, overcapitalization, environmental degradation (as a risk higher than fishing!) and the need for precautionary, anticipatory and experimental fisheries management. Proposed to frame fisheries management into ocean management (Garcia, 1992). |
1979 |
Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS or Bonn Convention). Priority work on marine turtles and small cetaceans. |
1979 |
Indian Ocean whale sanctuary |
1980 |
Commission on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) |
1981 |
Convention for Co-operation in the Protection and Development of the Marine and Coastal Environment of the West and Central African Region |
1981 |
Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment and Coastal Areas of the South East Pacific |
1982 |
UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. The comprehensive framework for marine environmental protection and resources conservation. |
1982 |
Protocol on Specially Protected Areas |
1983 |
Convention for the Protection and Development of the Marine Environment of the Wider Caribbean Region |
1984 |
Action Plan for Biosphere Reserves (MAB Programme of IOC) |
1984-87 |
World Commission on Environment and Development |
1985 |
International Wildlife Coalition moratorium on whaling |
1985 |
Regional Convention for the Conservation of the Marine Environment of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden Environment |
1985 |
Convention for the Protection, Management and Development of the Marine and Coastal Environment of the Eastern African Region |
1986 |
Convention for the Protection and Development of Natural Resources and Environment of the South Pacific Region |
1987 |
Publication of the Brundlandt Report (Our Common Future). A report of the World Commission on Environment and Development. |
1989-91 |
UN General Assembly Resolutions on Large-Scale Pelagic Driftnet Fishing and its Impacts on the Living Marine Resources of the World's Oceans and Seas |
1989 |
Exxon Valdez oil spill |
1990 |
Regional Seas Caribbean Protocol on Specially Protected Areas and Species |
1990 |
Convention for a North Pacific Marine Science Organization (PISCES) |
1991 |
MARPOL Guidelines for the Designation of Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas (PSSAs) |
1992 |
UNCED Declaration and Agenda 21 |
1992 |
Convention on Biological Diversity |
1992 |
Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North East Atlantic |
1992 |
Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area |
1992 |
Convention on the Protection of the Black Sea Against Pollution. Followed by the Black Sea Environment Programme (BSEP) in 1994. |
1994 |
Code of Practice on the Introductions and Transfers of Marine Organisms. Supersedes earlier versions of 1973, 1979 and 1990. |
1994 |
Establishment of the Antarctic whale sanctuary |
1995 |
Global Programme of Action on Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-Based Activities (GPA) |
1995 |
Agreement Relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks (Fish Stocks Agreement or FSA) |
1995 |
FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries |
1995 |
UNESCO Seville Strategy and the Statutory Framework for the World Network of Biosphere Reserves |
1995 |
Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment and the Coastal Region of the Mediterranean. Call for protected areas. Supersedes the 1976 Convention. |
1997 |
International Guidelines for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water to Minimize the Transfer of Harmful Aquatic Organisms and Pathogens |
1999 |
ITLOS decision regarding Pacific Southern Bluefin Tuna |
1999 |
FAO International Plans of Action (IPOAs): (1) To reduce the incidental catch of seabirds in long-line fisheries; (2) For the conservation and management of sharks; (3) For the management of fishing capacity. |
2001 |
Draft legally-binding instrument to prevent the harmful effects of the use of anti-fouling systems on ships. |
2001 |
FAO International Plan of Action to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing |
[18] Information selected
mainly from Kimball (2001) |