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Implementing the World´s 1 st PSSA

Implementing the World´s 1 st PSSA. Lessons from the Great Barrier Reef Steve Raaymakers EcoStrategic Consultants. The Great Barrier Reef. World’s largest coral reef complex Over 2000 km long More than 350,000 km 2 in area Over 3000 individual reefs More than 600 islands

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Implementing the World´s 1 st PSSA

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  1. Implementing the World´s 1st PSSA Lessons from the Great Barrier Reef Steve Raaymakers EcoStrategic Consultants

  2. The Great Barrier Reef • World’s largest coral reef complex • Over 2000 km long • More than 350,000 km2 in area • Over 3000 individual reefs • More than 600 islands • Associated seagrass, mangrove and other marine communities • Rare and endangered marine reptiles and mammals • Many human uses

  3. Great Barrier Reef Cairns Brisbane Europe Perth Sydney

  4. Extremely High Biodiversity

  5. Human use of the Reef • Commercial / recreational fisheries • Tourism / recreation • Aboriginal / traditional uses • Scientific research • Military / defence activities • Shipping / ports • Billions of dollars to the Aus economy

  6. Management of the Reef • Declared a Marine Park (multiple use) by Aus Govt. in 1975 (World’s largest). • Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1981 (meets all criteria). • Declared a PSSA by IMO in1990

  7. Shipping in the Reef “Rocks and shoals are always dangerous to the mariner, even where their situation has been ascertained. They are more dangerous in seas which have never before been navigated, and in this part of the globe they are more dangerous than any other.” (Captain James Cook, navigating the GBR, August 1770)

  8. Shipping in the Reef • Ten major ports within the Reef • Vital to the economy

  9. Shipping in the Reef • Plus transit shipping not calling at Qld ports (Right of Innocent Passage, Freedom of Navigation and International Straits) • 1990’s: 2000 ships / yr • 2006: 7000+ ships / yr • Increasing bulk exports to China, India etc • Increasing oil imports from Indonesia / Timor Sea

  10. Shipping in the Reef • An average of one shipping incident (grounding / collision) per year • No major pollution discharges so far • Threat of a major incident remains major concern • Other ships threats such as invasive species

  11. The GBR PSSA • Backed by World Heritage and other significant status • Concerted diplomatic campaign • Inclusion of shipping industry • Proposed Associated Protective Measures drawn from existing practice, and practicable: • Compulsory pilotage • Mandatory ship reporting (REEFREP) – later Vessel Traffic Service (REEF-VTS)

  12. Compulsory Pilotage • All vessels over 70 metres in length and all tankers ( oil or chemical products or hazardous goods), must take a pilot in compulsory pilotage areas of the Marine Park: • Inner route north of Cairns to Cape York • Hydrographers Passage • Whitsunday Islands • Pilotage exemptions involve a technical assessment of the vessel and an assessment of the qualifications and experience of the master and navigational officers. • Not fully effective – most incidents have been with pilot on board

  13. REEFREP / REEF -VTS • Single VTS Centre • Mandatory reporting at set points via Immarsat-C or VHF • Dependant on info provided by ship • Surface picture can be erroneous • APM / AIS a major advancement • REEF-VTS strongly welcomed by the shipping industry • Constitutes THE major improvement to safety in the GBR

  14. Other Measures - MARPOL • Nearest land defined as outer edge of Reef • MARPOL discharge distances measured seaward from outer edge • Zero discharges within the GBR

  15. Other Measures - Navaids

  16. Other Measures – Response Plans • REEFPLAN adopted 1980`s • Regular risk assessments, exercises, training etc • Limitations of response more severe in GBR than elsewhere • Focus on prevention (value of PSSA)

  17. Other Proposed Measures • Ban ‘Transit’ Shipping (Right of Innocent Passage, Freedom of Navigation and International Straits) • Ban Single Hull Tankers (capability of World fleet to service Australia)

  18. Chronology of international measures in GBR

  19. Lessons & Conclusions • ALWAYS worked through IMO – International Consensus vs unilateral action (Right of Innocent Passage, Freedom of Navigation and International Straits) • PSSA proposal supported by pre-existing significant designations of the area (e.g. World Heritage). • All stakeholders ‘on-board’ BEFORE proposal submitted to IMO. • APM’s drawn from existing, proven, practicable measures. • APM-s not overly expensive for industry – and/or provide clear benefits to the industry itself.

  20. Lessons & Conclusions • Economic incentives used rather than regulatory dis-incentives. • Industry and other stakeholders involved in ongoing implementation, management and review. • PSSA remains ‘dynamic’ with APMs refined / developed / improved as situation, technology and industry change.

  21. Thank you Thank You Some images / content provided by James Ashton - GBRMPA

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