2. www.eco-strategic.com Implementing the World´s 1 st PSSA Lessons from the Great Barrier Reef Steve Raaymakers EcoStrategic Consultants

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

4. www.eco-strategic.com Brisbane Sydney Cairns Great Barrier Reef Europe Perth

5. www.eco-strategic.com Extremely High Biodiversity

6. www.eco-strategic.com Human use of the Reef Commercial / recreational fisheries Commercial / recreational fisheries Tourism / recreation Tourism / recreation Aboriginal / traditional uses Aboriginal / traditional uses Scientific research Scientific research Military / defence activities Military / defence activities Shipping / ports Shipping / ports Billions of dollars to the Aus economy Billions of dollars to the Aus economy

7. www.eco-strategic.com Management of the Reef Declared a Marine Park (multiple use) by Aus Govt. in 1975 (World’s largest). 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 World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1981 (meets all criteria). Declared a PSSA by IMO in 1990 Declared a PSSA by IMO in 1990

8. www.eco-strategic.com 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)

9. www.eco-strategic.com Shipping in the Reef Ten major ports within the Reef Vital to the economy

10. www.eco-strategic.com Shipping in the Reef (Right of Innocent Passage, Freedom of Navigation and International Straits) 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

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

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

13. www.eco-strategic.com 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: 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 YorkInner route north of Cairns to Cape York Hydrographers PassageHydrographers Passage Whitsunday IslandsWhitsunday Islands Pilotage exemptions involve a technical assessment of the vessel and an assessment of the qualifications and experience of the master and navigational officers. 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 Not fully effective – most incidents have been with pilot on board

14. www.eco-strategic.com 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

15. www.eco-strategic.com Other Measures - MARPOL Nearest land defined as outer edge of Reef Nearest land defined as outer edge of Reef MARPOL discharge distances measured seaward from outer edge MARPOL discharge distances measured seaward from outer edge Zero discharges within the GBR Zero discharges within the GBR

16. www.eco-strategic.com Other Measures - Navaids

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

18. www.eco-strategic.com Other Proposed Measures Ban ‘Transit’ Shipping Ban ‘Transit’ Shipping ( Right of Innocent Passage, Freedom of Navigation and International Straits) Ban Single Hull Tankers Ban Single Hull Tankers (capability of World fleet to service Australia)

19. www.eco-strategic.com Chronology of international measures in GBR ProvisionDateIntrument Outer edge of the GBR defined as ‘nearest land’. 1971 OILPOL[1][1] MARPOL Annexes, I, IV and V IMO Doc MEPC[2] 37/12/3.[2] Area-to-be-Avoided in Capricorn Bunker Group. 1978 SOLAS General Provisions on Ships Routeing. Recommended pilotage areas in the GBR 1987 IMO Resolution A.619(15). Declaration of the GBR as a Particularly Sensitive Sea Area (PSSA). 1990 IMO MEPC resolution 44(30). Compulsory pilotage areas in the GBR.1991 IMO MEPC resolution 45(30). The Great Barrier Reef and Torres Strait Ship Reporting System (ReefRep). 1996 International Convention for Safety of Life at Sea Chapter V regulation 8-1.

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

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

22. www.eco-strategic.com Thank you Thank You Some images / content provided by James Ashton - GBRMPA