Marine Environmental Management

Role Overview

Global maritime communities have given top priority to this problem that, today, cannot be ignored. It has perhaps been inevitable that Man’s superiority among species led to the exploitation of animals for his own purposes; and perhaps the same inevitability has led to his environmental exploitation. The result of ignoring the problems of pollution and habitat destruction has been to hazard the welfare and conservation of marine mammals and birds, and the well-being of life in the water-column upon which they depend for their survival. The difference now is that international regulation is imposing ever-greater demands on marine operations to protect fauna and flora and an increasing weight of public pressure in countries throughout the world is forcing the subjects of welfare and biodiversity to the top of political agendas.

Why Seafarers Are Well Suited

The powers of coastal States to arrest any person or to conduct any investigation in connection with any environmental crime committed on board the ship during its passage, demands problem-solving strategies that cannot be fully met by scientists but need the expert professional input of a seafarer who is fully conversant with the nature of the risk in the context of prevention and mitigation.

Key Skills Required

Resultant issues emerge which can be resolved by the commitment of an experienced seafarer:

• Research and implement effective solutions to improve on board watch-keeping and avoid marine mammals and birds;
• Apply due diligence when passage planning, contacting the relevant organisations before leaving to identify sensitive habitats and species at risk;
• Involve marine traffic coordinators to make route and departure date adjustments if necessary;
• Prepare an emergency protocol in the event of an incident.