Northwest Pacific Action Plan
Pollution Monitoring Regional Activity Center.

Regional Overview

on River and Direct Inputs
of Contaminants into the Marine and Coastal
 Environment in NOWPAP Region

Download: RDI2006.pdf (729Kb)
Download: RDI2006.doc (622Kb)

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Regional Overview

on River and Direct Inputs
of Contaminants into the Marine and Coastal
 Environment in NOWPAP Region
POMRAC, Vladivostok, Russian Federation 2006
POMRAC Technical Report No. 4

Foreword

The Global Programme of Action (GPA) for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-based Activities was adopted in 1995 and since then significant results have been achieved. Because about 80% of pollutants entering the marine environment originate from land-based activities, the GPA implementation is supported by more than 100 Governments, the European Commission and many international and non-governmental organizations. The comprehensive, multi-sectoral approach of the GPA reflects the desire of Governments to strengthen the collaboration and coordination of all agencies with mandates relevant to the impact of land-based activities on the marine environment, through their participation in a global programme. The Second Intergovernmental Review Meeting (16-20 October 2006, Beijing, People’s Republic of China) will consider the status of GPA implementation and future actions. Several pollutant categories are covered by the GPA including sewage, persistent organic pollutants, heavy metals, oils (hydrocarbons) and nutrients.

This Overview on River and Direct Inputs of Contaminants to the Marine and Coastal Environment of the Northwest Pacific has been prepared by the Pollution Monitoring Regional Activity Center (POMRAC) of NOWPAP. The Overview can be considered as a NOWPAP contribution to the GPA implementation in the Northwest Pacific region. From the data and information presented in this document, NOWPAP member states can draw conclusions and recommendations regarding further actions necessary to protect their shared marine and coastal environment. Some suggestions on methodologies of pollutant monitoring require attention of member states as well.

Future activities of NOWPAP POMRAC will include the Integrated Coastal Area and River Basin Management (ICARM) and preparation of the State of Marine Environment Report. These activities will also hopefully contribute to the GPA implementation and, thus, to the protection of the marine and coastal environment in the Northwest Pacific region.