Objectives: To protect the Mediterranean Sea from pollution resulting from exploration and exploitation activities.
Summary of provisions: Parties agree to take all appropriate measures to prevent, abate, combat and control pollution in the Protocol Area resulting from activities concerning exploration and exploitation of the resources (activities) (art.3). All activities in the Protocol Area are to be subject to the prior written authorisation for exploration or exploitation from the competent authority (art.4.1). Each Party undertakes to prescribe sanctions to be imposed for breach of obligations arising out of the Protocol, for non-observance of the national laws and regulations implementing the Protocol, or for non-fulfilment of the specific conditions attached to the authorisation (art.7). Parties undertake to impose a general obligation upon operators to use the best available, environmentally effective and economically appropriate techniques and to observe internationally accepted standards regarding wastes, as well as the use, storage and discharge of harmful or noxious substances and materials (art.8). A Party may regulate, limit or prohibit the use of chemicals for the activities in accordance with guidelines to be adopted by the Parties (art.9.2). Parties further undertake to formulate and adopt common standards for the disposal of oil and oily mixtures from installations, and for the use and disposal of drilling fluids and drill cuttings, into the Protocol Area (art. 10, 1-2). They are to carry out strict control of discharge of sewage (arts.11, 12, 13).
The Protocol also contains provisions concerning inter alia safety measures to protect human life and the environment (art.15), monitoring of and reporting on the effects of the activities on the environment (art.19), protection of the areas defined in the Protocol concerning Mediterranean Specially Protected Areas (art.21) and measures concerning transboundary pollution (art.26).
Finally, Parties undertake to cooperate inter alia in developing international rules, standards and recommended practices and procedures (art.23.1) in providing scientific and technical assistance to developing countries (art.24) and in formulating and adopting appropriate rules and procedures for the determination of liability and compensation from damage resulting from the activities dealt with in the Protocol (art.27).
(Source: IUCN ELC, 08.2005, based on UNEP Register of International Treaties and Other Agreements in the Field of the Environment, 1996)