NOAA is in London, UK, the week of January 19, 2015, as part of the Pollution Prevention and Response (PPR) subcommittee of the larger Marine Environmental Protection Committee (MEPC) at the International Maritime Organization.

NOAA representatives from OR&R and NMFS serve on the U.S. delegation of 16 people. OR&R is focusing on papers that deal with oil in ice, dispersant use guidelines, and offers of international assistance; NMFS is tracking the issue of ballast water management. Other topics on the overall agenda include black carbon emissions from vessels, ship recycling, and bulk shipment of hazardous and noxious substances.

The PPR subcommittee is the new manifestation of what had been the OPRC-HNS technical working group of the main MEPC. Whereas the former OPRC-HNS technical working group would normally have approximately two dozen nations, the larger PPR has attracted over five dozen nations and hundreds of delegates. Reorganization in the IMO reduced the number of working groups and splinter groups in order to conserve funds. The way ahead portends that PPR, though a much larger body than the former working group, will be the venue by which NOAA scientists contribute to world maritime issues and policy at IMO.

For more information contact Mark.Dix@noaa.gov.

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