Marine Conservation Legislations and Their

Impact
“The good man is the friend of all living things.” - Mahatma
Gandhi
International Efforts on Marine Conservation
1. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)1982 is the
most comprehensive of the ocean treaties which addresses the issue of
protection by obliging all nations to protect and preserve the marine
environment.
2. Another of the main international conventions for vessel source pollution
is the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships,
1973, as modified by the Protocol of 1978 relating thereto (MARPOL).
3. International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage, 1969
(CLC 1969), and Protocol of 1976, 1984 and 1992.The purpose of the
Convention is to pay compensation to those suffering oil pollution damage
in a state party to the Convention.
Suggestion:
1. There should be a proper legislation dealing with the conservation of the
Marines.
2. The Coastal States should form an Association and periodical meetings
should be conducted. Alongwith that annual reports should be prepared.
3. The Government should provide incentives to the Organisations that are
working for the conservation of Marine.
Indian Principles dealing with Environment Pollution
1. Polluter Pays Principle:The person or entity responsible for inflicting the
environmental damage is required to pay for environmental repair and remediation.The
Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) supported the
polluter-pays idea in the 1970s.
2. Public Trust Doctrine: Private ownership of natural resources like forests and water
bodies is extremely unusual in India. All natural resources belong to the state as their
trustee.
3. Precautionary Principles: In order to protect the environment, the precautionary
approach shall be widely applied by States according to their capabilities. Where there
are threats of serious or irreversible damage, lack of full scientific certainty shall not be
used as a reason for postponing cost-effective measures to prevent environmental
degradation.
Indian Legislations:
The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1973: This legislation primarily deals with preventing and
controlling water pollution in India. It includes provisions for the regulation of discharges of pollutants.
The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986: This act provides a legal framework for the protection and
improvement of the environment. It allows the central government to take measures to protect and conserve
marine and coastal areas.
The Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification, 2011: The coastal and marine areas of India are intended to
be managed and preserved by this law. Within a certain radius of the coastline, it imposes limits on a variety of
activities, including building and industrial operations.
The Hazardous Waste Management Rules, 2016: These regulations control the handling and disposal of
hazardous waste, particularly trash produced by coastal businesses. To avoid marine pollution, hazardous trash
must be disposed of properly.
The Merchant Shipping Act, 1958: This Act has rules for preventing marine pollution and oil spills from ships
and other vessels. The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), for
example, is incorporated into Indian law.
BLUE ECONOMY POLICY
The concept of 'Blue Economy aimed at generating livelihoods and building resilience against
climate change and its concomitant environment challenges inspires the use of seas and oceans
for sustainable development and inclusive growth.

Fisheries, aquaculture, shipping, tourism, renewable energy, and the preservation of marine
biodiversity are just a few of the industries and activities associated with the seas and coastal
areas that are taken into account by India's Blue Economy policy, which emphasizes an integrated
and holistic approach.