The International Council of Cruise Lines' Environmental Efforts
March 22, 2006
In an effort to safeguard the oceans and ensure that cruising remains an environmentally-sound activity, the International Council of Cruise Lines (ICCL) and Conservation International (CI) have announced a joint initiative to develop a unique global map that will highlight sensitive marine areas into cruise line navigational charts. Cruise ships can then refer to these charts in order to avoid discharging wastewater in these precious areas.
CI and the ICCL will convene a task force of experts in charting and navigation, maritime law, and cruise ship operations to identify sensitive marine areas that are hereunto not recognized on navigational charts, such as coral reefs, seamounts, shellfish growing areas, and marine protected areas.
This will further enhance the current operational practices by ICCL member cruise lines to protect the marine environment, which include adhering to no-discharge zones and following a policy of no discharge within four miles of shore unless the ship is using an advanced wastewater purification system.
This all comes as a result of recommendations on wastewater management for the cruise industry developed by an independent science committee comprised of leading marine experts and chaired by world renowned marine biologist Dr. Sylvia Earle.
Sometimes given the nickname, the Sturgeon General, Dr. Earle is a true champion of the oceans. She was named Time magazine's first "hero for the planet" in 1998 for her pioneering research on marine ecosystems. She is an accomplished diver and has led more than 50 expeditions totaling more than 6,000 hours underwater. She even holds the women’s depth record for solo diving at a thousand meters (3,300 feet).
"Healthy oceans are critical for the planet's health and the cruise industry is to be commended for its efforts to implement the recommendations and its support of this ambitious mapping exercise to protect marine biodiversity," said Dr. Earle, chair of the panel and executive director of CI's Global Marine Division.
"The science panel understands individual cruise ships and transportation routes will impact how each recommendation can be carried out. Implementation of this mapping exercise will be an important first step as the industry begins the process of reviewing and integrating the science panel's recommendations into their operations. I am encouraged by the cruise industry's proactive commitment to healthy oceans."
Still, the mapping initiative was only one of 11 recommendations delivered to the cruise industry. A variety of other issues were discussed, such as the treatment and discharge of blackwater, which is wastewater from toilets and medical sinks, and graywater, which is classified as water from sinks, showers, kitchens, and the like; the improvement of passenger education and environmental stewardship; and the use of biodegradable soaps and cleaning agents.
Michale Crye, the president of the ICCL, stated that, "The industry is grateful that these scientists have volunteered their time to aid the industry in identifying practices that will lead to a cleaner marine environment. Our partnership with Conservation International on the wastewater mapping exercise is an example of our continuing commitment to the world's oceans. The ICCL, as well as each of its member lines, will take into consideration all of the independent science panel's recommendations and determine how to best implement them. From our initial review, a majority of the recommendations will be implemented immediately."
Still, it when it comes to the world's oceans, land-based wastewater discharges, storm water runoff, and other marine vessels far exceed cruise ships in terms of environmental impact. The efforts the ICCL is putting into making sure that its cruise lines have an even lesser effect on the oceans is commendable, to say the least.
