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Alaskan Cruise Lines - Pollution Prevention

Environmental Management System (EMS)

An EMS provides a framework for practices, procedures and processes to assist with management of an environmental organization, in which communication among all stakeholders is a key component (Environment Canada, 2004). Many EMS strategies are modeled after the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), under the 14000 series of environmental standards and guidelines for evaluating environmental practices.

EMS and Alaskan Cruise Lines

A comprehensive, integrated management program is needed between the International Council of Cruise Lines (ICCL), and the United States and Canadian governments to implement a water pollution prevention program to protect the marine environment. Stakeholders include the following: federal, provincial and state, and municipal governments, non-government organizations (NGOs) and environmental protection agencies, Aboriginal peoples, cruise companies, the tourism industry, fishing industries, and coastal communities. Management between and within each level of involvement is necessary to ensure full participation in the program.

Facts

An average size cruise ship produces on average between 30,280 and 79,500 litres of black water or sewage a day
Hazardous wastes produced on a ship are chemicals from photofinishing, dry cleaning, wastes from print shops, ship maintenance cleaning solutions, extra paint, cleaning supplies, fluorescent and mercury vapour light bulbs, and batteries
Air emissions per day are equivalent to 12,000 cars
Ships dispose of waste only 3 miles from the coastline

Environmental Impacts

Eutrophication
Contaminated Seafood
Food chain contaminated from eating ill seafood, such as bears, birds, and other marine species
Invasive species
Closed beaches

International Council of Cruise Lines (ICCL)

The ICCL works in conjunction with the Center for Environmental Leadership in Business (CELB) to protect the marine environment and prevent further degradation to sensitive ecosystems. Such programs include creating maps of sensitive regions that correspond with navigational charts to prevent wastewater discharge. ICCL also works with marine scientists in creating best management practices. The Ocean Conservation and Tourism Alliance (OCTA) was launched by the ICCL and the CELB to improve wastewater management practices and improve environmental education and awareness among passengers and crew members.

The ICCL Environmental Standards are set forth by the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Cruise Ships (MARPOL), and are also concurrent with the International Maritime Organization and the Law of the Sea. Each country has jurisdiction over vessels operating in their waters and are in compliance with those rules and regulations as well. Each member involved is committed to the conservation and protection of the marine ecosystem in which cruise ships sail.

Pollution Prevention Guidelines for the Operation of Cruise Ships Under Canadian Jurisdiction

United States Environmental Protection Agency

Case Studies

Gulf of Maine Program- Participatory Approach or check out this publication:

HILDEBRAND, L., PEBBLES, V., and FRASER, D. 2002 ‘Cooperative ecosystem management across the Canada–US border: approaches and experiences of transboundary programs in the Gulf of Maine, Great Lakes and Georgia Basin/Puget Sound’ Ocean & Coastal Management 45 (6-7), 421-457

The Baltic Sea- Legislative Approach