[GA, Passed] Ocean Noise Reduction [Complete]

Sil Dorsett

Sil Dorsett

The Belt Collector
-
-
Deputy Speaker
-
-
-
-
TNP Nation
sil_dorsett
Discord
sildorsett

ga.jpg

Ocean Noise Reduction
Category: Environmental | Area of Effect: All Businesses
Proposed by: Imperium Anglorum | Onsite Topic​

Whereas significant increases in the level of ocean noise have occurred over the last century due to the increasing use of oceanic sea routes, the expansion of navies, and fossil fuel exploration:

And whereas the oceans are international territory, meaning that protection thereof is a 'tragedy of the commons' issue which can only be solved by collective regulation:

And whereas it is the case that such noise,
  • massively reduces fish populations, thereby reducing catches, putting strain on fisheries and threatening many coastal fishing industries,
  • even when ambient, drowns out sonic communication, making it difficult for marine life to communicate food sources and locations, breed, etc. creating problems in survivability of adult specimens all whilst limiting marine life habitats,
  • can rupture swim bladders and kill zooplankton larvae, threatening the food sources of other populations along the food chain:
Now, therefore, be it enacted by this august and most excellent World Assembly, by and with the advice and consent of the Delegates and Members, in this present session assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

  1. Member nations shall require that all maritime propulsion systems built or retrofitted after the passage of this resolution (a) include the addition of sound mufflers and (b) comply with international regulations on marine propulsion noise. Ships possessing propulsion systems which do not comply to these requirements shall be assessed a fine, consistent with their noise output, to be included in docking fees.

  2. The World Assembly Nautical Commission shall keep records of data gathered from seismic airburst surveys of the ocean floor. Where necessary to avoid 'free rider' issues, member nations are permitted to grant time-limited exclusive drilling rights to areas in which firms explore in exchange (amongst other things) for data recovered from such surveys. It may also make regulations referenced in section 1, cognisant of trade-offs between economic feasibility and associated reductions in ocean noise.

  3. Member nations shall prohibit blast fishing and the oceanic testing of weapons of mass destruction.

  4. Member nations are encouraged to:
    • refrain from the use of active military sonar outside of wartime,
    • reduce the geographic distribution of shipping lanes and take actions to reduce the geographic spread of shipping so as to increase the area of marine life habitats, and
    • take further actions to reduce the level of ocean noise.

Voting Instructions:
  • Vote For if you want the Delegate to vote For the resolution.
  • Vote Against if you want the Delegate to vote Against the resolution.
  • Vote Abstain if you want the Delegate to abstain from voting on this resolution.
  • Vote Present if you are personally abstaining from this vote.

Detailed opinions with your vote are appreciated and encouraged!



[wavote=the_north_pacific,ga]2017_10_05_ocean_noise_reduction[/wavote]
[wavote=world,ga]2017_10_05_ocean_noise_reduction[/wavote]
 
From the scientific point of view, the proliferation of underwater noise is increasingly worrying, as it represents a significant threat to marine ecosystems and to the survival of species such as cetaceans, which depend on a sophisticated echolocation system for their spatial orientation, feeding and reproduction. The present resolution promotes an international legal framework to reduce noise pollution in the ocean by establishing binding measures against excessive noise in propulsion systems, seismic surveys of seabed exploitation and even military practices while encouraging member nations to consider further actions to reduce ocean noise. All this ensures that sensitive marine habitats, in addition to marine protected areas, are not subject to sources of noise pollution and that environmental impact assessments are conducted.

For these reasons, the Ministry of World Assembly Affairs recommends a vote for this resolution.
 
Against.

The least developed countries are penalized. Shipping (or oil prospecting) is reserved for the most technologically advanced countries.. There is no mention of how technological differences will be solved or whether they will be made available to all countries.
 
artiza:
Shipping (or oil prospecting) is reserved for the most technologically advanced countries.
Click to expand...
How?

Oil prospecting is always going to be reserved to those which are technologically capable – that is going to necessarily the case, since one cannot prospect for oil without the ability to do so. And the jurisdictional ownership of petroleum deposits does not change.
 
Imperium Anglorum:
artiza:
Shipping (or oil prospecting) is reserved for the most technologically advanced countries.
Click to expand...
How?

Oil prospecting is always going to be reserved to those which are technologically capable – that is going to necessarily the case, since one cannot prospect for oil without the ability to do so. And the jurisdictional ownership of petroleum deposits does not change.
Click to expand...
It is my fault. I was thinking about the technological capacity of noise reduction in maritime transport (more than oil prospecting). If the norm is implemented in a global way, only those nations that have the technological capacity will be the only ones capable. The rest of the nations will have to either reach that technological capacity or "buy" that capacity. They must adapt their fleet at a higher cost, so they may be excluded.

I would also like to see a mention the existence of some adaptation period, or possible subsidized tech transfers, or the maximum threshold allowed.
 
Against. The General Assembly is not the most excellent Assembly, that is the Regional Assembly. (also, my WA is not in the region so this ought not be counted in the tally)
 
For

WA nation is in TNP: AtlaeI



[border=#090,1,solid][bgcolor=#090]SD:[/bgcolor] Transfer from an NPA mission. Vote counts.[/border]
 
Voting on this resolution has ended.

Thanks to those nations who cast their votes. Your participation is a great help to the region.

This topic has been locked and sent to the Archives for safekeeping. If you would like this topic to be re-opened for further discussion, please contact the WA Delegate, a Global Moderator, or an Administrator for assistance. Thank you.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top