Laws governing underwater heritage explained

Government came one step closer to being compliant with international conventions governing the use and protection of the oceans and to ensure that ships and other vessels “don’t do as they like” in Barbados’ waters.

This was outlined by Minister of Tourism and International Transport Ian Gooding-Edghill as he introduced the Maritime and Underwater Heritage Bill, the latest in a suite of legislative actions relating to activities in the island’s waters.

The St Michael West Central Member of Parliament explained the context surrounding the new legislation, noting that in 2018, the International Maritime Organisation conducted an audit of the local conditions and  “a number of deficiencies” were uncovered that needed to be addressed.

“As a responsible government. . . we are moving with haste to correct those deficiencies and to ensure we build out this sector. And effectively,  the legislation that we are bringing . . . speaks to the issues of how you regulate ships, consistent with the International Maritime Organisation standards as well as their conventions,” Gooding- Edghill told the Lower House on Tuesday.

International Maritime Organisation features the overarching framework known as the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seas, Gooding-Edghill noted that it was effectively the Constitution of the Oceans.

“What the bill was designed to do was to comprehensively manage coastal state activities specific to maritime and cultural heritage, to ensure a holistic legislative framework, underpinned by policy considerations, and of course, best practises embedded in the United Nations Convention of Law of the Seas, United Nations UNESCO heritage regimes, as well as best practices.”

Describing the issues covered in the legislation as “technical”, the Tourism and International Transport Minister said the bill commits Barbados to a number of obligations “to prevent, reduce and control pollution of the maritime environment from all sources of pollution, including vessels”.

The island is also expected to introduce frameworks that prevent accidents, protect the environment from pollution related to devices used in exploration or exploitation of natural resources of the seabed and the subsoil.

According to the tourism and international transport minister: “The bill would require persons engaged in tourism-related activities directed at maritime heritage to promote responsible . . .  practices that will minimise marine environmental damage and reduce the carbon footprint. Of course, it would positively connect people and nature through sustainable tourism and, of course, encourage solidarity through tourism by undertaking a number of activities aimed at helping local coastal and maritime communities.”

In addition, the minister shared that the legislation was designed to improve business and service excellence in Barbados by consolidating into one law, various kinds of maritime heritage and making it easier for locals, visitors and other persons with commercial interests to utilise the resources in a sustainable way  and to operate under an inclusive set of laws.

“It is important that we pursue this path because it is absolutely necessary that we have a one-stop operation to facilitate the advancement of any marine and underwater activities within our territorial waters,” the St Michael West Central MP pointed out.

(IMC1)

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