Marine Protected Areas (MPAs): Mandatory Ship Reporting Systems

Reef scene with school of bluestripe snapper (Lutjanus kasmira)
Reef scene with school of bluestripe snapper (Lutjanus kasmira). (NOAA Photo Library)

A mandatory ship reporting may be adopted by International Maritime Organization (IMO) to contribute to the safety of life at sea, the safety and efficiency of navigation and/or the protection of the marine environment. In such areas, ships are required to report in to a shore-based authority and such authority shall have the capability of interaction with participating ships. The IMO instruments providing for the establishment of ship reporting systems are the Safety of Life at Sea Convention, Chapter V, regulation 11 and the Guidelines and Criteria for Ship Reporting Systems.

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