This paper focuses on the lessons learned regarding navigational safety and marine pollution management issues in the Malacca/Singapore Straits as well as the cooperation and collaboration among the littoral States—Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore—in dealing with such issues. The paper is intended to support the enhancement of environmental management programs in the Straits and to assist with the transfer of good practices and experience from the Malacca/Singapore Straits to other subregional sea areas in the East Asian region.

The assessment of impacts of hazardous wastes, particularly that of pesticides, is an important activity for the environmental management of coastal zones. This report describes the results of an assessment conducted in the Batangas Bay Region, Philippines and in the Xiamen Seas, China. Pesticides with the highest risk as well as trends and approximate concentrations have been identified.

This is a report on marine pollution legislation and regulations of nine countries in the East Asian region as well as their adoption and implementation of international conventions relating to marine pollution. During the past few years there has been some development in the ratification of conventions and enactment of legislation relating to marine pollution. Nonetheless, the present record of most countries in the East Asian region still leaves much to be desired. The report is envisioned as a step towards better understanding and further development of marine pollution legislation.

This publication intends to provide an environmental profile of the Malacca Straits with special reference to marine pollution; compile the existing policies, strategies, practices and initiatives taken by the littoral States, regional and international organizations with regard to the management of marine pollution, arising from both land- and sea-based sources and activities; and prepare an information reference for use in a risk assessment appraisal of the Malacca Straits.

This technical report contains a brief description of the contingent valuation methodology; the survey design and process, including the formulation of questionnaires, selection of sample, sites and enumerators; survey administration; analysis and results. The survey procedures have been published in a separate manual as a capacity building and management tool for ICM practitioners.

The initial risk assessment of the Malacca Straits is focused on the effects of land-based and sea-based activities, and the contaminants deriving from them, on living and non-living resources of the Straits of Malacca, including ecological, human and societal components. The Malacca Straits Environmental Profile (1996) was the primary resource document for the initial risk assessment. The Profile was completed as part of the Malacca Straits Demonstration Project, a component of the GEF/UNDP/IMO Regional Programme for the Prevention and Management of Marine Pollution in the East Asian Seas. The Profile provides an inventory of natural resources in the Straits with special reference to pollution risks, compiles existing management policies, strategies, practices and initiatives taken by major players, and identifies pollution sources and activities.

This study examines the need, feasibility and implications of designating the Malacca Straits as a Special Area under MARPOL 73/78, and provides recommendations on the considerations and procedures for advancing the special area designation in the Malacca Straits, and/or elsewhere within the East Asian Seas. This report is based on a literature study, including an extensive review of IMO documents regarding the designation of those Special Areas that are already part of MARPOL 73/78 (i.e., documents of the 1973 Diplomatic Conference and of subsequent MEPC sessions). In addition, an effort was made to identify publications (articles, etc.) with respect to Special Areas.

This publication identifies existing policy instruments and financial mechanisms available in the Philippines for mobilizing financial resources for infrastructure projects which impact marine pollution programs. Policy gaps and conflicts are further reviewed, particularly those that inhibit investments in infrastructure that affect marine pollution prevention and management. Perspectives of the sectors, i.e. government, NGOs, LGUs, and the private sector, are likewise discussed. Finally, case studies on government programs and environmental investments by private sectors, particularly those that involve partnerships among the sectors and those that use economic instruments, are enumerated in the last part of the paper.

The 1996 Annual Report of the Regional Programme for the Prevention and Management of Marine Pollution in the East Asian Seas has been prepared under the theme, "From Planning to Action". Recalling that the overall objective of the Programme is to support the efforts of participating governments in the prevention and management of marine pollution at both the national and subregional levels on a long-term and self-reliant basis, the theme voices the essence of work which has been undertaken during the year. The report reviews some of the issues and challenges that were involved in implementing the Regional Programme. The experience and lessons learned have provided a better appreciation among stakeholders of why and how integrated coastal management is applied in the coastal area, the social and economic opportunities that are afforded as a result of marine pollution initiatives and the costs and benefits of partnerships between government and private sector.