The implications and benefits of acceding to the 1996 “London Protocol” to the 1972 Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter are being discussed at an IMO-led national workshop in Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania (23-24 March), hosted by the Tanzania Surface and Marine Transport Regulatory Authority (SUMATRA).
The workshop is being attended by some 30 participants from Government agencies, private sector and academia, with the participation of IMO’s Fred Haag. Tanzania is currently a Party to the 1972 Convention. While the 1972 treaty prohibits the dumping at sea of wastes on a “black” list, and grey-listed materials require a special permit, the 1996 Protocol is seen as more beneficial in terms of protecting the environment, as it is more restrictive, prohibiting all dumping of wastes at sea, except for possibly acceptable wastes on the so-called "reverse list".