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SandBar 6:4, January, 2008 International Law Update Australia Anti-Fouling Convention Enacted On September 17, 2008, the International Convention on the Control of Harmful Anti-Fouling Systems on Ships, 2001 will enter into force. The convention requires internationally-traveling ships 400 gross tons and above to have an International Anti-Fouling System Certificate. Ships must pass an inspection to receive the certificate. Ships less than 400 gross tons but 24-meters or longer must carry a Declaration of Anti-Fouling Systems signed by the shipowner or authorized agent. Red and Pink Coral Export to Be Regulated In June, a committee at a United Nations Wildlife Conference voted to begin regulating the export of red and pink corals. The corals are threatened by over-harvesting, pollution, seabed trawling, and global warming. The restrictions on international trade should be in effect by the end of 2008. Australia Signs Kyoto Protocol In December, Australia signed the Kyoto Protocol. Australia’s new Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, signed the agreement just nine days after his election. Australia’s action leaves the United States as one of the few industrialized nations that has not signed the Protocol. China and South Korea Agree to Green Desert Beijing and Seoul have signed an agreement to “green” the Ulan Buh Desert in China. The countries will spend about $2 million U.S. dollars to grow trees and build greenhouses in the regions. Officials hope the project will help stop environmental deterioration in the area. Endangered Turtle Eggs Recovered in Mexico In October, thousands of endangered turtle eggs were recovered from smugglers in Oaxaca, Mexico, during a routine road-block set up by police. The olive ridley turtles are listed as an endangered species in the United States, but the eggs are part of a traditional diet in the Mexican region of Oaxaca.
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SandBar 6:4, January, 2008

International Law Update

Australia Anti-Fouling Convention Enacted
On September 17, 2008, the International Convention on the Control of Harmful Anti-Fouling Systems on Ships, 2001 will enter into force. The convention requires internationally-traveling ships 400 gross tons and above to have an International Anti-Fouling System Certificate. Ships must pass an inspection to receive the certificate. Ships less than 400 gross tons but 24-meters or longer must carry a Declaration of Anti-Fouling Systems signed by the shipowner or authorized agent.

Red and Pink Coral Export to Be Regulated
In June, a committee at a United Nations Wildlife Conference voted to begin regulating the export of red and pink corals. The corals are threatened by over-harvesting, pollution, seabed trawling, and global warming. The restrictions on international trade should be in effect by the end of 2008.

Australia Signs Kyoto Protocol
In December, Australia signed the Kyoto Protocol. Australia’s new Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, signed the agreement just nine days after his election. Australia’s action leaves the United States as one of the few industrialized nations that has not signed the Protocol.

China and South Korea Agree to Green Desert
Beijing and Seoul have signed an agreement to “green” the Ulan Buh Desert in China. The countries will spend about $2 million U.S. dollars to grow trees and build greenhouses in the regions. Officials hope the project will help stop environmental deterioration in the area.

Endangered Turtle Eggs Recovered in Mexico
In October, thousands of endangered turtle eggs were recovered from smugglers in Oaxaca, Mexico, during a routine road-block set up by police. The olive ridley turtles are listed as an endangered species in the United States, but the eggs are part of a traditional diet in the Mexican region of Oaxaca.