Press Release
LYMINGTON, United Kingdom — On 23rd October 2014, the International Cable Protection Committee (ICPC), together with the Centre for International Law of the National University of Singapore, George Washington University Law School and the Sargasso Sea Commission, co-sponsored a workshop titled Submarine Cables in the Sargasso Sea – Legal and Environmental Issues Beyond National Jurisdiction at George Washington University Law School in Washington, D.C. The objective of the Workshop was to start a dialogue between the submarine cable industry and the newly established Sargasso Sea Commission regarding best environmental practices for the laying and repair of cables in the Sargasso Sea, which is located in the North Atlantic Ocean beyond the national jurisdiction of any State. Environmental, scientific and legal aspects relating to international submarine telecommunication cables as critical infrastructure on the high seas or areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ) including route planning, cable route surveys, cable laying and repair , were examined by concerned governments, environmental scientists, and industry leaders in an open forum.
The Workshop brought together government representatives, the submarine cable industry, academics, scientists and lawyers to discuss the impact (if any) that cable operations may have on the marine environment including the ecological sensitivity of the Sargasso Sea and whether any best practices should be adopted to minimise any effect of cable operations. This was the first ever Workshop to address the interaction between submarine cables and the environment in ABNJ.
Participants engaged in a robust and informative discussion on a variety of important issues. The organisers intend to issue a Report of the Proceedings, which will reflect the main issues raised during the Workshop as well as areas for further cooperation between the submarine cable industry and the Sargasso Sea Commission. More information on the Workshop, including the various presentations, is available at: http://www.sargassoalliance.org/about-the-alliance/submarine-cables-workshop.
About ICPC
The ICPC was formed in 1958 and its primary goal is to promote the safeguarding of international submarine cables against man-made and natural hazards. The organisation provides a forum for the exchange of technical, legal and environmental information about submarine cables and, with 145 members from over 60 nations, is the World’s premier submarine cable organisation. More information about the ICPC is available at www.iscpc.org .
Source:
ICPC Keith Schofield
+44 7836 249376
Enquiries: [email protected]
