IMO: PSSA – Particularly Sensitive Sea

Compilation of all guidance documents and PSSAs designated by IMO since 1990 A Particularly Sensitive Sea Area (PSSA) is an area of the marine environment that needs special protection through action by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) because of its significance for recognized ecological, socio-economic, or scientific attributes where such attributes may be vulnerable to damage by international shipping activities. At the time of designation of a PSSA, an associated protective measure (APM), which meets the requirements of the appropriate legal instrument establishing such measure, must have been approved or adopted by IMO to prevent, reduce, or eliminate the threat or identified vulnerability.

IMO is the only international body responsible for assessing proposals for and designating areas as PSSAs and adopting measures applicable to international shipping.

This publication presents:

• Revised PSSA Guidelines
• Revised Guidelines to submit a PSSA proposal to IMO
• Texts of MEPC resolutions by which fourteen PSSAs have been designated since 1990