Underwater radiological, chemical and conventional munitions are found globally in our waterways, rivers, lakes, seas and oceans. Underwater munitions (UWMs) are the "Point-Source Emitters of Pollution," so when you remove the source, you remove the problem. As a way of cheap disposal, underwater munitions have been dumped or abandoned in our waters for more than 70 years. The global stockpiles of underwater munitions could exceed One Billion Tons. Many countries, still keep the records in secret of the specific locations and the amounts of the munitions in sites.
Underwater Munitions pollution impacts the fish stocks causing several fish diseases, putting stress on their kidneys and livers, and resulting in inability for juvenile fish to reproduce. Scientists believe that some chemical weapons may dissipate in water, but others like arsenic, can bioaccumulation in the food chain, and, ultimately, produce human health problems, including cancer. In many regions people unknowingly consume contaminated fish. Chemical plums drift in our seas and oceans depleting oxygen killing our global fish stocks.
VOLUNTARY COMMITMENT
INTERNATIONAL DIALOGUE ON UNDERWATER MUNITIONS (IDUM) declares to create an International Marine Centre for international cooperation and a global focal point for the exchange of information to further increase knowledge and awareness of Underwater Munitions Policy, Science, Technology and Responses by:
1. Promoting an International Treaty for all Underwater Munitions on Human Health and Environment
2. Creating Global Awareness about the Impact from Underwater Munitions on Human Health, Environment and the Economy
3. Creating a Global Database and Regional Maps of Underwater Munitions Sites for the Exchange of Information
4. Developing an International Underwater Testing and Training Centre for Underwater Munitions Innovative Science and Technology
5. Developing International Training Programs on Underwater Munitions for Marine Surveys, Investigations, Recovery and Disposal
6. Promoting Global Clean-up by developing Shipborne Disposal Solutions for Underwater Munitions
Progress reports
By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution
Type of commitment
SHIPPING
- Other (please specify): Reducing Risk of Ship Transport
OTHER POLLUTANTS (please specify)
- Other (please specify): Warfare Materials
By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans
Type of commitment
- Large Marine Ecosystem approach
Minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification, including through enhanced scientific cooperation at all levels
Type of commitment
- Other (please specify): Research on the impact of underwater munitions on climate change
By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible, at least to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics
Type of commitment
- Ecosystem approach to fisheries (EAF)
By 2020, conserve at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national and international law and based on the best available scientific information
Type of commitment
- Marine protected area with partial protection
By 2020, prohibit certain forms of fisheries subsidies which contribute to overcapacity and overfishing, eliminate subsidies that contribute to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and refrain from introducing new such subsidies, recognizing that appropriate and effective special and differential treatment for developing and least developed countries should be an integral part of the World Trade Organization fisheries subsidies negotiation
Type of commitment
- Removal or reduction of harmful fisheries subsidies
- information relating to harmful subsidies
Quantification
By 2030, increase the economic benefits to Small Island developing States and least developed countries from the sustainable use of marine resources, including through sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism
Type of commitment
- Economic benefits from sustainable fisheries
- Economic benefits from sustainable tourism
- Economic benefits from sustainable aquaculture/mariculture
- Economic benefits from marine renewable energy
- Economic benefits from marine biotechnology
- Economic benefits from sustainable transport
Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries
Type of commitment
- Scientific, socioeconomic and interdisciplinary research
- Research capacity development
- Data access and sharing
- Training and professional development
- Scientific cooperation
- Transfer marine technology
- Actions that support SIDS and LDCs
Provide access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets
Type of commitment
- Legal/policy/institutional measures
Enhance the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing international law as reflected in UNCLOS, which provides the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources, as recalled in paragraph 158 of The Future We Want
Type of commitment
- Activities to raise awareness of the comprehensive legal and policy framework for the sustainable development of oceans and seas, in particular UNCLOS, its Implementing Agreements and other relevant ocean-related instruments and promote their effective im
- Activities to develop the capacity of States towards broader participation in and effective implementation of UNCLOS and its implementing Agreements
- Strengthening ocean governance, for example through the development of a national ocean policy or regional ocean policy
- Development of necessary infrastructure and/or enforcement capabilities to comply with international law, as reflected in UNCLOS and as complemented by other ocean-related instruments
August 2017
Establishment of the International Underwater Training Centre with Underwater Training Grids to train munitions response technicians in clean-up of underwater munitions
July 2017
Creation of a focal point for the exchange of information for all stakeholders, including maps, and developing new and emerging innovative science and technology approaches to sea dumped weapons
July 2019
Development of a specialized ship with a built-in disposal solution for sea dumped weapons
May 2018
Development of international training programs, including underwater vehicles for munitions survey, investigation and disposal
Other, please specify
5 acres of land, and the waterfront for the International Training Centre
Other, please specify
Conduct and film an investigation of Sea Dumped Chemical Weapons Sites at ten thousand feet of water off the coast of California in a manned vehicle , 1 million USD
In-kind contribution
Financing is being discussed with our partner Airbus for Shipborne Solution Funds, 10 million USD
Staff / Technical expertise
Volunteer Staff has been identified to build an Underwater Training Grid in July 2017, 1 million USD
