(Boulogne sur Mer) - As management and representatives of aquariums, science centers, and non-governmental organizations from all over the world, we have been meeting in the national ocean center NAUSICAA at Boulogne sur Mer for international meetings for "Acting Together for the Blue Planet," to establish a coordinated program of activities to raise awareness and involvement among the general public. On behalf of all those attending,

WE DECLARE THAT:

In the face of the disaster of the Prestige which has sunk off the Spanish Galician coast, we must deplore this new accident which is having devastating consequences on the marine environment, As we are spokespersons for the Oceans, it is our duty to condemn the use of obsolete and unsafe shipping on the world's seaways,

WE DEMAND:

An acceleration of the process under which all single hull ships are to be decommissioned by 2015,

That measures be put into place rapidly which will permit the seizure and decommissioning of single hull ships if they do not meet international safety standards,

That Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas be established to protect coastlines which are at risk.

NAUSICAA, 20 November 2002

For more information:

The Science of Marine Reserves - Partnership for Interdisciplinary Studies of Coastal Oceans (PISCO)

In French:

La catastrophe évoquée à Boulogne-sur-Mer Le coup de colère de J.-M. Cousteau