South Africa and Costa Rica are taking practical steps to reduce the environmental impact of shipping on marine ecosystems, with support from the IMO. 

During a joint side event at the UN Ocean Conference in Nice (9-13 June), country officials presented their experiences in tackling ship noise and marine plastic pollution, sharing lessons learned with others facing similar challenges. 

The event was co-hosted by IMO, France, Costa Rica, South Africa, FAO and UNDP, and opened by IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez and FAO Director-General QU Dongyu. 

South Africa confronts underwater noise 

Ms. Mbalenhle Simphiwe Golding, Acting CEO of the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA), highlighted how growing maritime traffic is threatening marine biodiversity in South Africa. 

“The increase of shipping traffic has been strongly correlated with a 70% decline in the population of the African penguins. It has also affected our commercial fish such as yellowfin tuna and hake. When our commercial fish is affected, it affects our food security and our ability to thrive as a nation.” 

Underwater radiated noise (URN) from ships disrupts vital behaviours in marine life, including communication, navigation, foraging and reproduction. South Africa recently hosted the first-ever regional workshop on URN, supported by IMO’s GloNoise Partnership, bringing together representatives from 21 countries. 

The country launched its first environmental impact assessment focused on ship noise in Algoa Bay, with plans to expand nationally to gather baseline data for policy development. Additionally, South Africa has introduced draft regulations for the environmental management of offshore bunkering, identified as a major contributor to underwater noise. Shipowners that want to adopt low-noise technologies but are hindered by the cost will be able to explore financing options. 

“The capacity building support that has come through the GloNoise Partnership has been quite instrumental. It has enabled us to transition from just awareness and to move towards structured action,” said Ms. Golding. 

Costa Rica leads region on ocean plastic action 

In Costa Rica, efforts to combat marine plastic pollution are being advanced through IMO's Marine Litter Programme, including GloLitter, which is jointly implemented by IMO and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).  

The country aims to establish a fishing gear reception facility along its South Pacific coastline for discarded fishing gear and marine litter. The partnership involves the National Coast Guard to collect the discarded fishing gear, as well as a private recycling company to transform the discarded plastic into reusable material such as benches and tables. 

“We are really eager to raise awareness with the fishers, tour operators, coastal communities about IMO conventions such as MARPOL as well as FAO’s voluntary guidance on the marking of fishing gear,” said Ms. Paola Acuña Chacón, Legal Advisor, Costa Rica Ministry of Public Works and Transport. 

Globally, an estimated 640,000 tonnes of fishing gear is lost or abandoned annually, accounting for roughly 10% of ocean plastic. Costa Rica is leading the development of a Regional Action Plan covering five Central American countries to address marine plastic litter. Activities include the establishment of a circular economy project that generates income for women in coastal areas through recycling and other efforts to promote a healthy ocean. 

“By implementing respective IMO conventions, the IMO Action Plan on Marine Plastics and FAO voluntary guidance, we will have a strong legal framework to fight marine plastic pollution across Central America,” Ms. Acuña added. 

IMO and global commitment 

IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to environmental protection through global regulations, standards and capacity-building. 

“This event showcases the importance of IMO’s decades-long regulatory framework in protecting the marine environment,” he said. 

France’s Minister for the Ecological Transition, Biodiversity, Forestry, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Ms. Agnès Pannier-Runacher, welcomed the initiatives: 

“I am reassured to see how IMO and its partners are addressing these issues. It is essential that we maintain a high level of ambition, that matches the scale of the environmental issues at stake.”