A New Impetus for Particularly Sensitive Sea Area Designation

Over three decades, the United Nations International Maritime Organization (IMO) has designated 15 Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas (PSSAs), each requiring evidence of vulnerability to international shipping impacts. This study highlights two case studies—Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park in the Philippines and Banc d'Arguin in Mauritania—as exemplars of how UNESCO World Heritage Sites can leverage PSSA designation to mitigate threats from maritime activities. The impetus for Tubbataha's designation stemmed from high-profile vessel groundings in 2013, while Banc d'Arguin's recognition was driven by its unique migratory avifaunal links and oceanic upwelling system. The research underscores the potential of PSSA designation as a best practice in marine governance, fostering synergy among UN agencies to enhance protection and awareness of vulnerable ecosystems. It also recommends exploring further opportunities for such collaborations.

Johnson, D. E., & Froján, C. B. (2020). A New Impetus for Particularly Sensitive Sea Area Designation. Journal of Coastal Research, 95(sp1), 829. https://doi.org/10.2112/si95-161.1