Knowledge Portal Munitions in the Sea
Knowledge Portal Munitions in the Sea

Management

Science, public administration, and civil society are united in two tasks: to inform the public about the topic of munitions in the sea and about the risks associated with its disposal – to be communicated openly and with an appropriate degree of transparency.

Information for the public, the exchange of scientific knowledge, and the discussion of practical measures for ammunition disposal form the basis for successful joint action, social acceptance, and trust in the actors involved.

KMCW’21: Economic opportunities

KMCW’21: Legal aspects

Information

Public Administration

The affected European coastal states make different efforts and take different approaches towards the elimination and destruction of munitions in the sea. Being military legacies, dealing with the munition is entrusted to different actors in the individual states. The collection of the data and their constant updating form the basis for dealing with the military legacy by the navy, coast guard or explosive ordnance clearing services.

International cooperation through intergovernmental working groups and institutions as well as those at the level of EU and NATO, aligns national efforts of addressing munitions in the sea.

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Science

Many research institutes examine questions about munitions in the sea. Results of several research projects over the last decade have provided basic data and understanding for purposeful handling of munitions in the sea. Numerous scientific studies, research reports and conferences document the current state of research as well as current and planned scientific projects.

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NGOs

National and international NGOs successfully address the problem of munitions in the sea. They play an intermediary role between civil society and national decision-makers. Depending on their own focus they cooperate with science or provide independent insights for a professional handling of munitions-contaminated sites. Their intermediary function is central to the diverse approaches for solving the problem of munitions in the sea.

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Risk assessment

Public administration

A precondition for the goal-oriented handling of the risks of munitions in the sea and the presentation of a comprehensive overview of the situation is a competent risk assessment.

Various dangers are connected with munitions for marine biota, ecosystem, and human beings. To recognise and assess them in a comprehensible manner requires the cooperation of experts from different disciplines and government agencies.

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Science

The results of scientific research form the basis for knowledge and evaluation of the risks associated with munitions in the sea. A reliable assessment of general environmental damage, the negative impact on marine ecosystems, and the dangers to human beings must be based on scientific knowledge – this always forms an integral part of a systematic and targeted risk assessment.

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NGOs

The work of NGOs takes up the findings of scientific research, supports the measures of government agencies to avert danger, and develops independent approaches for the responsible handling of the problem of munitions in the sea. The NGOs engage with politics and the public to foster critical awareness of the type and scope of necessary measures. Raising awareness of the risks associated with munitions in the sea ensures the quality of comprehensive risk studies.

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Regional Coordination

To sufficiently govern and protect the large sea basins around Europe, regional coordination has been established by international conventions.

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