Major Projects Foundation and Marinas Guardian Unite to Address Potentially Polluting Wrecks
Major Projects Foundation (MPF) and Marinas Guardian are proud to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to address the urgent issue of Potentially Polluting Wrecks (PPWs). This partnership signals a major step forward in tackling one of the most pressing environmental challenges affecting our oceans.
THE ISSUE
According to an issues brief released by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), there are an estimated 8500 sunken vessels at risk of leaking over 6 billion gallons of oil (https://www.iucn.org/…/marine-pollution-sunken-vessels).
A COLLABORATIVE VISSION
The partnership between MPF and Marinas Guardian will focus on:
- Surveying and Remediating Pacific Region Wrecks
The two organizations aim to identify, risk-assess, and remediate up to 60 sunken vessels in the Pacific over the next nine years. This ambitious project, supported by partners such as SPREP, the University of Newcastle, and The Ocean Foundation, will require substantial fundraising, which is set to begin immediately. - Developing Global Standards
In collaboration with the IUCN, the partnership will work toward establishing global best practices for addressing PPWs. The lack of clear international standards has been a critical barrier to effective action, and this initiative seeks to fill that gap by creating a framework for sustainable, ethical, and efficient remediation efforts.
VOICES FROM THE PARTNERSHIP
Jason Peers, Co-Founder and CEO of Marinas Guardian, expressed the complexity and urgency of addressing PPWs:
“Having dived on WWII-era wrecks across the globe since the mid-1980s, I have witnessed the impact of leaking oil from these deteriorating vessels. I have also witnessed how they can develop as amazing hotspots of marine activity. Many represent an important historical legacy and most are war graves, so it is imperative that we protect them while remediating the problem of bunker fuel, ordnance, and toxic chemicals to avoid further calamities.
The problem is complex, challenging both from an engineering perspective and in terms of ownership and liability. Clearly, funding is now needed to heed the call to arms from the IUCN to recognize the scale of the problem and develop solutions quickly. Marinas Guardian is delighted to work with the IUCN and Major Projects Foundation to accelerate MPF’s survey and remediation program in the Pacific and develop a Global Standard.”
Paul Adams, Director of Major Projects Foundation, highlighted the significance of this collaboration:
“This is a problem that has been overlooked for far too long. The Potentially Polluting Wrecks of WWII have sat on the ocean floor for almost 80 years and are now starting to break up.
The world has now historically agreed to protect 30% of our oceans with Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) by 2030. The prevention of oil spills from these wrecks is consistent with and preempts the key aim of the agreement: to reverse the unprecedented destruction of nature.
Our agreement with Marinas Guardian will greatly assist our current survey program and expedite the remediation of priority wrecks throughout the Pacific.”
A CALL TO ACTION
With this partnership, MPF and Marinas Guardian are committed to advancing marine conservation efforts while protecting vital historical sites and biodiversity. Through groundbreaking projects and global standard-setting, the organizations aim to mitigate the risks posed by PPWs, safeguarding our oceans for future generations.
