The Western European PSSA proposal: a “politically sensitive sea area”

In response to a public demand for action, following a series of high profile marine pollution events in their waters, several European States sought designation, by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), for an extensive marine area as a Particularly Sensitive Sea Area (PSSA). The approval ‘in principle’ of this area as a PSSA led to demands by several States to re-examine and constrain the entire PSSA concept. This paper analyses the European application and the response, by many IMO members, to the decision to approve the application in principle. Consideration is given to the legal basis for such an application as well as the potential implications the decision may have on future PSSA applications.