Identification of Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas (PSSAs) in Coastal Areas of Sistan and Balochestan Province Using the IMO Guidelines

Occurrence of various accident and release a wide variety of Substances into the marine environment as a result of shipping activities, and their serious, and some times irreversible, damage to marine life and environment have necessitated a plan for environmental protection in sensitive sea areas. In this regard, the Marin Environmental Protection Committee (MEPC) of International Maritime Organization (IMO) has indorsed the guidelines for identification and designation of Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas (PSSAs) as a good tool for protection of marine environment from pollution caused by international shipping activities. Such sensitive sea areas require special procedures for environmental protection, and the coastal countries can establish associated protective measures for their marine environment through International Maritime Organization. The aim of this study was the identification of particularly sensitive sea areas in the coastal areas of Sistan and Baluchistan province along the gulf of oman. Based on results, 3 bays including chabahar, pozm and goater, also tang, galak and meydani coves, and marine turtles nesting grounds were identified as PSSAs along the study areas. Therefore, it is necessary to protect of unique ecological, socio-economic, scientific and cultural characteristics of the identified areas that are vulnerable to damage by international shipping activities.