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|  Cruises CHALLENGE The cruise industry is one of the fastest growing and most visible sectors of the travel industry. Seventy percent of cruise destinations are located in biodiversity hotspots, with the vast majority in the Caribbean and Mediterranean. Cruise ships bring millions of tourists to fragile ecosystems and protected areas each year, a dynamic that could threaten the sustainability of the resources on which the industry depends. SOLUTION In December 2003, CELB partnered with Cruise Lines International Association* (CLIA) to launch the Ocean Conservation and Tourism Alliance (OCTA), a joint initiative to protect biodiversity in top cruise destinations and promote industry practices that minimize the cruise industry's environmental impact. The OCTA is concentrating its efforts on four initial priority areas: Groundbreaking Agreement in Cozumel: In January 2008, CI and Cozumel’s Department of Tourism and the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association witnessed the culmination of their 12-month partnership with the signing of a groundbreaking conservation agreement by cruise industry leaders representing government, private sector, civil society, and cruise lines as part of the Mesoamerican Reef Tourism Initiative (MARTI). By facilitating this agreement the partners set into motion, for the first time ever, a major environmental initiative that will help preserve some of the most endangered biodiversity on the planet living in the world’s most visited cruise destination: Cozumel, Mexico. Read Further Marine Ecosystems Mapping Exercise Launched: In March 2006, CI and Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) announced a joint initiative to develop a map integrating sensitive marine areas into cruise line navigational charts with the goal of protecting critical marine and coastal ecosystems. This global mapping project comes as a result of a series of recommendations on wastewater management for the cruise industry developed by the independent science panel. Read Further Science Panel Wastewater Recommendations Released: In March 2006, the volunteer, independent Science Panel comprised of leading marine experts convened by OCTA, released a series of 11 recommendations to the ICCL based on best management practices for cruise ship wastewater discharges. Read the Recommendations From Ship to Shore Report Released: From Ship to Shore: Sustainable Stewardship in Cruise Destinations examines the shared responsibilities among cruise lines, governments, civil society groups and shore operators to manage the growth and expansion of the cruise industry into sensitive ecosystems. The report also profiles leadership examples of how these stakeholders are taking tangible steps to ensure a sustainable future for cruise tourism, while maintaining the natural and cultural integrity of cruise destinations. Read Further Industry Recommendations Report Underway: The Science Panel has begun writing its final recommendations report. This report will incorporate information from three important studies: (i) independent 'Synthesis Report' commissioned by the Science Panel detailing relevant results and conclusions from previously conducted studies relating to wastewater discharges from cruise ships, (ii) the results of the EPA’s Discharge Assessment Report, and (iii) analysis from CI’s global discharge mapping project. Global Discharge Mapping Project Instituted: Utilizing waste discharge logs from 127 cruise ships, CI is creating a map of global cruise routes and the waste discharge patterns associated with them and comparing this with additional data like sea temperatures and chlorophyll patterns. This information will provide the science panel with a better understanding of (i) where ICCL member cruise ships operate and areas of high traffic, (ii) locations of wastewater discharges, (iii) constituents, concentrations and volumes of discharges (iv) level of treatment, and (v) potential effects these current practices might have on the marine environment. Independent science panel convened: In March 2004, the OCTA science panel, comprised of leading marine experts, met for the first time to begin the process of providing recommendations to the cruise industry on wastewater management practices. The science panel will hold regular meetings as it prepares to compile detailed feedback for the cruise industry. Read Further Presented environmental report at cruise industry conference: In March 2003, CELB presented the interim report, A Shifting Tide: Environmental Challenges and Cruise Industry Responses at Seatrade, the largest cruise industry trade event. The report, which has been praised for its accurate and direct analysis, investigates the state of the cruise industry, its key environmental challenges and the cruise industry's responses. Please Note: * - OCTA was originally established with the International Council of Cruise Lines (ICCL). In 2007, ICCL merged with Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and became known solely as CLIA. All previously published news releases, reports and publications that reflect the ICCL name should be considered as CLIA under the current OCTA partnership. 
|  People dancing. Cruise Ship. PARTNER FAST FACTS • CLIA CLIA MEMBERS American Cruise Lines Azamara Cruises Carnival Cruise Lines Celebrity Cruises Costa Cruise Lines Crystal Cruises Cunard Line Disney Cruise Line Holland America Line Hurtigruten Majestic America Line MSC Cruises Norwegian Cruise Line Oceania Cruises Orient Lines Pearl Seas Cruises Princess Cruises Regent Seven Seas Cruises Royal Caribbean International Seabourn Cruise Line SeaDream Yacht Club Silversea Cruises Uniworld Grand River Cruises Windstar Cruises PUBLICATIONS & RESOURCES • Ocean Conservation and Tourism Alliance Factsheet (pdf, 640kb) • International Council of Cruise Lines and CI Launch Global Mapping Project (press release) • 'From Ship to Shore' Report Details Cruise Industry(press release) • Leading Marine Experts Begin Work on Providing Science Based Recommendations (press release) • Ocean Conservation and Tourism Alliance (press release) • From Ship to Shore (pdf, 3.09mb) • A Shifting Tide, an interim report on environmental challenges for the cruise industry (pdf, 480kb) WEBSITES • In Depth:Caribbean Hotspot • In Depth: Mediterranean Basin Hotspot |
