The Advisory Committee on Protection of the Sea (ACOPS) was established in 1952 by Lord Callaghan as one of the world's first environmental non-Governmental Organisations. ACOPS originally concentrated on encouraging international agreements to reduce marine oil pollution. Since then, ACOPS has expanded its interests to include land-based sources of marine pollution, as well as other aspects of degradation of the coastal and marine environment.

RECENT OPERATIONS

Their recent operations have included:

• assisting national governments and regional organisations to develop and implement projects, activities, and mechanisms to protect the coastal and marine environment;
• researching marine pollution/environment problems, and formulation of concrete proposals for their resolution;
• designing policy options and conducting studies in co-operation with central and local governments and intergovernmental agencies, as well as regional and global organisations;
• preparing project proposals for Partnership Conferences which bring together governmental and non-governmental stakeholders;
• developing educational programmes covering all scientific, legal and political aspects of the marine and coastal environment;
• promoting the North-South dialogue; and
• building public awareness campaigns, through high-level international conferences and parliamentary meetings.

HOW ACOPS IS MANAGED

ACOPS is an international, private, independent, non-political organisation enjoying UK charitable status. It is funded by foundations, governmental and intergovernmental institutions, companies and private individuals. A strong team of internationally recognised experts work closely with ACOPS, covering such vital areas as policy development, fisheries management, corporate environmental management, oceanography, pollution research and control, biology, and managing impacts of tourism, providing a solid basis to the multidisciplinary, trans-sectoral approaches encouraged by ACOPS.