How does the Particularly Sensitive Sea Area (PSSA) designation relate to the World Heritage nomination?
The two designations are separate but complementary. The PSSA designation, finalized on April 3, 2008, by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) is international recognition of the significance of the waters, coral and other resources of the monument as well as their sensitivity to international shipping such that vessels are subject to internationally recognized measures designed to protect the coral and other marine resources of ecological and cultural significance from damage by ships. These rules also help keep mariners safe from running aground on coral by marking of restricted areas on nautical charts and establishing a reporting system for ships transiting the monument waters. The PSSA covers all waters of the monument, which includes a 1,200-mile stretch of coral islands, seamounts, banks and shoals. The PSSA and the Monument have the same boundary. However, IMO established a ship reporting area that extends an additional 10 miles seaward of the PSSA/Monument boundary. V
