SJR 17 Summary

• Welcomes the Arctic Council Task Force for Arctic Marine Oil Pollution Preparedness and Response to Alaska for its March 2012 meeting and urges the task force to use the time to inform and inspire its work.

• Supports the task force's development of the Instrument on Cooperation on Marine Oil Pollution Preparedness and Response in the Arctic, a framework for international collaboration among eight Arctic states.

• Urges vessels transiting the Bering Strait and Aleutian regions to maintain adequate oil spill contingency plans and response capacity that involve response organizations, indigenous people, state and local governments.

• Encourages ships in the Bering Strait and Aleutian regions to voluntarily engage local authorities in contingency planning and supports the instrument promoting such engagement.

• Recognizes the importance of joint training exercises and information exchanges among Arctic nations regarding marine pollution preparedness and response.