“The Contracting Parties (...) accept the principle of safeguarding the marine ecosystem of the Paris Convention area by reducing at source polluting emissions of substances that are persistent, toxic, and liable to bioaccumulate by the use of the best available technology and other appropriate measures. This applies especially when there is reason to assume that certain damage or harmful effects on the living resources of the sea are likely to be caused by such substances, even where there is no scientific evidence to prove a causal link between emissions and effects (the principle of precautionary action)”.

Bron: The Paris Convention for the Prevention of Marine Pollution from Land-Based Sources, PARCOM Recommendation 89/1 - 22 June, 1989.