29/03/2007 (Agence Europe) - Although on Thursday the European Parliament voted on a new maritime package (EUROPE will be returning to the issue), a new directive on pollution by ships, which sets out sanctions for punishing maritime polluters (2005/35 7 September 2005), will enter into force on 1 April. Under this legislation anyone found guilty of having caused or contributed to an act of illegal pollution, either intentionally or by serious negligence, will be subject to a sanctions regime - criminal sanctions in the most serious cases. The directive involves the dumping of polluting substances in all maritime zones and is applicable to all boats stopping in EU ports, whatever flag they are flying. The directive also aims to strengthen cooperation between member states for detecting dumping, its follow-up and identification of polluting boats. (aby)