The Joint Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Environmental Protection (GESAMP) was established in 1967 by a number of United Nations Agencies. Its purpose was to provide advice to the agencies and, through them their Member Governments on a problem that was just beginning to be recognized as a major threat.Since then the Joint Group has met regularly and in 1993 its role was extended to cover all scientific aspects on the prevention, reduction and control of the degradation of the marine environment to sustain life support systems, resources and amenities.
