The terms “protect” and “preeerve” have the came meaning, mutatia.mutan8is, a8 in article 22. 2.W In the present aaae, the obligation to “protect” incluAes the duty to take the meaeure8 necessary with respect to an international watercourse [system] to protect the marine environment againat harm from both pollution and new or alien species, Without prejudice to its meaning in the 1982 United Nation6 Convention OR the Law of the Sea and other international agreements, the expression “marine environment” is understood to include, fau, the water, flora and fauna of the 8ea. as well as the sea-bed and ocean floor. m/ (4) The article concludes with the phrase, “taking into account generally accepted international rules and standards “,which has also been utilised in the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. &&I/ The phrase referc both to rules of general international law and to those derived from international agreements, aB well aB to standards adopted by States and international organisations pursuant to those aqreemente, MI WaterCOUCBe ’ Statee are to take these rulee and standard@ into account in planning and implementing the measures to be taken under the present article, with a view to ensuring that such measures are aonsietent with any applicable rules and standards governing protection and preservation of the marine environment. 2x1 See paragraph (3) of the commentary to article 22. zlfi/ The expression “marine environment” is not defined in the 1982 Convention. “Pollution of the marine environment” is, however, defined in article 1, para. (4). ixuSee, e.g. article 211, para. 2. 2u/ See, in particular, the agreements referred to in BUD~B, notes 210 and 211. - 171 -PART V HARhlFUL C3NDITIONS AND RWERQENCX SITUATIONS Watercourse States shall, indivAdually or jointly, take all appropriate measures to prevent or mitigate conditions that may be
**Analysis**
The text appears to be discussing the obligations of States in protecting and preserving the marine environment, including measures to prevent pollution and the introduction of new or alien species. It references international agreements and conventions, such as the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The text also mentions the importance of taking into account generally accepted international rules and standards in planning and implementing measures to protect the marine environment. This suggests that the text is primarily concerned with environmental protection and international cooperation.

**Category**
Natural resources and environment