Which of the following is NOT an ECA under Annex VI?

• A. Baltic Sea
• B. North Sea
• C. North American Area
• D. Pacific Ocean

Answer: (D)

Emissions Control Areas are zones defined by MARPOL Annex VI where ships must meet stricter limits on sulfur oxides and other pollutants, requiring low-sulfur fuels or equivalent controls. The Baltic Sea and the North Sea are classic ECAs because they are coastal regions with sensitive ecosystems and heavy traffic, and the North American Area is another designated ECA along U.S. and Canadian coasts. The Pacific Ocean has not been designated as an ECA, so it does not carry the tighter fuel sulfur requirements that apply inside ECAs. Therefore, the Pacific Ocean is the correct answer.