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 Home » Hot Archive » E-bulletin » 2002 » February |
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IN THIS ISSUE: COUNTRY NEWS INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE “THE CASPIAN – LEGAL ISSUES” was held in Moscow, 26-27 February 2002. The legal status of the Caspian Sea, legal regulation of monitoring and environmental protection, development of mineral and biological resources, and navigation were the main themes of the meeting. The official position of Russia was expressed by Special representative for the President RF Viktor Kalyuzhny, the concept implies division of the sea bottom with concurrent possession of the states on the Caspian waters. Another concept - dividing shares in proportion to the respective coastal line of each country; according to this division the share of Azerbaijan will be the least. Despite certain disagreements on this issue, the littoral countries are common in their opinion that the decision on the Caspian status should be reached urgently; it is closely connected with further activities and investments in oil exploration and development. Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Mehdi Safari declared that the Government of I.R.I. will not permit the international companies develop the natural wealth of the sea until its legal status is reconciled. In the opinion of Viktor Kalyuzhny, among the pressing
problems to be decided jointly by the Caspian countries are conservation and management of
unique Caspian bioresources. Russia proposed establishment of Center for environmental
monitoring of the Caspian Sea, which should include the interests of all riparian
countries. The scientists and environmental organizations are deeply concerned that the
Caspian is probable to become an area of environmental disaster due to the lack of proper
control. MARINE HYDROMETEOROLOGY CENTRE IS SET UP IN
AZERBAIJAN The center is devised to maintain prompt exchange of the relevant information between the littoral states and also with the inter-state ocean studies commission. In addition, the center will elaborate and carry into life regional and international marine protection programmes', said Zakir Abbasov. In the more distant future, the research to be launched by the center will play a major part in forming the National Oceanography Commission. There are several meteorological stations in use on the Caspian right now, including those situated in the Oily Rocks oil field and on the Chilov and Khara-Zirya isles. The Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources established two river Kura research and study stations recently; one station is located near the river-mouth in Neftchala, and the other one is in Minghechavir, and studies also lakes and Kura's tributaries. 'We now can monitor and study the whole of river Kura, its
estuary and the soils', Zakir Abbasov remarked.
1. The NSAP workshop in
Kazakhstan The NSAP Team Leader in Kazakhstan presented an overview of contents and scope of NSAP, as well as the component PIPP for the public. During the meeting there were specific recommendations and viewpoints were expressed to be reflected in the Plan. The main goal of the meeting was to review the preparation
status of draft NSAP and address current problems in region. 2. The PIPP presentations in
Kazakhstan 3. Are Kazakhstani Students
involved into Caspian environmental issues? The important fact to notice is that students are active members of local ecological NGO’s, who involve in process of increasing the public awareness on environment issues. It makes us to believe that growing generation is ready to protect the Caspian.
1. MID-MARCH 2002, AN INTERNATIONAL CRUISE TO THE CASPIAN will start from Astrakhan. Its primary goal is stock assessment of sturgeon species in the Caspian Sea. Director of CaspNIRKh, Dr. Mark Karpyuk briefed on the objectives and details of the expedition, which is organized upon the initiative of the Russian Federation and completely supported by the other Caspian littoral states. The concept of the Russian party implies conducting comprehensive studies of the Caspian sturgeons in 4 stages: spring (March- April), summer (July-August), autumn (October-November) and, tentatively, winter surveys. During the winter season of 2001-2002, preliminary expedition, which aimed sturgeon stock assessment in the North Caspian, was carried out after a decade's intermission. Two vessels are involved in data collection, "Issledovatel Kaspiya" along the coasts of Turkmenistan, I.R. Iran, and Azerbaijan,and "Sebex" – at Kazakhstan coasts, in the North Caspian and the western part of the Middle Caspian. Initial data will be processed directly on board of research vessels, post-cruise processing and analysis of information is to be completed at the institute. Representatives from all riparian countries take part in the surveys and data processing. Provisional results will be forwarded to the relevant organizations of the Caspian countries and upon concluding the Summary Report will be submitted to government bodies, CITES, and other concerned international agencies. 2. EACH RUSSIAN FISHING VESSEL
AND FISH-PRODUCER including those active at the Caspian is subjected to
registration upon certain number, which will onwards mark their production. This decision
was adopted at the session of State Fisheries Committee RF dedicated to the issues of
quality and safety of fish products. The rule is envisaged under the regulation “On the
Order of Sectoral Registration of Fish-processing Enterprises and Vessels” to be
considered by RF Government in April 2002. This measure is supposed to enhance control on
illegal fishing and fish-processing as well as to regulate monitoring of raw resources and
production courses.? 3. Following decision
taken by Russian Federal Border Service 17-TH DETACHED SUBDIVISION FOR MARITIME
PATROL from Astrakhan was acknowledged the best in Russia. Deputy Director of
FBS, Vice-Admiral Valery Logvinenko stated that such resolution was adopted with regard to
activities of 17-th Subdivision on protection of marine bioresources apart from prevention
of smuggling and illicit migration. Protection of Russian marine borders at the Caspian is
currently of great concern, and according to “Marine Doctrine of Russia” maritime
border service is assigned specific importance in safeguarding economic interests of the
country in this region. 4. NEGOTIATIONS FOR THE COURSE OF RUSSIAN-IRANIAN COOPERATION ON FISHERIES are the purpose of the visit of Russian delegation to Islamic Republic of Iran, 14-18 February 2002. The following issues will be discussed:
Governments of RF and I.R.I. signed Agreement on
cooperation in the sphere of fisheries in May 1996. Within the framework of
intergovernmental Agreement joint research is conducted: stock assessment of sturgeons and
sprats, hydrobiological studies, investigation of pollution in the Caspian Sea. At
present, the parties are concerned with drastic degradation of the Caspian bioresources. 1. Monitoring of active zones in the Caspian Sea At the first project stage, the emphasis will be laid on active zones located near the areas of hydrocarbon search, exploration, and mining. Data obtained will meet the standard information requirements at national and international levels used in environment impact assessment for oil and gas mining. Only specialized and accredited laboratories would be involved in carrying out the analysis. Information obtained as a result of monitoring will be presented in full to all organizations (national, non-governmental, commercial) that paid their shares. For further information please contact us: ICOE ICOE In this email is the following information: OneFish You are invited to read the information below and to look at the OneFish site at: http://www.onefish.org For more information about SIFAR, go to: http://www.sifar.org or write to Joan Baron Varley Scientific-Industrial Center of Research We are currently looking for partners and interested organizations in order to take part in the Swiss Transborder Program of Grants. For last 5 years SIC "SAKNAPIRDATSVA" has accomplished several important projects:
GRANTS Regional Environmental Center for Central Asia: Some of the major activities of the Regional Environmental Center for Central Asia (CAREC), established by the resolution of the governments of the five Central Asian countries with the assistance of the European Commission, are to provide support to the non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the Central Asian region, to promote cooperation between the governments, local authorities, NGOs and businesses, to develop and deliver training and grant programs. In accordance with its objectives, the CAREC has developed its Grant Program 2002 designed to support environmental projects and initiatives of public organizations and individuals interested in improving the environment. The CAREC is hopeful that this support will increase the number and the capacity of environmental NGOs and provide a better opportunity for the community to be actively involved in decision-making. The Grant Program 2002 includes three types of grants: Transborder grants are to promote cooperation between NGOs of the CA region in addressing the regional priorities of environmental protection and sustainable development. An obligatory requirement of this category is joint project implementation by several NGOs from at least two countries of the region. The grant size is up to 10,000 US dollars. Special grants are designed to fund the priority environmental and SD problems in the CA region. Both registered NGOs and initiative groups with project implementation experience can apply for the program. The grant size is up to 5,000 US dollars. Themes of competitions for 2002:
The complete language of the CAREC's GP Guidelines will be
posted on the web site: http://www.carec.kz.
Detailed information about the call for proposals and the application deadlines will be
provided additionally. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact the Grant
Program Manager, Ms. Yelena Yerzakovich. A program of the Funding Exchange: Paul Robeson Fund supports media activism and grassroots organizing by local, state, national, and international organizations as well as individual media producers. Funding is offered to media artists whose works "reflect and comment upon society's ills while emphasizing the struggles to overcome them." The Robeson Fund primarily supports pre-production and distribution costs of social issue films and videos, as well as all stages of radio programs. All genres are considered, so long as the program combines intellectual clarity with creative use of the medium in promoting social justice; will reach a broad audience with an organizing component; and can demonstrate how the production will be used for social change organizing. The maximum grant amount is $15,000. For more information please see: http://www.fex.org/2.3_grantmakingindex.html |
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