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Fact sheet – Climatology and Climatic Variability of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden |
Fact sheet – Guidelines for Response to Spills of Oil and Hazardous Chemicals
Title of the course
Training workshop on response to spills of oil and hazardous chemicals.
Rationale
The Consolidated Jeddah Convention (1982)
The Contracting Parties shall:
“…[formulate] national contingency plans for combating oil pollution….[and] shall co-ordinate their national plans for combating pollution in the marine environment by oil and other harmful substances in a manner that facilitates full co-operation in dealing with pollution emergencies…” (Jeddah Convention, Article IX “Co-operation in Dealing with Pollution Emergencies”, Point 1 and 3) “…cooperate in taking the necessary and effective measures to protect the coastline and related interests of one or more of the Parties from the threat and effects of pollution due to the presence of oil or other harmful substances in the marine environment resulting from marine emergencies...”(Oil Protocol, Article II):
“…individually or jointly, take all necessary measures, including those to ensure that adequate equipment and qualified personnel are readily available, to deal with pollution emergencies in the Sea Area, whatever the cause of such emergencies, and to reduce or eliminate damage resulting therefrom...” (Action Plan, Part II “Environmental management”, Point 18.6)
The revised PERSGA/IMO “Action Plan for the Development of National Systems and Regional Mechanisms for Preparedness and Response to Major Marine Oil Spills in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden” June 2005, provides structured program of interventions to develop national plans and systems in countries, and to establish a regional mechanism for achieving a coordinated response to any major spills. PERSGA through its Annual Training program, and its Technical Cooperation Program with IMO, is working continuously on improving national and regional contingency planning in the region. PERSGA has established PERSGA-EMARSGA to enhance regional cooperation and coordination in pollution spill preparedness and response.
Based on the Action Plan, PERSGA pursues supporting member states to strengthen their capacities for marine pollution preparedness and response. Development of regional procedural guidelines is important to assist in implementing contingency plans. Such guidelines will also harmonize approach and procedures of response practices among countries, which facilitates coordination, cooperation and exchange of expertise, equipment and materials. Furthermore, this will support implementation of the Regional Protocol on Movement of Equipment and Personnel, recently signed by PERSGA countries in 2009.
Objectives
The main objectives of the workshop are to:
- Review current procedures and practices taken by the different PERSGA Member States in response to an oil or chemical spill
- Discuss approaches to develop regional guidelines for standard response procedure and practices.
- Develop the framework of the regional guidelines.
Participants
Participants of this workshop will be selected based on their qualifications and career; they should include national officials responsible for response to oil spills and managing hazardous chemicals in at government authorities and the private sectors.
The total expected number for this workshop is not to exceed 25 participants.
Date and Duration
The duration of the workshop is three working days and it will be conducted during October 25-27, 2010.
Location
PERSGA regional center for Emergency Mutual Aids in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden (EMARSGA) in Hurghada, Egypt
Organizers
The Regional Organization for the Conservation of the Environment of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden (PERSGA); Proposed to be included in the PERSGA TC program with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) for 2010-2011.
Language
The training language is English. Arabic will be used as an auxiliary medium where appropriate
Training Materials/References
Details to be provided at a later stage
Instructors/Keynote speakers
Details to be provided at a later stage g