Pollution response can be faster and more effective when there is an established emergency communications and emergency system. Mediterranean Countries recently met at a regional workshop held in Brussels, Belgium (22-23 October), to explore the set-up of a common emergency communication system for marine pollution incidents that connects the entire Mediterranean region. During the event, representatives from 12 Mediterranean countries* received training in the European Union's Common Emergency Communication and Information System for Marine Pollution from ships and off-shore units (CECIS).
The participants, responsible in their countries for preparedness for and response to accidental marine pollution, also explored how CECIS, which currently covers EU Member States, could be further developed as a regional emergency communication tool connecting all Mediterranean countries.
They agreed that a proposal should be prepared by the Western Mediterranean Region Marine Oil and HNS Pollution Cooperation (West MOPoCo) Project. The proposal will be submitted to the 2021 Focal Points Meeting of the IMO-administered Regional Marine Pollution Emergency Response Centre for the Mediterranean Sea (REMPEC).
The workshop was organised by REMPEC in collaboration with the Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations of the European Commission (DG ECHO).
* Albania, Algeria, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Egypt, France, Israel, Malta, Montenegro, Morocco, Spain, Tunisia and Turkey.