RACREMPEITC 101

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09-12 May 2011Andrew Wood Caribbean Regional Response Team

http://cep.unep.org/racrempeitcTel: +5999 868 4612Email: rempeitc@cep.unep.org

1ContentsWider Caribbean Region

RAC/REMPEITCMissionActivities- generalAchievements/Specific ActivitiesChallenges

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Wider Caribbean RegionDefined by the Convention for the Protection and Development of the Marine Environment of the Wider Caribbean (Cartagena, 1983)

28 (+1) countries41 territories

4 languages

Coastline of 55,383 kmFrom 45 km (Montserrat) to 12,135 km (Mxico)

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(+1) corresponds to El Salvador, which is also included in our workplan, although not Party to the Cartagena Convention (no Coast on the Caribbean side)English, Spanish, French and Dutch3Wider Caribbean RegionCartagena Convention

1976: Caribbean Environment Programme (Regional Seas)

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Protocol Concerning Specially Protected Areas and Wildlife(SPAW)Adopted in 1990In force since 2000

Adopted in 1999Adopted in 1983In force since 1986SPAW RAC(Guadeloupe) RAC/REMPEITC(Curacao)

Protocol Concerning Pollution fromLand-Based Sources and Activities(LBS)Protocol ConcerningCo-operation in Combating Oil SpillsCIMAB(Cuba)IMA(Trinidad)RANCARTAGENA CONVENTIONAdopted in 1983In force since 1986UNEP CAR/RCU(Jamaica)

Recognizing the importance of the marine environment for the Caribbean Region, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) was urged by Member States to create the Caribbean Environment Programme (CEP) in 1976. This was done within the framework of the UNEP Regional Seas Programme. This latter was created in 1974 to promote the sustainable development of oceans and coastal areas around the world, and notably to address their degradation, while fostering cooperation between neighbouring countries. Nowadays, more than 140 countries around the world are member of one of the 13 Regional Sea Programmes. In 1981, UNEP, in collaboration with the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), convened an Inter-Governmental Meeting for the Caribbean Environment Programme in Jamaica, where 22 Countries adopted the CEP Action Plan. It led to the adoption, in 1983, of the Convention for the Protection and Development of the Marine Environment of the Wider Caribbean Region (Cartagena Convention). This is, to date, the only legally-binding agreement for the protection of the marine environment in the Caribbean Region, and the Convention covers an area of approximately 3.3 millions km2. To support the Convention, the Caribbean Regional Coordinating Unit (CAR/RCU) was established in Jamaica in 1986, date of the entry into force of the Convention and its first Protocol, the Protocol Concerning Co-operation in Combating Oil Spills in the Wider Caribbean Region (Oil Spill Protocol). On September 1, 2010, the Convention counts 24 Parties (out of 28 possible, see list below). Two additional protocols were adopted, the Protocol Concerning Specially Protected Areas and Wildlife in the Wider Caribbean Region (SPAW Protocol) in 1990 and the Protocol Concerning Pollution from Land-Based Sources and Activities (LBS Protocol) in 2000. The SPAW Protocol entered into force in June 2000 and one Party is still needed for the entry into force of the LBS Protocol.4RAC/REMPEITCRegional OPRC Plan

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Caribbean Island OPRC Plan Central America OPRC Plan Project PanamaCosta RicaBelizeEl SalvadorNicaraguaHondurasGuatemalaCaribbean Islands OPRC Plan was developed in late 90s, and is updated every couple 2-3 years. Need to update several NCPS (some in progress). CAOP started in 2004, regional plan still not in place, as countries have not yet approved their NCP. El Salvador (2008) and Guatemala (2010) have adopted their NCP in national legislation, while all other countries are in progress. Very slow.

Colombia is part of the Permanent Commission for the South Pacific (CPPS)5RAC/REMPEITCMission

To assist countries to develop their national capabilities to implement the Cartagena Convention Oil Spill Protocol, the OPRC 1990 Convention and other IMO Conventions and Protocols relevant to preparedness for and response to oil, hazardous and noxious substances releases, and other marine environmental threats from shipsin the Wider Caribbean Region.

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Strengthen national and regional capabilities Exchange information and provide technical assistanceFacilitate cooperationPromote the ratification of relevant international instruments (AFS, BWM, MARPOL, Fund, CLC, Bunker, HNS, OPRC, OPRC HNS)6

RAC/REMPEITCActivitiesTraining coursesOPRC Level I/II/IIIOPRC/HNS (not yet delivered) GloBallast Training packagesSeminarsMARPOLAFSExercisesTechnical support/consultancyESI workshopNational OPRC workshopOil Spill Response assessmentMARPOL assessment 01/26/20117

7RAC/REMPEITCGovernance

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Governments from the Wider Caribbean RegionRAC/REMPEITC-CaribeIGOs, NGOs & IndustryIn-kind SupportDonor countriesSecondment of ConsultantAdditional budget (training)TravelProject funds

ITCP ActivitiesProject fundsSuitable office Communication facilitiesSecretarial assistance Local support services

Project funds

ITCP: Integrated Technical Cooperation ProgrammeSupport of the industry (ARPEL, CCA, ITOPF) through the IMO/IPIECA Global Initiative

ITOPF=International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation

8Activities for 2010-2011National OPRC Workshop ,NicaraguaAngel N sinking, St LuciaDeepwater Horizon Gulf of Mexico OSR Assessment & Action plan, CubaOSR Assessment & Action plan, BahamasESI (Environmental Sensitivity Index) Map development, DominicaMARPOL Annex V Workshop, PanamaAFS Convention Workshop, St. LuciaBWM Legal Training (COCATRAM), HondurasMARPOL Annex I & V Workshop, Jamaica01/10/20109

Great achievements with small, rotating staff9Activities for 2010-2011ROCRAM-CA, Costa RicaCaribbean Sea Commission, BarbadosVI Congresso Maritimo Portuario, GuatemalaCuracao Marine Pollution Advisory group62nd MEPC, IMO, LondonARPEL Meeting to Review the OSR Assessment Manual and Tool, Brazil11th OPRC/HNS Technical Group, IMO, LondonGloBallast GPTF (Global Task Force Meeting), LondonIOSC (International Oil Spill Conference) Workshop, Brazil7th MOBEX (Mobilization Exercise), Brazil01/02/201110

Great achievements with small, rotating staff10Activities for 2010-2011Senior Maritime Administrators Workshop, Trinidad and TobagoESI Map development, BarbadosBallast Water Management National Task Force Meeting, The BahamasBallast Water Management Forum, ArubaCaribbean Regional Response Team Meeting, St CroixInternational Oil Spill Conference, Portland ORUNDP OCT Funding Meeting, St. Maarten

01/02/201111

Great achievements with small, rotating staff11Activities for 2010-2011OPRC Readiness meeting, St. Maarten OPRC Readiness meeting, CuracaoREPECA meeting, GuatemalaESI Map development, Antigua & BarbudaGIS Mapping of Maritime Traffic in WCR and interactive website for risk based decision making

+ Upon request: workshops, consultancy

01/02/201112

Great achievements with small, rotating staff12Activities for 2010-2011On-going projects for 2010-2011Questionnaire requesting input for RAC/REMPEITC activities for 2012-2013Sent to all WCR countries.we received six responses.Oil Spill Response Planning Readiness Assessment Manual ARPEL (Regional Association of Oil, Gas & Biofuels Sector Companies in Latin America & the Caribbean)GloBallast Project Four Lead Partnering Countries Update of the Country Profiles

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13Activities for 2010-2011On-going projects for 2010-2011 contMARPOL Special Area designation becomes effective in May 2011GISIS Countries need to update their Port Reception Facilities for MARPOL Database of regional Oil Spill Response EquipmentOil Spill Response Equipment Customs clearance pre-authorization14

14ARPEL Manual & Tool15

15Future activitiesProposed future activities for 2012-2013MARPOL Annex I&V Regional workshop to assess implementation adequacy (English/Spanish)MARPOL Convention HaitiMARPOL Convention GrenadaAFS Convention regional workshop (English/Spanish)Spill Compensation Convention GloBallast Regional Task Force Meeting 16

16Future activitiesProposed future activities for 2012-2013OHPR-HNS Protocol GuatemalaOPRC Convention Train-the-trainer workshop ESI Mapping (English/Spanish)OPRC Convention Develop a local Oil Spill Response Committee HaitiOPRC National workshop CubaOPRC Convention ARPEL OPRC Assessment manual (English/Spanish)Biofouling Introductory regional workshop (English/Spanish) 17

17Future activitiesChallengesExtended mandateLimited financial, technical, human and material resourcesRAC/REMPEITCGovernments in the regionSustained support from industryStaff turnoverRAC/REMPEITCGovernmentLack of awareness, but also of political interest / commitmentLanguages Four languages plus local dialects18

Although the Protocol has not been modified, REMPEITC has been conducting missions outside of its original scope. IGM has extended activities to be undertaken to marine litter and ballast water. REMPEITC also conducted activities linked to pollution prevention (AFS)RAC/REMPEITC in competition for funds with other regional institutionsActivities are determined by funding opportunities, which are somehow independent of REMPEITCs will/reach (IMOs ITCP). Lack of funding from national/regional donors.Short secondments impede long-term funding seeking with institutional donors (such as GEF)Not enough staff to become an effective on-call response centre, with availability of technical advisers 24/7 to assist governments to respond to pollutions Weak maritime administrations/legislations in many countriesLack of ratification of international instruments by countries in the WCR18Caribbean Island OPRC Plan Highlights Chapter One - Intro1.4.2 Carib Plan considered a supplement to rather than a substitue for

1.4.3 Each state should develop an NCP

1.4.3 Therefore, Carib Plan is reserved for substantial spills beyond local capacity. 19

19Caribbean Island OPRC Plan Highlights ChapterTwo Organizational Plan2.2.2 Requests for assistance are between states2.8 Rapid Response Agreement Offers an intl mobilization scheme2.8.1 Major spill near a territorial border a rapid response agreement of equal right of access is considered an important function of the Carib Plan.2.8.2 Responding state will notfy the affected state of its interest in proceeding across territorial borders.2.8.2 The affected state will respond by granting or denying authorization.2.8.2 -2.8.5 details code of conduct while operating within the affected state

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20Caribbean Island OPRC Plan Highlights Chapter Three- Initiating Assistance3.1.1 Affected state should determine spill trrajectory3.3.1 Aerial Surveillance prearrange rapid permission for over flights and use of airports (NCP)3.3.3 Trained look outs3.6.1 Requests for assistance should be detailed3.8.1 -3.8.8 Info to RAC/REMPEITCOil spill equip avail to other countriesPersonnel with expertiseLaws, orders, decrees, institutions related to oil spill responseProcedure and activities related to preventionInformation of response materialsInformation on Customs and Immigration lawsInformation on Mutual Agreements.

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21Caribbean Island OPRC Plan Highlights Chapter Four CARIBPOLREP

4.1.1 Immediately inform neighboring states.

4.1.2 Provide rough prediction of spill movement

4.3 CARIBPOLREP format

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22Caribbean Island OPRC Plan Highlights Chapter Five Equip 5.1.1 List of regional sources of equip oil terminals* *REMPEITC needs to confirm5.1.2 Expectations that each state can respond to spills in its territory.5.1.3 Tiered Plan - Ea will have minimal response capability Carib plan activated only for persistent oil causes unexpected privation 5.1.4 Equip size/capacity must be worth movingPurchased/maint to protect local areaChemical Dispersant NCP, also see Chp 10List does not obligate loaning concern re trained operators, etc.

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23Caribbean Island OPRC Plan Highlights Chapter Six - Personnel 6.2.1 List details of responding personnel including name and passport info6.2.1 Each state shall maintain a list of spare personnel who can go6.2.1 List of trained personnel should be provided to REMPEITC**need to confirm6.3.3 Requesting state shall notify national customs to permit equipment entry without assessment, duty or unnecessary delays

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24Caribbean Island OPRC Plan Highlights Chapter Seven - Finances 7.1.2 Travel and wages paid by responding state

7.1.3 Living expenses paid by requesting state

7.1.5 Responding state to invoice the requesting state

7.1.6 Expenses re injured or ill personnel will be paid by requesting state

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25RAC/REMPEITCRAC/REMPEITC-CaribeSeru Mahuma z/n Aviation and Meteorology BuildingWillemstad, Curacao

Phone: (+599 9) 868 4612Fax: (+599 9) 868 4996Email: awood@cep.unep.org

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THANK YOUAlthough the Protocol has not been modified, REMPEITC has been conducting missions outside of its original scope. IGM has extended activities to be undertaken to marine litter and ballast water. REMPEITC also conducted activities linked to pollution prevention (AFS)RAC/REMPEITC in competition for funds with other regional institutionsActivities are determined by funding opportunities, which are somehow independent of REMPEITCs will/reach (IMOs ITCP). Lack of funding from national/regional donors.Short secondments impede long-term funding seeking with institutional donors (such as GEF)Not enough staff to become an effective on-call response centre, with availability of technical advisers 24/7 to assist governments to respond to pollutions Weak maritime administrations/legislations in many countriesLack of ratification of international instruments by countries in the WCR26