Webinar on the implementation of the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments in the Mediterranean region

Remote event
  • When Sep 23, 2020 from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM
  • Where Online, via KUDO
  • Add event to calendar iCal

In keeping with the theme of World Maritime Day for 2020: "Sustainable shipping for a sustainable planet", some 69 participants, from various ministries, departments, agencies and other stakeholders, took part in a virtual webinar (23 September) to raise awareness, enhance knowledge and share best practices on implementation of the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments (Ballast Water Management (BWM) Convention), and its application in the Mediterranean region, amid the global pandemic.

The webinar, the first to be organized online by the Regional Marine Pollution Emergency Response Centre for the Mediterranean Sea (REMPEC), gave an overview of the
BWM Convention and updated participants on revisions to the Mediterranean BWM Strategy with respect to changes in international regulations, since entry into force of the BWM Convention in 2017. Knowledge was shared on the preparation of a Mediterranean Strategy for the Prevention and Response to Marine Pollution from Ships (2022-2031), and a review of the guidance related to the common indicator on non-indigenous species of the Integrated Monitoring and Assessment Programme and related assessment criteria for the Mediterranean Sea and Coast (IMAP).

According to a recent REMPEC Study, vessel-introduced non-indigenous species have been estimated to account for 26% of all species introduced in the Mediterranean. In the last ten years, the number of taxa in the Mediterranean Sea has continued to increase, posing a significant threat to humans in terms of health and recreational activities as well as environments and indigenous species in the region.

The need for a unified approach to address problems of ballast water and invasive species in the Mediterranean region was echoed in presentations delivered by the International Maritime Organization, the Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission, the Specially Protected Areas Regional Activity Centre (SPA/RAC), and the ODYSSEA Project, as well as representatives from the 16 Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention.

The presentations and related video recording can be accessed below for each session of the Webinar:

Subject

Speakers

Presentation Material

Video Recording

Opening session

·      Opening remarks and overview of webinar objectives

·      Introduction to programme and facilitators

IMO/REMPEC

 

Recording

THE BWM CONVENTION AND INVASIVE SPECIES IN THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA

Introduction to the BWM Convention

·       BWM Convention background, objectives, and structure

·       Articles and technical provisions of the BWM Convention

·       Exemptions under the BWM Convention

IMO

Dr. Megan Jensen

Presentation

Recording

The invasive species from ballast water in the Mediterranean Sea

·       Information on invasive species in the Mediterranean Sea

·       The relationship between invasive species and ballast water

SPA/RAC

Mr. Atef Ouerghi

Presentation

Recording

EXEMPTIONS UNDER THE BWM CONVENTION

Experience so far: exemptions under the BWM Convention in the Baltic Sea

·       Regional cooperation

·       Tools and guidelines

·       Best practices

HELCOM

Ms. Marta Ruiz

Presentation

Recording

Odyssea Project, its Platform and models –contributing to the implementation of the BWM Convention

ODYSSEA

Prof. Georgios Sylaios

Presentation

Recording

MEDITERRANEAN STRATEGY ON SHIPS' BALLAST WATER MANAGEMENT, INCLUDING ITS ACTION PLAN AND TIMETABLE

Overview of the Mediterranean BWM Strategy and proposed update

·       Background

·       Framework and key requirements of the Mediterranean BWM Strategy

·       Implementation of the Mediterranean BWM Strategy

·       Update process

REMPEC

Dr. Lynn Jackson (consultant)

Presentation

Recording

Q & A SESSION

All participants

 

Recording

CLOSING SESSION

IMO/REMPEC

 

Recording