ATRAC and REMPEC Renew Partnership to Enhance Marine Pollution Response in the Mediterranean – May 15, 2025
The Adriatic Training and Research Centre for Accidental Marine Pollution Preparedness and Response (ATRAC) and the Regional Marine Pollution Emergency Response Centre for the Mediterranean Sea (REMPEC) renewed their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the margins of the 16th REMPEC Focal Points Meeting, convened in Malta from 134 to 15 May 2025.
This renewal of collaboration underscores both Centres’ ongoing commitment to strengthening regional cooperation in preparedness for and response to accidental marine pollution. As members of the Mediterranean Assistance Unit (MAU), ATRAC and REMPEC play a critical role in supporting Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention with expert assistance and technical guidance in times of emergency.
The renewed MoU provides a framework for enhanced cooperation in areas including joint training initiatives, exchange of best practices, capacity building, and operational support during marine pollution incidents.
“Strengthening the partnership with ATRAC boosts REMPEC’s ability to respond rapidly and effectively in emergencies,” commented Ivan Sammut, Head of Office, REMPEC. “This is especially critical for enhancing the capabilities of the MAU and supporting countries in need.”
The Mediterranean Assistance Unit (MAU) was established by Decision IG 3/5 of the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention during their Eighth Ordinary Meeting (Antalya, Türkiye, October 1993), within the framework of the Emergency Protocol. Its primary goal is to rapidly provide on-site and remote support by mobilizing selected experts to assist Contracting Parties facing emergency pollution incidents.
About the Mediterranean Assistance Unit (MAU)
By adopting Decision IG 17/10 (Annex 5), the Contracting Parties also approved the establishment of a special revolving fund to sustain MAU operations. This fund is maintained at a level sufficient to cover the average expenses of a one-month mission.
The MAU can be mobilized by the Director of REMPEC upon request from a Contracting Party. Its experts provide immediate advice and technical support on combating strategies, crisis management, situation assessment, forecasting pollutant behavior, and waste treatment. Medium-term support can also be extended, especially in countries with limited national capacity, to ensure effective crisis organization and intervention.
Given REMPEC’s limited human resources, the MAU plays a vital role in ensuring rapid expert deployment. The special fund is crucial in reducing response delays and supporting countries during critical early phases of marine pollution incidents.
Further information may be found: https://www.rempec.org/en/our-work/pollution-preparedness-and-response/emergency-response/request-assistance-1/experts-of-the-mau