PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
Phase II of the Mediterranean Action Plan (MAP Phase II) was adopted in Barcelona in July 1995 and includes oil spill response capabilities among the priority fields of activities for the environment and development in the Mediterranean (1996-2005). Cyprus, Egypt, and Israel attach great importance to limiting the impact of major oil spills on their water and coastal resources, due to their high value in terms of ecological balance and their contribution to national economies. This project aims at strengthening the cooperation between Cyprus, Egypt, and Israel in responding promptly and effectively to major oil spills and at improving their capabilities to respond to serious marine pollution incidents, either individually or jointly, through the implementation of the Subregional Contingency Plan.
OBJECTIVES
The overall objectives of the project were to improve national systems for preparedness for and response to accidental marine pollution of Cyprus, Egypt, and Israel, as well as the relevant subregional system concerning these three countries. More specifically, the objectives of the project were to: · Further improve the existing national systems for preparedness for and response to accidental marine pollution of Cyprus, Egypt and Israel, including the updating of their respective National Contingency Plans; · Strengthen the Subregional System for combating major marine pollution incidents concerning Cyprus, Egypt, and Israel, by conducting new specific activities related to its technical and operational aspects; · Review and update the Subregional Contingency Plan; · Improve the existing national and subregional communication networks and increase their efficiency in case of emergency; · Train enough response personnel in the subregion in specific aspects of oil spill response, in order to make the three countries concerned capable of effectively implementing the Subregional Contingency Plan; and · Extend when appropriate the Subregional Contingency Plan to other Parties to the Barcelona Convention and its Emergency Protocol of the subregion, taking into consideration its geographical coverage.
RESULTS
The project has reached its objectives and has been quite successful, especially given the gradual deterioration of the political situation in the Middle East and resulting security concerns. These concerns have meant that some activities were cancelled. However, the beneficiary and the National Operational Authorities have been resourceful and have replaced some of these activities with new activities. The activities that were cancelled were related to the oil spill model and were not critical to reach the project’s objectives. The project has strengthened national spill response capabilities in Cyprus, Egypt, and Israel by developing course manuals and delivering training in protecting sensitive areas and coastal resources, cleaning up the shore line, communication and reporting, and conducting joint oil spill response exercises. All of the project’s outputs are of high quality, well written, clear, and concise. The trainees have provided positive feedback on the courses. Israel’s Ministry of Environment sent a letter of congratulations to REMPEC after the Haifa exercise. During the period of implementation of the project, Cyprus and Israel invested almost €3 million in oil spill response equipment, vessels, and material. This investment shows that these countries take oil spill preparedness and response seriously and this project has acted as a catalyst to boost the effectiveness of their spill response systems. This investment is a good indicator of the long-term sustainability of the project.The project has reached its objectives and has been quite successful, especially given the gradual deterioration of the political situation in the Middle East and resulting security concerns. These concerns have meant that some activities were cancelled. However, the beneficiary and the National Operational Authorities have been resourceful and have replaced some of these activities with new activities. The activities that were cancelled were related to the oil spill model and were not critical to reach the project’s objectives. The project has strengthened national spill response capabilities in Cyprus, Egypt, and Israel by developing course manuals and delivering training in protecting sensitive areas and coastal resources, cleaning up the shore line, communication and reporting, and conducting joint oil spill response exercises. All of the project’s outputs are of high quality, well written, clear, and concise. The trainees have provided positive feedback on the courses. Israel’s Ministry of Environment sent a letter of congratulations to REMPEC after the Haifa exercise. During the period of implementation of the project, Cyprus and Israel invested almost €3 million in oil spill response equipment, vessels, and material. This investment shows that these countries take oil spill preparedness and response seriously and this project has acted as a catalyst to boost the effectiveness of their spill response systems. This investment is a good indicator of the long-term sustainability of the project.