A National Marine Pollution Contingency Plan

After a period of consultations, a Memorandum of Understanding has been concluded today between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Environment and the UNEP/IMO Regional Marine Pollution Emergency Response Centre for the Mediterranean Sea (REMPEC). This Memorandum aims for the development of a national system of preparedness and response to marine pollution emergencies in the Maltese Islands.

Under this Memorandum, which is the first of its kind, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Environment and REMPEC agree to work together and join efforts to improve Malta's response capabilities in case of such an emergency. The role of REMPEC is to facilitate the establishment of the organisational, legal and administrative arrangements of the National Marine Pollution Contingency Plan and to contribute to the technical aspects of the Plan through assistance in the preparation of sensitivity maps and spill models.

The Government of Malta considers the establishment of an updated national system for preparedness and response to marine pollution emergencies as a high priority due to the potential extensive negative effects of a maritime incident on the economy and the natural environment of the Maltese Islands. Although a number of initiatives have already been taken, the existing threat necessitates the further development of the national system into a National Marine Pollution Contingency Plan.

For this reason, it has been agreed that the UNEP/IMO Regional Marine Pollution Emergency Response Centre for the Mediterranean Sea (REMPEC) will assist the Environment Protection Department within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Environment in the preparation of a project proposal on sensitivity mapping and spill modelling for submission to the European Union for possible funding under the LIFE financial mechanism.

This Memorandum of Understanding has been signed by Ambassador Saviour F. Borg as the Representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Environment and Mr. Jean Claude Sainlos, the Director of REMPEC.