Good news for the marine environment, beach hotels, divers and fishermen—Fujairah is looking to develop a centre for marine emergency responses.
Preliminary Meeting
On the 10th October 2011, the Fujairah Municipality, in cooperation with the Ministry of Environment and Water, held a first preparatory meeting with three visiting experts from the Regional Organization for the Protection of the Marine Environment (ROPME).
Aims
The aim of the meeting was to gather data for establishing goals for protecting the marine environment from the risks of pollution which is an urgent matter considering the increased shipping traffic in the Gulf region.
A specific goal was to look at what would be involved in creating a centre that would respond effectively to marine emergencies.
This would be the second centre in the Gulf region.
Expert Presentation
The meeting received a detailed presentation on issues to do with creating a centre and why Fujairah would be an ideal location. The meeting looked at what support would be needed for ships in the event of an emergency.
Attendees
The meeting was attended by a high-level delegation of three experts from ROPME and a number of departmental heads from the Fujairah Municipality, the Ministry of the Environment, the Port of Fujairah and the Department of Immigration and the National Commission for Crises and Emergencies.
Good News
In view of the increasing number of oil tankers in Fujairah waters and the alarming incidence of oil dumping which damages the marine environment, the Fujairah beaches, the tourism and diving industries, this proposal could help provide effective surveillance and a coordinated cleanup when pollution occurs.
Geoff Pound
More Fujairah news, resources, info, photos and videos are posted on the Fujairah in Focus Facebook Page.
Image: A snapshot taken of attendees at the meeting.
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