Prevention of marine pollution addressed at seminar

Dominica joined other countries of the wider Caribbean in expressing its intention to work towards having the Wider Caribbean declared a “Special Area” in respect of pollution by garbage from ships.

This was the focus of a two-day seminar on the Ratification and Implementation of Annex V of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships(MARPOL 73/78), held aboard the MV Freewinds in Roseau on November 16 and 17, 2007.

In his address at the workshop, Hon. Reginald Austrie, who also has responsibility for the Maritime Sector confirmed the commitment of the Government of Dominica to protect the coastal and marine environment from land and marine based sources of pollution.

Hon. Austrie also announced Government’s intention to pursue a comprehensive Marine Pollution Management Policy, “as distinct from one which merely dealt with the management of marine pollution in a piecemeal manner”.

Minister Austrie added that Government is looking at enacting the following pieces of legislation, namely: Marine Pollution Management Act; Marine Pollution Management (Ocean Disposal) Order and Marine Pollution Management (Control of Leisure Craft) Regulations.

Speaking on behalf of Prime Minister, Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit, Minister for Community Development, Gender Affairs and Information, Hon. Loreen Bannis-Roberts reiterated the importance of conserving Dominica’s natural resources for future economic development. Also in attendance at the seminar which was co-hosted by the Government of Dominica were Minister for Public Works and Infrastructural Development, Hon. Ambrose George and Minister for Public Utilities, Ports, Energy and the Public Service, Hon. Charles Savarin.

Participants from both governmental and civil society organisations, including students from secondary schools and the Dominica State College, identified several areas of concern including the need for improved solid and liquid waste management, the importance of public education and awareness on environmental issues, and implementing additional protective measures to reduce negative impacts from industrial activities such as quarrying.

The two-day seminar on the implementation and ratification of the Marpol Annex V was the third of five seminars being held throughout the Caribbean on marine pollution and attracted participants from government and civil society organisations.

The Seminar took place at a time when Governments and Civil Society Organisations in the Region are concerned about the growing unsustainable use of coastal and oceanic marine resources, which if not properly managed, could undermine the very basis of social and economic development in these Small Island and low-lying coastal states.

The Seminar was organised and facilitated by the Regional Activity Centre/Regional Marine Pollution Emergency Information and Training Centre for the Wider Caribbean Region(RAC/REMPEITC- Caribe), the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) the United Nations Development Programme (UNEP) through its Caribbean Environment Programme(CEP), and the MV Freewinds.

Consequent to discussions arising out of the Seminar, the Government of Dominica Maritime Administration intends to convene a number of national consultations at the community level