Newsletter - second half of 2023 |
|
|
GloFouling Partnerships project, originally scheduled to finish in December 2023 was extended for 1.5 years and now with just 1.5 year left until it's completion in May 2025, is continuing with its last stage of the project to deliver all the remaining activities and to soon start the project closure process. The project's core objective is to capacitate beneficiary countries to implement the IMO's Biofouling Guidelines for the control and management of ships' biofouling. Since the beginning of the project all Lead Partnering countries (LPCs) has established their task forces, have finalized national biofouling management status assessments and majority have completed general training course on biofouling management. The Project also works in six regions with five Regional Coordinating Organizations (RCOs), who have also established their regional task forces consisting of the member states and are developing regional biofouling management strategies. Please see below outlined achievements in the second half of 2023 and a festive seasons greeting from the project coordination team. |
|
|
Key updates on Biofouling Management and Invasive Aquatic Species |
|
|
2023 IMO Biofouling Guidelines |
|
|
In July 2023, International Maritime Organization's (IMO’s) Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) has adopted 2023 Guidelines for the control and management of ships' biofouling to minimize the transfer of invasive aquatic species (Biofouling Guidelines) (resolution MEPC.378(80)) at its eightieth session (MEPC 80). These voluntary guidelines are a revision of 2011 Guidelines for the control and management of ships' biofouling to minimize the transfer of invasive aquatic species (Resolution MEPC.207(62)). Learn more here. |
|
|
Invasive species have contributed to more than half of all global species extinctions in modern era |
|
|
The Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) have completed a four year long survey. The report released in September 2023 presents the latest evidence about the status and trends of invasive alien species and outlines options for decision-makers to choose appropriate management and governance responses. The report highlighted that an estimated 70% of marine invasive infestations are connected to biofouling via ships’ hull. Learn more here. |
|
|
GloFouling Partnerships activities |
|
|
Training course package on BFMPs and BFRBs |
|
|
The project has developed a training course package on Biofouling Management Plans (BFMPs) and Biofouling Record Books (BFRBs). BFMPs and BFRBs are a key element of IMO’s Biofouling Guidelines and essential for addressing proactively the issue of biofouling on ships hulls, both from the perspective of ship owners or operators and of biosecurity officers or inspectors. The training course takes into account the newly revised Biofouling Guidelines. The aim of this training course is to capacitate stakeholders such as, government officials, ship operators and managers, ship officers, agents and others involved in the operation of ships, port state control officers, and biosecurity inspectors in each of the project’s twelve Lead Partnering Countries (LPCs). The training course as a pilot was first delivered in Tonga (13-14 July 2023) in cooperation with the Ministry of Infrastructure of Tonga, and subsequently finalized training course material was delivered in Fiji (19-20 July 2023) in cooperation with the Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji. Learn more here. |
|
|
GloFouling Partnerships have successfully continued to deliver the training course in further five of its LPCs throughout the remaining months of 2023. Brazil held it on 19-20 October, Jordan on 24-25 October, Mexico on 9-10 November, Peru on 27-28 November and Mauritius on 7-8 December. The remaining LPCs, namely Ecuador, Indonesia, Madagascar, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka, will benefit from this training in the first quarter of 2024. |
|
|
SPREP Regional Task Force meeting |
|
|
The Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) an RCO of the GloFouling Partnerships project, held its first Regional Task Force (RTF) meeting on 17-18 July 2023. The representatives from all Pacific Island countries gathered to define and discuss an action plan that would lead to a harmonized implementation of the IMO Biofouling Guidelines. As a result of the meeting a first version of the regional strategy and action plan was drafted. Learn more here. |
|
|
PEMSEA Regional Task Force meeting |
|
|
Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA) as part of its commitment to GloFouling Partnerships project as an RCO held its third RTF meeting on Biofouling Management. As a result of the meeting the RTF adopted the Regional Strategy on Biofouling Management which sets out to establish a regional biofouling support unit; support research and technology development on invasive aquatic species and biofouling; operate comprehensive awareness and capacity building programs; develop financing mechanism and fund mobilization; and foster stakeholder collaboration and engagement. The RTF also discussed the importance of gender balance in the biofouling related maritime sector as part of GloFouling Partnerships key deliverables. Learn more here. |
|
|
Global Industry Alliance (GIA) for Marine Biosafety |
|
|
The GIA for Marine Biosafety held further two quarterly meetings (12th meeting took place on the 14th September, and the 13th meeting on 6th December). During the meetings the members have continued discussions on the implementation progress of agreed activities and further action. The members have agreed on the tender process for the company carrying out the water testing for the analysis of water quality and water materials study as a result of in-water cleaning of ships’ hulls. The call for tenders will be published in quarter 1 of 2024 on IMO's website: Open Tenders (imo.org) The GIA members have also agreed on the schedule of meetings for 2024, which will take place on 22 February, 20 June, 3 October and 5 December. |
|
|
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) in cooperation with GEF and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) co-led a side event to showcase a longstanding, successful collaboration between the three organizations to drive innovation and transformative action in ocean governance, incorporating a broad range of partners at all levels. With a focus gender mainstreaming and on public-private partnerships to steer the development of solutions and technologies for key marine environment issues. Mr. Karl Lander, member of the Global Industry Alliance (GIA) for Marine Biosafety have attended the event on behalf of GIA for Marine Biosafety. Learn more here. |
|
|
Free eLearning course
Introduction to biofouling: impacts and management of risks |
|
|
The GloFouling Partnerships project has now opened to the public a free of charge course “Introduction to biofouling: impacts and management of risks”. The course includes materials, videos, animations, quizzes, a roleplay exercise, and a test. A digital certificate is awarded on successful completion. It provides a detailed introduction to multiple aspects related to ships’ biofouling, its role as a vector for the introduction of invasive aquatic species and the management solutions and technologies that are available. The Project is currently translating the course into Spanish and is scheduled to make it available at the beginning of 2024. |
|
|
Don't forget to follow us on social media | |
|
|
No longer wish to receive GloFouling correspondence? To unsubscribe send an email to glofouling@imo.org |
|
|
|
|
