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News : Bahamas Information Services Updates Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM


International Oil Spill Workshop Held to Improve Partnerships and Response Mechanisms
By Betty Vedrine, BIS
Dec 30, 2016 - 1:23:52 AM

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Nassau, The Bahamas - Fifteen countries participated in a four-day oil spill workshop in mid-December at the Lowell Mortimer Maritime Institute on Coral Island.  Minister of Transport and Aviation, the Hon. Glenys Hanna-Martin, welcomed the delegates at the commencement of the workshop, held December 15-18, 2016.

Under the theme, ‘Networking and Enhancing  Partnerships,’ Minister Hanna-Martin said that such workshops were extremely important, and comprised a mechanism for evaluating the National Maritime Policy Plan.

“Regional cooperation is crucial in planning and responding to oil spills,” said the Minister. “The objective is to review and improve national and regional oil spill plans.” Once the plans have been reviewed, they are enhanced in order to further strengthen the region's response capabilities.

She said that the protection of the marine environment is ‘crucial’ to sustained development of the wider Caribbean region, inclusive of The Bahamas.

“It must be remembered that the oceans are connected, hence what impacts one nation potentially impacts all,” she said.

She said The Bahamas is committed to the protection of the marine environment, which is considered to be one of the most precious resources next to human resources.

“The establishment of the National Oil Spill Advisory Committee and National Oil Spill Plan was critical in the assisting to protect the marine environment. There are several governmental and private sector entities that comprise the national oil spill advisory committee. All stakeholders were consulted in the establishment  of the plan, which is constantly reviewed by stakeholders,” said Mrs. Hanna-Martin.

The Bahamas is party to the International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Cooperation (OPRC), an international maritime convention establishing measures for dealing with marine oil pollution incidents, nationally, and in co-operation with other countries, and MARPOL, an International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships.

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