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MED Forum News

Employment offer: Coordinator of Desertification Area

Oil Hazardous dumping into the Marmara Sea: Volgoneft 248 disaster

Other News

Call for NGOs Cooperative Environmental Projects in CEE countries

ARCHELON - the Sea Turtle Protection Society of Greece. Volunteer Opportunities.

 

Employment offer: Coordination of Desertification Area

MED Forum, Mediterranean NGO Network for Ecology and Sustainable Development, needs to hire an employee to work in its Barcelona office, as

COORDINATOR OF COMBATING DESERTIFICATION AREA

Full working day, during one year (which can be extended).

It is required:

English and French, spoken and written is essential.

Spanish and Arabic knowledge will also be considered.

Management capacity and initiative.

Flexibility to travel.

Previous knowledge and experience on Mediterranean problems and combating erosion and desertification issues will be considered.

Her/His tasks will be:

Follow up at national, Mediterranean and international level of issues related with combating erosion and desertification.

Implementing the actions of the MED Forum Network in this field: drafting of reports and dossiers, international meetings organization, preparation and coordination of projects on the field.

Representing MED Forum’s positions before international organizations and in other international fora.

Remuneration according to value and experience.

Deadline for applications: 10 April 2000.

Send your CV by mail to:

MED Forum

Combating Desertification Area

Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 643 – 3er.

08010 BARCELONA (SPAIN)

or by e-mail to: medforum@pangea.org Subject: Coordinator of Combating Desertification Area.

The following letter on the oil tanker Volgoneft 248 accident was sent to Mr. Chabason, Coordinator of the Unit for the Mediterranean Action Plan, on January 2000.

«Dear Sir,

MED Forum, Mediterranean NGO Network for Ecology and Sustainable Development, made up by 91 NGOs from 23 countries of the Mediterranean, have seen with great concern the oil tanker "Volgoneft 248" accident which occurred in front of the coast of Istanbul. This accident, and the previous one occurred in the Atlantic with the Maltese oil tanker "Erika", show the little efficiency of the present "Protocol concerning cooperation in combatting pollution of the Mediterranean Sea by oil and other harmful substances in cases of emergency" (Emergency Protocol").

MED Forum has publicly declared to be:

- against "the irresponsible attitude of the big oil companies, of the shipowners, of the countries which grant "these flags of convenience" and of those that harbor the oil companies, which provoke accidents of criminal magnitude that go against human life and all other forms of life".

- against "the lack of "efficiency" shown by international Conventions in demanding preventive measures to be taken up by both the shipowner companies and the oil companies, so that the risk of oil-discharge and toxic waste discharge accidents are reduced to a minimum, affecting human lives and nature as little as possible".

Faced with this we have asked for severeal matters, contained in the attached document, from which we would like to underline the one directly affecting the Barcelona Convention and the Mediterranean Action Plan:

"That a new Protocol of the Barcelona Convention for the protection of the Mediterranean be written up so as to take into account the issues stated in the aforementioned points, since the current "Emergency Protocol" (Protocol Concerning Cooperation in Combatting Pollution of the Mediterranean Sea by Oil and Other Harmful Substances in Cases of Emergency) is antiquated and has proved to be totally ineffective in coping with situations such as the one of the Volgoneft 248".

Dear Sir, we would like to ask you to have access to the maximum information on the "Volgoneft 248" accident, according to the articles 8 and 9 of the "Emergency Protocol", and on the actions that was possible to carry out from the Coordinating Unit and from the Contracting Parties. Also we ask you to urgently convoke a meeting to prepare the writing of a new protocol or the deep modification of the present, where the NGOs want to take part actively, according to the paragraph I.A.1.5 of the "Recommendations and budget-programme for the financial biennial period 2000-2001"

Yours sincerely,

Rafael Madueño

Secretary General. MED Forum. Mediterranean NGO Network

c.c: Dr. Francis Zammit Dimech, Maltese Minister for the Environment and President of the Bureau of the Contracting Parties.»

We attached to this letter the following press release:

«MED FORUM PRESS RELEASE ON THE OIL TANKER VOLGONEFT 248 ACCIDENT IN THE MEDITERRANEAN.

Barcelona, January 11^th, 2000

In view of the oil tanker Volgoneft 248 accident which occurred on December 29, 1999, in front of the coast of Istanbul (Turkey) in the Mediterranean Sea of Marmara, MED Forum, Mediterranean NGO Network for Ecology and Sustainable Development, made up by 91 NGOs from 23 countries of the Mediterranean Basin,

Manifests:

The great ecological threat posed by the great quantity of tankers that transport enormous amounts of oil along the Mediterranean, especially due to its character as a landlocked sea with a turnover time of more than 90 years.

The danger of polluting the more than 46,000 km. of coastline and the numerous islands, 200 of which are inhabited.

That the Mediterranean represents only 0.7% of the area of the world’s oceans, but yet has to bear 35% of the crude oil world trade.

That between 60% to 70% of the pollution in the Mediterranean is caused by routine actions carried out by tankers navigating the sea. Thus, according to a METAP Report (World Bank, EIB, European Union and UNDP) from 1993, cleaning the tankers’ bilge-water every three weeks causes an equivalent amount of pollution to that provoked by the Exxón Valdez.

That approximately 60% of the oil tankers sail under the "flag of convenience".

 

Denounces:

The lack of concrete executive mechanisms to demand the enforcement of the existing security measures, not only on the part of the tankers that transport crude oil and other toxic substances, but also on the part of the receptors and producers who require these substances.

The irresponsibility of the countries who grant these "flags of convenience", giving preference to their own economic interests rather than considering the hazards to human life and to nature all over the world.

The direct responsibilities of the "8 big oil companies" that use hydrocarbons and that make use of tankers which do not fulfill the minimum security regulations and are not in conditions of assuming the risks of destruction implied by the material they are transporting.

The lack of "efficiency" shown by international Conventions in demanding preventive measures to be taken up by both the shipowner companies and the oil companies, so that the risk of oil-discharge and toxic waste discharge accidents are reduced to a minimum, affecting human lives and nature as little as possible.

The irresponsible attitude of the big oil companies, of the shipowners, of the countries which grant "these flags of convenience" and of those that harbor the oil companies, which provoke accidents of criminal magnitude that go against human life and all other forms of life.

Faced with this situation, MED Forum demands that:

The necessary measures be adopted so as to force the oil companies that make use of hydrocarbons and toxic materials to use "safe means of transportation", establishing a strict regulation on "admission for unloading" of those ships that transport these types of substances. That measures of shared responsibility be adopted against both shipowner companies, whose ships could be immobilized and heavily fined as a dissuasive move, and the oil companies, establishing certain conditions that would make it more profitable for them to hire tankers that follow safety regulations than to hire "antiquated" ships with a license from countries that do not carry out any type of inspection.

That the "8 big oil companies" , who are the main responsible agents for these types of accidents, take upon themselves all the responsibility derived from accidents caused by ships that do not fulfill the safety requirements established; that is to say, economic responsibilities that allow the environment to return to its previous state, and penal responsibilities for the death of all the forms of life affected.

That the European Union, and those States that have oil companies, especially if they are "the 8 big ones", assume their responsibilities, setting up strict European regulations to guarantee a maximum of preventive safety measures, to penalize irresponsible attitudes, and to judge accidents on a large scale as criminal actions, adopting punitive measures that make it "economically" unprofitable to hire ships from shipowner companies that do not fulfill safety requirements.

That a new Protocol of the Barcelona Convention for the protection of the Mediterranean be written up so as to take into account the issues stated in the aforementioned points, since the current "Emergency Protocol" (Protocol Concerning Cooperation in Combatting Pollution of the Mediterranean Sea by Oil and Other Harmful Substances in Cases of Emergency) is antiquated and has proved to be totally ineffective in coping with situations such as the one of the Volgoneft 248. »

And Mr. Chabason, Coordinator of the Unit for the Mediterranean Action Plan, answered the following letter:

«Dear Mr. Madueño,

I read with the greatest interest your letter dated 18 January 2000 and attached MED Forum press release on the oil tanker Volgoneft 248.

Let me first ensure your organization that the Coordintating Unit of the Mediterranean Action Plan fully shares your concerns with regard to the pollution of the marine environment due to accidental or operational oil spills.

This is the reason why we proposed to the Contracting Parties that the process of revision of the emergency protocol be undertaken with a view to strengthening its provision and extending its scope to prevention.

As far as the accident of Volgoneft 248 is concerned, it took place, as you certainly know, in the Marmara sea which is located out of the region the Barcelona Convention covers.

Therefore, this accident cannot be put forward as a proof of the inefficiency of the Mediterranean protocol.

Nevertheless, considering the geographical proximity, Rempec followed the situation and provided me with the following information:

"The tanker Volgoneft 248 was carrying 4,363.565 tonnes of cargo at the time of grounding in position 40º58.55N. -28º46.61E. The bow section (with some estimated 2000 tonnes of oil in it) sank in a depth of around 30 meters, whilst the stern section with 1,020 tonnes of oil grounded.

This part of the cargo was totally removed and the stern section was successfully refloated opn 10 January 2000 and towed off Flrya. The sunken bow section, an the oil still in it, will be removed; at the time, the date is unknown.

Due to the position of the accident, the Mediterranean basin was neither affected nor threatened by the oil spilt from the Volgoneft.

Clean-up operations continue to progress well. A crisis committee, composed of representatives of all relevant competent authorities (Ministry of Environment, Istanbul Municipality, Coastal Safety, Istanbul Port Authority and Ship Salvage Administration) was set up for overseeing the progress of the clean-up operation. Local environmental organizations are collaborating with the Turkish Authorities with regard to the impacat of the spill to the environment and to the bird life.

The work is carried out by a local clean-up company (MEKE) contracted since 1^st January 2000 for an initial period of 60 days, and paid by P& I Club.

Oil on the beaches has penetrated the sand to a thickness of 10-12 centimeters in places, forming a stiff cake-like consistency which is easy to lift off the underlying clean sand. Although the impression given form photographs, is that pure oil is collected, the contaminated layer actually consists of oil-saturated sand. On sunny days, the oil liquefies and becomes noticeably more sticky and difficult to handle.

Until now (forty days work) some 1,000 tonnes of oily material (mixture) were collected and transported to the designated waste disposal site in Izmit, 130 kilometers form the spill site.

There is an undetermined quantity of sunken oil which is gradually washed ashore by storms and then removed from the coast.

We should point that the Turkish Authorities reacted promptly to the accident: at the same time they were rescuing the crew early morning 29 December, the environmental protection officials were at the site trying to take precautions against the spillage.

Due to the characteristics of the accident and the location of the casualty (very close to the coast - the vessel's stern was at 183 meters from the coast road - in Turkish internal waters, very far away from any other country), the Turkish Authorities did not consider it necessary to call for any assistance/collaboration from other countries, since they have decided that the support provided by the insurers (P & I Club) and the ship-owners was enough. The technical assistance was provided since the beginning by the experts of ITOPF and P & I Club. On the other hand, the follow-up of the accident has shown that there were no reasons to inform the neighboring countries and to call for international co-operation.

However, as soon as the accident occurred, REMPEC provided all its Operational Focal Points with the relevant information, committing itself to keeping them informed in case of significant changes, although the area was not covered by the Emergency Protocol."

This Secretariat is conscious of the need to draw lessons from the two recent accidents as well as from the evolution in the last 20 years.

It is a fact that there has been a serious decrease in oil spills of high or medium importance since the 70s.

However the danger remains that a serious accident occurs.

Regarding our protocol, the Secretariat prepared, even before this recent event, a draft which represents a substantial progress in the direction of prevention and an increased effectiveness, keeping in mind that MIO is the appropriate framework for the strengthening of rules which are related to global maritime safety and whichj have to established at a global level.

Our intention is to hold an expert meeting in September 2000. Your organization as well as interested environmental issues and professional NGOs will be consulted on the draft and invited to the meeting as usual.

Looking forward to reading from you, I remain.

Yours sincerely,

Lucien Chabason

Coordinator

Mediterranean Action Plan»

Call for NGOs Co-operative Environmental Projects in CEE countries

The Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe (REC) from Hungary has launched a call of tender for cooperative environmental projects proposals. To encourage NGOs to work together to solve transboundary or region wide environemental problems, the REC offers grants of up to 25,000 Euros to NGO teams. The topic is not predefined: any type of environmental problem, but which is faced by more than one country. That means at least two NGOs from at least two different countries with a common problem. NGOs must be from Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) countries. That includes some Mediterranean countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Slovenia and Yugoslavia.

The projects will be financed by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ «Social Transition Programme Central and Eastern Europe». The application is a two-part process. In the first part, NGOs write a short Concept Paper briefly describing their projects (15.4.00). REC will evaluate the Concept Papers (15.5.00) and the top ones will be selected. Those selected NGOs will be asked to write a detailed Project Proposal (30.7.00) for a final evaluation (30.8.00). Grant winners will be notified and invited to the REC headquarters (15.9.00).

If you have some proposals or ideas, do not hesitate to contact with MED Forum. We can help you to prepare your application, to look for partners, to support your project, etc.

Deadline for Concept Papers: April 15, 2000.

Application forms and more information:

Adriana Craciun

REC, Grants Department

Ady Endre ut 9-11, 2000 SZENTENDRE, Hungary.

Tel. +36 26 311 199, fax +36 26 311 294.

e-mail: acraciun@rec.org.

ARCHELON-the Sea Turtle Protection Society of Greece. Volunteer Opportunities.

Working for the endangered sea turtles in Greece:

Acquire experience in the field

Enjoy interacting with volunteers from several countries

Work at the last remaining nesting areas of the loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) in the Mediterranean.

For more than fifteen years, ARCHELON - the Sea Turtle Protection Society of Greece, has been conducting conservation projects on all major nesting grounds of the loggerhead in Greece.

If you are over 18, have at least 4 weeks available, can cope with demanding work and rough living conditions, can communicate in English and feel committed to protect nature, then join ARCHELON's efforts.

The following placements are now announced:

During the year 2000 nesting season (May to October) on Zakynthos, Crete and Peloponnesus.

Volunteers are involved in fieldwork, public awareness and maintenance. Volunteers stay in basic designated campsites.

All year round at ARCHELON's Rescue Centre, situated in Athens

Volunteers are involved in sea turtle rehabilitation, public awareness and maintenance work. Accommodation is provided at the Centre.

Volunteers cover their own travel and food costs as well as other personal expenses.

Research opportunities are available for undergraduate and graduate students.