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Marine Pollution and Emergency Response Support System (MPERSS)

 

The WMO in conjunction with IMO and UNESCO have established a framework for a global Marine Pollution Emergency Response Support System (MPERSS). In July 1998 an International Conference and Workshop (MARPOLSER 98) was held in Australia to progress the development of this international maritime emergency support system.

National Meteorological Services are traditionally called upon to provide a range of meteorological and oceanographic data and services to support operations in response to various marine pollution emergencies, normally working closely with national response agencies when incidents occur in territorial or international waters.

To ensure similar services are available in developing countries and international waters WMO in 1994 established MPERSS (see http://www.maes-mperss.org/. This system has been designed to provide a coherent, internationally coordinated approach to the provision of meteorological and oceanographic services worldwide to marine pollution incidents no matter where and when they happen.

The objectives of the MARPOLSER 98 conference/workshop was to:

  • Review the nature and types of marine pollution emergencies which may occur, as well as the clean up and other operations which may be required in response;

  • To clearly define the types and scope of meteorological data and services which are required to support these operations, including pollution transport and dispersion models;

  • To provide guidance and technical support for those national Meteorological Services with responsibilities defined under MPERSS to develop their support activities to the highest level;

  • To provide a forum for the service providers to interact with the service users - national marine pollution emergency response organisations or equivalent - on the types and structure of the services required, delivery modes, time and space scales, etc.

The following papers (prepared and presented by The Australian Maritime Safety Authority) provide information relevant to MPERSS.


The content of this page is from The Australian Maritime Safety Authority.

 

(Last Updated: 10-08-2007)