Meeting of the Mediterranean Network of Law Enforcement Officials relating to MARPOL (MENELAS) organised by REMPEC

The Director, José Maura, and Claims Manager, Ana Cuesta, participated in the fourth meeting of the Mediterranean Network of Law Enforcement Officials relating to MARPOL within the framework of the Barcelona Convention (MENELAS), which was held remotely from 21 to 22 April 2021.

The meeting was financed by the Mediterranean Trust Fund (MTF) and organised by the Regional Marine Pollution Emergency Response Centre for the Mediterranean Sea (REMPEC), pursuant to the 2021 Mediterranean Action Plan (MAP) of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

During the meeting, the implementation of the MENELAS Programme of Activities for the period 2020-2021 was examined, cooperation with other regional and international organisations was discussed; and the items to be included in the MENELAS Programme of Activities for the period 2022-2023 were also considered.  Of particular interest was the discussion of a proposal to define criteria to determine the environmental damage reparation, beyond compensation, for clean-up operations resulting from pollution of the marine environment from ships. The discussion also featured suggestions to harmonise practices in that respect.  The Director drew attention to the existing IOPC Funds policy for the admissibility of claims for restoration of the marine environment damaged after an oil spill.

Around 35 participants representing States parties to the Barcelona Convention as well as other interested observer States and international organisations attended the meeting.