Caribbean Builds Oil Spill Response Capability

Developing and maintaining sound capability to respond effectively to marine pollution incidents involving oil, hazardous and noxious substances is a priority in the Caribbean, which is home to many vulnerable ecosystems.

In response, the Curacao-based Regional Marine Pollution Emergency, Information and Training Center for the Caribbean (REMPEITC-Caribe) organized a trans-boundary oil spill response exercise in Suriname (27-28 August).

The event brought together response managers from Suriname and their western neighbor Guyana to test their response plans and discuss international coordination in case of an oil spill.  The workshop built on previous national contingency planning workshops held in both countries, examining revisions made to both plans.

All these activities are in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in particular SDG 14 – Life Below Water, as they aim to develop capacity to protect marine and coastal ecosystems.

International Maritime Organization (IMO) funded the event and also sponsored a female Guyanese representative to attend the event through its IMO Women in Maritime program