Marine Environment Initiative Launched

Demonstrating its fervent commitment to preserving the marine environment, the commercial maritime industry launched the North American Marine Environment Protection Association (NAMEPA) at the World Maritime Day Observance in New York on October 25th. Consistent with the mission of MEPA’s worldwide, the overall aim of NAMEPA is to increase environmental awareness and motivation of the human element within shipping and land-based industries which have a vested interest in the marine environment. NAMEPA’s additional goal is educating the wider public and the school communities about the critical need for marine environmental protection. Both goals will be met through cooperation with domestic and international organizations and the adoption of public awareness campaigns. Modeled after the 25 year old Greek organization HELMEPA, NAMEPA members will adopt a Declaration of Voluntary Commitment "To Save the Seas." The charter for NAMEPA was presented to Nicholas Pappadakis, Chairman of both INTERMEPA and HELMEPA at the World Maritime Day Observance and signed by members of the new organization, as well as the Secretary-General of the IMO, Efthimios Mitropoulos.