EcoStrategic News

Sea Dumping Panel Renewed

July 2010

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Strategic Plan for Western Indian Ocean

May 2010

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EIA for Port Vila

Jan 2010

EcoStrategic Consultants has been contracted by engineering firm Soros Associates to undertake an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for a new container terminal in Port Vila, Vanuatu.  The EIA is part of a Bankable Feasibility Study being undertaken by Soros for the Government of Vanuatu, with funding from AusAID. The project aims to secure financing to develop a new international-class container terminal to support Vanuatu’s shipping-dependent economy, building on the existing, vastly overstretched container facility owned and operated by Ifira Trustees Ltd. (further info)

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EcoStrategic joins piracy fight

Dec 09

Following the collapse of effective governance in Somalia in the early 1990’s, foreign fishing vessels began plundering the extremely rich marine resources off the coast of Somalia, exploiting the lack of an effective maritime enforcement regime.  There are also reports that some unscrupulous operators took advantage of the governance vacuum, to use Somali waters as a dumping ground for toxic wastes.  In response, Somali coastal communities began mounting attacks on the intruders, sometimes holding hostages and demanding ransoms.  Unfortunately, this initially defensive action has escalated into a full-blown plague of piracy, which may well have developed links to organized terrorist groups. As part of the international response to this major emergency, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) is, inter alia, implementing the Djibouti Code of Conduct to combat and repress piracy. Steve Raaymakers of EcoStrategic has been engaged by IMO to develop the Implementation Plan for the Djibouti Code of Conduct (further info).

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Ballast System Type Approval

Nov 09

In July 09 we reported on the development of the NK-O3 ozone-based ballast water treatment system by NK Co. Ltd of Korea, which is being supported by EcoStrategic Consultants.  As reported the system was granted Final Approval by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in July 2009 and in November 2009 it received Type Approval from the Korean Maritime Administration.  This gives the system all regulatory clearances needed to enter the commercial market, and three systems have already been sold, two for crude oil tankers and one for a chemical tanker (further info).

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EIS Reviews for PNG

Oct 09

EcoStrategic Consultants has been engaged by the Papua New Guinea (PNG) National Maritime Safety Authority (NMSA) to undertake independent reviews of the Environmental Impact Statements for two major development projects that have major maritime implications.  These are the PNG-LNG project by Exxon-Mobil and partners and the proposed development of a new international port facility in Port Moresby by Curtain Brothers, in part to service the PNG-LNG project (further info).

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5th GEF Waters Conference a success

Oct 09

Australia’s approach to environmental protection and natural resource management was under the international spotlight from 24 to 29 October 09, when the city of Cairns hosted over 200 delegates to the 5th Global Environment Facility (GEF) International Water’s Conference (IWC-5).  The IWCs are held biennially to share lessons and experiences and plan improvements for future GEF projects.  The Conference included technical field trips to the Wet Tropics and Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Areas, to show-case Australia’s approach to protection and management of these resources.  Steve Raaymakers of EcoStrategic was engaged as Technical Coordinator for the conference.

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Biodiversity Focus in North Asia

Sept 09

On 16 and 17 September 2009 neighbours China, Japan, Russia and South Korea met in Toyama, Japan, to discuss and develop initiatives to protect coastal and marine bio-diversity in their shared seas, through the UNEP North West Pacific Action Plan (NOWPAP). This regional sea has a high level of coastal and marine bio-diversity threatened by extreme pressures, including major extractive fisheries, highly concentrated shipping, highly urbanized and industrialized catchments and heavily engineered coastlines.  An information-sharing workshop included presentation of possible models for cooperative regional bio-diversity management from other regions, and a proposal from Japan to develop a marine bio-diversity assessment tool with targets and indicators. National status reports from member-countries were also presented.  This was followed by a one-day brainstorming session to develop possible projects to conserve and protect coastal and marine bio-diversity in the NOWPAP region.  EcoStrategic Consultants facilitated the process and a report has been prepared on outcomes and proposed marine and coastal biodiversity projects, to be considered by the 14th NOWPAP Inter-Governmental Meeting in December 09. Japan will host the 10th Conference of Parties (COP10) of the International Convention on Bio-diversity (CBD) in October 2010.

IMO approves new ballast treatment system

July 09

On 17 July 2009 the 59th meeting of the International Maritime Organization's (IMO's) Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) granted Final Approval for the NK-O3 shipboard ballast water treatment system. The NK-O3 system is based on Ozone and has been developed by Korean company NK Co Ltd, with support from EcoStrategic Consultants. EcoStrategic has been appointed an agent for the system, which has been tested according to the requirements of the IMO ballast water Convention, and shown to meet the IMO treatment standards. The NK-O3 system has many benefits, including relatively low costs, small engine-room footprint, simplicity of design, easy to retro-fit to existing ships, no requirement to carry hazardous chemicals on-board (ozone is generated as required), and environmentally benign.  This system represents a major breakthrough in the fight against ballast-mediated marine bio-invasions, and provides shipowners with a highly effective tool to ensure compliance with the IMO ballast water Convention (further info).

Incident review underway

May 09

Under the Australian National oil spill contingency plan, a formal incident review is undertaken after every oil spill that is responded to under the plan, in order to identify lessons learned and make recommendations for improving oil pollution preparedness and response arrangements.  Following the oil spill in South East Queensland from the container ship Pacific Adventurer in March 2009 (see March news below), the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has established an Incident Review Team to undertake the review of the response and clean-up operation. The team comprises Mr Michael Julian as independent chairman, Mr Graham Edgley of Sydney Ports Corporation and Steve Raaymakers of EcoStrategic, supported by Mr John Gillies of AMSA.  The incident review report will be completed by end July 2009 and will be publicly available on the AMSA web site later this year.

Technical support for PNG Maritime

April 09

The National Maritime Safety Authority (NMSA) of Papua New Guinea (PNG), is the government agency responsible for the regulation of shipping in PNG, through the implementation of the international legal regime as administered by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). As PNG is both an Island Nation and a Nation of Islands – shipping is vital to the country’s economic survival and ongoing development. PNG is also extremely rich in marine resources – and NMSA’s functions include protecting these resources from pollution and other environmental impacts of shipping.  As reported previously, in 2007 and 2008 EcoStrategic Consultants worked with maritime law firm BWA, to develop a suite of new marine pollution laws for PNG – consistent with the IMO regime.  The new laws are now being prepared for Parliamentary submission, and NMSA has engaged EcoStrategic to provide ongoing technical advice and support in this area, including being ‘on-call’ to assist with the response to potential pollution incidents and related matters (further info).

Spill response upgrade for SE Asia

April 09

The region encompassed by the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), comprising Brunei, Indonesia, Kampuchea, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, hosts some of the richest, most diverse and productive coastal and marine ecosystems of the world, as well as some of the busiest shipping lanes in the world. The region is constantly threatened by the risk of shipping accidents, and has experienced many major and minor oil spills in recent years.  The ASEAN members recognize that the effective response to such incidents, often requires trans-national cooperation, and a regional Oil Spill Response Action Plan (OSRAP), has been in place since 1995.  The OSRAP lays out the principles and procedures for ASEAN members to assist each other in the event of major pollution incidents.  In light of lessons from recent major spills in other parts of the world, in 2009 ASEAN has moved to review and update the OSRAP, including the development of a new regional Strategy and Action Programme.  The project is supported by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), and is being undertaken by Steve Raaymakers of EcoStrategic Consultants.

Queensland spill response supported

March 09

On 11 March 2009 approximately 300 tonnes of Heavy Fuel Oil that had spilt from the container ship Pacific Adventurer, began impacting on Australia’s famous surf beaches and National Park islands along 60km of the South East Queensland coast, from Marcoola on the Sunshine Coast to Moreton Island, off Brisbane.  The ship’s fuel tanks had been holed when 31 containers fell overboard as the ship steamed north in rough seas and high winds, towards Cyclone Hamish.  Popular beaches, rocky headlands and several creeks and wetlands were oiled, in this highly sensitive area. Both the State and National oil spill contingency plans were activated, and the incident was declared a Disaster, triggering emergency disaster management powers.  EcoStrategic Consultants has been engaged by Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ) to provide advice on the environmental effectiveness of the spill response, including clean-up priorities and strategies, and the use of chemical oil spill dispersants.

PNG Marine Laws Completed

Dec 08

In October 07 we reported on the contract with the PNG National Maritime Safety Authority (NMSA), through Cairns - based Brian White and Associates (BWA), to develop new marine protection and pollution prevention and response legislation for Papua New Guinea.  The drafting phase of the project was completed in Dec 08, producing five new Bills with four supporting Regulations, implementing the relevant IMO and related international instruments in PNG, including the MARPOL Convention, AFS Convention, OPRC Convention and HNS Protocol, Intervention Convention, Civil Liability, Bunkers and Fund Conventions, London dumping Protocol and the international ballast water Convention.  The project involved a comprehensive stakeholder consultation process, and cabinet and parliamentary submission papers have been prepared for both passing of the Bills, and accession to those IMO marine environment protection Conventions that PNG has not yet ratified.  If passed and implemented, the new Bills will significantly increase protection of PNG’s vital coastal and marine resources from sea-based sources of pollution and related impacts, while allowing the sustainable development of the maritime sector in PNG. Further info.

Ship Inspectors as Ocean Protectors

Nov 08

When it comes to protecting the World’s oceans from ship-sourced pollution, the role of Port State Control (PSC) inspectors cannot be over-stated.  Ships must be designed, built and equipped to certain standards, as specified by the international legal regime of the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Ensuring that ships comply with the relevant international standards is the main function of PSC inspectors.  Enhanced global efforts in Port State Control in recent years, has been a significant factor in reducing the number of sub-standard ships plying our oceans, and in reducing accidents and pollution incidents.  In order to carry out these functions, PSC inspectors must have a thorough understanding of the myriad maritime legal instruments that they are charged with enforcing.  In Australia, Port State Control is undertaken by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA). The rigorous training regime for AMSA ship inspectors, includes a five-day intensive course on the International Law of the Sea and IMO Conventions, delivered by the Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources and Security (ANCORS).  As part of this course, Steve Raaymakers of EcoStrategic has been engaged by ANCORS to deliver training modules relating to the IMO marine environment protection Conventions.

Arafura Action Attracts Global Funds

Oct 08

An Action Plan to address trans-boundary threats to living marine resources in the Arafura and Timor Seas, has attracted support from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the Australian Government, as part of the broader multi-party Coral Triangle Initiative.  The project preparation grant will be used to develop a full scale project proposal and a framework for a Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis (TDA). The TDA will lay the basis for enhanced regional cooperation between Australia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and Timor Leste, for the sustainable management of their shared seas. High priority issues in the region include illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing, and the development of alternative sustainable livelihoods for coastal peoples to discourage this.  Steve Raaymakers has been engaged by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to assist development of the project, which is being coordinated by the Arafura and Timor Seas Experts Forum (ATSEF).

Barrier Reef Shipping Review

Sept 08

Steve Raaymakers of EcoStrategic has been engaged by the Great Barrier Reef Foundation - to undertake a strategic review of shipping activities in the Great Barrier Reef region. Shipping has been identified as one of five key threats to the Reef. The Foundation mobilizes private sector funding for research into protecting the Great Barrier Reef, and the review will include identification of high priority actions, that could be undertaken to improve protection of the Reef from shipping.   The Foundation’s Chairman’s Panel comprises Chief Executives and Chairmen of 33 significant Australian companies, providing the opportunity to directly educate Australia’s key business leaders about the threats and pressures on the Great Barrier Reef, as well as what is being done to address them.

Port EIA for Arab Emirate

Jul 08

EcoStrategic Consultants has been contracted by engineering firm Soros to develop a scope of works, timeline and workplan for the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of a proposed new port facility in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates. The EIA planning is part of a pre-feasibility study being undertaken by Soros, including development of the project implementation schedule, detailed engineering design, financial closure, contracts procurement, phase wise construction, and probable date of operation of the port. Environmental issues to be considered in the EIA include possible impacts of dredging and land redclamation, construction of breakwater, possible impacts on hydrodynamics and coastal processes, possible impacts on coastal and marine biodiversity and ships' waste management.

Eco-training for Aus Navy

Jun 08

According to the princple of Sovereign Immunity under international law of the sea, naval and other military forces are usually exempt from the requirements of maritime Conventions. Such exemptions may be extended to government bodies under national laws, in Australia through the similar principle of Crown Immunity. However, Australia has passed legislation requiring all government boides, including the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), to comply all relevant national and international laws. The Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources and Security (ANCORS), based at the University of Wollongong south of Sydney, has an ongoing contract to provide education and training in international maritime law, to officers of the RAN and visiting allied navies, through the Australian Defence College (ADC) in Canberra. Steve Raaymakers of EcoStrategic Consultants has been engaged through ANCORS, to lecture at ADC on international maritime Conventions relating to environment protection and marine pollution prevention and control, as well as emerging trends in environmental issues relating to shipping. The lecture series will better equip Australian and allied navy officers, with the knowledge required for improved environmental performance of naval operations.

New marine laws for PNG

Oct 07

Marine resources are of utmost importance to Papua New Guinea (PNG), which hosts some of the last remaining pristine coral reefs of the world, where coastal peoples are still reliant on susbsistence fishing for day-to-day survival, and where ongoing development of commercial fisheries forms a vital part of the country’s economic future.  These resources face a number of significant threats, including pollution from ships.  The country hosts a number of international shipping lanes, including the main transit routes between the major east coast ports of Australia and their export markets in north Asia.  There have been several incidents resulting in pollution in recent years.  As part of efforts to address this threat, EcoStrategic Consultants has been engaged by the PNG National Maritime Safety Authority (NMSA), through maritime law firm BWA, to develop new marine pollution legislation for PNG.  The new laws will implement all of the relevant Conventions of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), and provide PNG with a 21st Century legal regime for marine environment protection.

Busting ballast bugs in Busan

Oct 07

The Northwest Pacific region, comprising China, Japan, the Koreas and Russia, is at the global epicentre of the issue of ship-bourn invasive aquatic species.  The region has some of the densest shipping traffic in the world.  Shipping and ports are expanding rapidly as the region’s economies continue to expand. The massive shipyards of China, Japan and South Korea are building around 80% of the current surge in global ship tonnage.  Fisheries and aquaculture are also of utmost importance in the region, providing a foundation of protein security for around one third of the planet’s population.  The region is detecting increasing incidences of marine bio-invasions, and is also a major source of harmful species that have been exported to the coastal waters of every continent outside of Asia.  In order to begin to address these issues, EcoStrategic Consultants has been engaged to develop a framework for a Regional Action Plan on ship-bourn invasive aquatic species, for the Northwest Pacific Action Plan (NOWPAP).  The framework plan was considered and further developed by NOWPAP member States at a workshop held in Busan, South Korea 11-12 October 2007, supported by the the South Korean Government.

Valuable visit to Vladivostock

Oct 07

The Russian Far East with its Pacific coasts is a region of increasing marine environmental focus, containing more than 40% of Russia’s commercial fisheries, hosting extremely important biodiversity resources - including a number of threatened marine mammal species - and with oil and gas industries expanding on and around Sakhalin Island, the near-pristine Kamchatka Penninsula and other areas.  Invited and supported by the Sea Protection Institute of the Admiral Nevelskoy Maritime State University (MSU) and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), from 1 to 8 October Steve Raaymakers visited Vladivostock, Russia’s ‘Pacific Capital’, and participated in a number of activities.  These included presenting the keynote speech at the biennial Far East Marine Ecology Conference, assisting the first coastal cleanup to be carried out in the region under the Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup (ICC), participating in a multi-stakeholder round-table on oil and gas development in the region, and undertaking a number of interviews on marine environment protection for Russian television.

New spill manuals for PEMSEA

Aug 07

Volumes of oil carried at sea are increasing significantly with expanding global trade and economic development. The occurence and further risk of major marine pollution incidents is heightened in Asia, with major shipping lanes serving the trade routes to and from Japan, South Korea and ever-expanding China. The region's coast and oceans are of utmost importance, hosting the world's highest marine bio-diversity, 30% of world coral reefs, 40% of world mangroves and seagrasses, and producing more than 50% of global fisheries. In recognition of the need to enhance protection of these ocean values from the increasing risks of pollution, the UN programme on Partnerships for Environmental Management in the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA), has developed two new training manuals:

• Contingency Planning for Oil Spills
• Cost Recovery from Oil Spills

The manuals adopt locally-relevant case studies and approaches which will help to implement global arrangements in the region. EcoStrategic assisted technical review and editing of the manuals, through the Australasian Network of Maritime Education and Training (ANMET).

Coastal Cleanups for East Asia

June 07

As reported in July 2006, the seas and coasts of East Asia are experiencing extremely high levels of pollution from solid wastes, discharged from both land- and sea-based sources. Such marine 'litter', also called marine debris and comprising large quantities of plastics as well as derelict fishing gear, is causing significant impacts on wildlife through entanglement and ingestion, interfering with safety of navigation and severely degrading coastal amenity, tourism and recreation values. EcoStrategic is assisting the countries of the region to tackle the problem, including undertaking a Regional Review on Marine Litter in the East Asian Seas and developing a Regional Action Plan on Marine Litter for the UNEP Coordinating Body on the Seas of East Asia (COBSEA). EcoStrategic is also providing support on the issue to the UNEP North West Pacific Action Plan (NOWPAP), and provided technical expertise at workshops held in Japan, Indonesia and China in recent months.

Improving controls on dredging and dumping

June 07

EcoStrategic has recently submitted a major report to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), reviewing barriers experienced by developing countries in acceding to and complying with the international regulatory regime on the dumping of wastes at sea. The review assesses the compatibilities of various global and regional legal instruments on sea dumping; identifies legal, policy, institutional, socioeconomic and technical barriers faced by developing countries. The review also recommends a global programme of action, comprising a range of capacity-building, institutional-strengthening and technical assistance activities, to help developing countries to overcome these barriers. The report was considered by a meeting of the Scientific Group of the Protocol to the Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter, held in Spain in June 2007.

Gold award for IMO film

May 07

In March 2006 we reported on the release by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) of the film Invaders from the Sea. The 50 minute documentary, which provides a fascinating insight to the problem of ship-bourne bio-invasions, won the Gold Award in the category of “Best United Nations Feature” at this year’s third annual United Nations Documentary Film Festival, held in New York from 21 to 22 April. The film was one of 31, selected from more than 200 entries, screened at the festival. The key requirement for the festival was that films should reflect one or more of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). A DVD version of Invaders from the Sea can be purchased from IMO for £10.

EcoStrategic supports marine safety

April 07

Steve Raaymakers of EcoStrategic Consultants has been appointed to the Technical Advisory Panel (TAP) of the Australian National Marine Safety Committee (NMSC). The NMSC advises Australian Federal, State and Territory Governments on the development and implementation of national marine safety standards, laws and regulations. Raaymakers has been appointed to provide expert technical advice and support on the nexus between maritime safety and marine environmental protection; 'performance' as opposed to 'prescriptive' regulatory models; catalysing the implementation of maritime regulatory regimes through technical assistance and capacity building and addressing the human element of maritime safety through communication, training and education.

Biodiversity boost for Indonesian seas

April 07

The seas surrounding Indonesia are extremely rich in living marine resources, including major fisheries and poorly understood marine biodiversity.  They lie at the very epi-centre of global marine biodiversity - the so-called “coral-triangle” bounded by Indonesia, the Philippines and Papua New Guinea (PNG). This marine "Garden of Eden" is known to have the highest diversity of species of mangroves, seagrasses, fishes and corals in the World.  As part of global efforts to conserve marine bio-diversity, the Census of Marine Life (CoML) has secured US$40K in funding from the Sloane Foundation, to begin to include the Indonesian Seas in CoML. Initial actions include the establishment of a National Task Force and Secretariat, undertaking a status review with proposals for action, and establishing an information system. Preparation of the funding proposal was supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and undertaken by EcoStrategic Consultants, and constitutes part of co-financing for the GEF/UNDP Arafura and Timor Seas project proposal.

Maritime impacts of climate change

March 07

Global climate change is affecting all aspects of human life. The maritime sector, including shipping, fisheries, offshore oil and gas and coastal and marine tourism, is no exception. A number of major impacts are foreseen, including an increase in frequency and severity of extreme whether events, opening of new navigation routes through melting of sea ice, especially in Arcrtic areas, flooding and erosison of coastal areas, and changes in fisheries resources due to effects of climate change on ocean eco-systems.

While there is a wealth of information and events on the scientific aspects of global climate change and on the impacts upon different sectors, no specific information is available and very little action has been taken to date with regard to climate change and the maritime sector. To begin to address this major gap, the World Maritime University (WMU) in Malmo, Sweden, is convening an international conference Impacts of Climate Change on the Maritime Industry (ICCMI2008), in Malmo 2-4 June 2008. Steve Raaymakers has been appointed to the Adivsory Committee for the conference (further information iccmi@wmu.se).

Environment action for East Asian ports

Feb 07

With a high rate of ongoing economic development in East Asia, most major industrial ports in the region are undergoing significant expansion, and may new ports are being developed. Such development can have significant environmental impacts. In order to assist the integrated environmental management of major ports, the UN programme on Partnerships for Environmental Management in the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA), has developed the Ports Safety, Health and Environmental Management (PSHEM) Code, for both port authorities and companies operating in ports. The code has a number of elements including modular training packages, a comprehensive guidance manual on PSHEMS implementation and a manual and guidelines for ports on pollution contingency planning and cost recovery. EcoStrategic Consulants has been contracted by PEMSEA to undertake detailed technical review and editing of these manuals, ready for publication in mid 2007.

New Pacific partner

Feb 07

Another consultant has joined EcoStrategic’s global network of independent partners; Jeff Kinch based in Papua New Guinea. Jeff is a maritime anthropologist with a wealth of experience in the the soceo-economic and cultural as well as natural resource management aspects of marine resources in Papua New Guinea, broader Melanesia and the Western Pacific. He has lived and conducted research in traditional island communities in extremely remote areas, and has worked and is working on a number of major bi-lateral and multi-lateral development assistance projects; with governments, NGOs, universities and inter-governmental organizations. Jeff's joining helps to further strengthen the EcoStrategic network (consultants' CVs).

Ship-wreck site assessed

Jan 07

As reported in August 06, on 1 July 06 the bulk carrier ZHI QIANG, carrying 40,000 tonnes of raw sugar from Townsville to Korea, grounded on Long Reef in the Louisiade Archipelago, Papua New Guinea. The salvage-team refloated the ship successfully - there was some release of oil and cargo.

In December 06, EcoStrategic deployed a team to the Louisiade Archipelago to carry out an assessment of potential damage to the reef and associated marine resources, and to assess possible reparations to native communities, who own and use the marine resources of the area. The expedition was carried out over a 10 day period, and found that environmental damage was relatively restricted and that damaged areas are showing strong signs of ecological recovery. Satisfactory reparation arrangements were progressed with local island communities.

Panel positions for EcoStrategic

Jan 07

Steve Raaymakers of EcoStrategic has been appointed to the Scientific and Technical Advisory Panel (STAP) of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the Introduced Marine Pests Consultancy Panel (IMPS Panel) of the Australian Federal Fisheries department (DAFF).

The GEF helps developing countries fund projects and programs that protect the global environment. The STAP provides strategic scientific and technical advice and comprises fifteen members who are internationally recognized experts in the GEF’s key focal areas. Raaymakers has been appointed in both the biodiversity and international waters areas.

The DAFF IMPS Panel provides consultancy advice to the Australian Federal Government on an as-requested basis, on the ongoing development and implementation of the Australian National System for the Prevention and Management of Marine Pest Incursions.

Intercepting invasives in Istanbul

1 Nov 06

From 23 - 27 October 2006 in Istanbul, Turkey, consultants Adnan Awad, Tamara Shiganova and Steve Raaymakers provided training on the prevention and control of invasive aquatic species, to government officials from the littoral States of the Black and Caspian Seas (Bulgaria, Georgia, Romania, Russia, Turkey and Ukraine and Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazahkstan, Russia and Turkmenistan respectively).

The course was specifically adapted to the needs of the Black and Caspian Seas, considering their enclosed nature and focussing on developing a response to the severe impacts caused by the introduction of the North American comb-jelly; Mnemiopsis leidyii.

The training was based on the modular course developed in 2005 by the Global Invasive Species Programme (GISP), and was hosted by the Black Sea Commission. The model course is highly adaptable and suitable for delivery in all regions of the World.

Race to stop volcanic flood

10 Sept 06

EcoStratgic has deployed two consultants to Sidoarjo Regency in East Java, Indonesia, to assist urgent efforts to save towns and villages from a raging torrent of boiling, volcanic mud.

Since May this year, when the Banjar-Panji 1 gas exploration drill unexpectedly hit a ‘live’ volcanic seam, 50,000 cubic metres of burning, toxic, liquid mud; has gushed to the surface each day – spreading, smothering and burning valuable croplands and forests as well as urban areas.

Villages who’s very livelihoods are at stake have taken up arms, and the ecology of the Porong River and wetland system is threatened. Emergency plans are being implemented to contain and direct the volcanic flood. One option under consideration is to divert the volcanic flow to the ocean. The consultants sent through EcoStrategic are assisting the environmental risk assessment and management of the ocean disposal option.

Global review of sea dumping controls

29 Aug 06

The International Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter, 1972 (the London Convention), and its 1996 Protocol are designed to protect the marine environment from the dumping of wastes at sea..

In order to assist existing member States that are non-compliant, and to encourage further accessions to the Protocol, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has contracted EcoStrategic to undertake a global review. The review will describe barriers to the effective implementation of sea dumping controls in developing countries, and develop recommendations for future technical cooperation programmes, designed to remove the identified barriers.

Ship grounding assessment

6 Aug 06

On 1 July 2006 the bulk carrier ZHI QIANG, carrying 40,000 tonnes of raw sugar from Townsville to Korea, grounded on Long Reef in the Louisiade Archipelago, Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea. The salvage-team refloated the ship successfully, despite inclement weather and considerable damage to the port-side hull and holds. She was then towed to Port Moresby for further assessment. The incident resulted in some release of oil and cargo. EcoStrategic has been engaged to provide environmental advice and carry out an assessment of potential damage to the reef and associated marine resources.

Cleaner seas for East Asia

27 July 06

The seas of East Asia, extending from Malaysia in the south to the Koreas in the north, face a wide range of pressures and impacts, not the least of which is from marine debris, garbage and litter, especially plastics, washed into the sea from land-based sources and discarded from ships.

The East Asian Seas Regional Coordinating Unit (EAS/RCU) of the the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), has contracted EcoStrategic Consultants to develop a Regional Plan of Action on the Sustainable Management of Marine Litter in the East Asian Seas. The draft Regional Plan will be considered for adoption at the inter-governmental meeting of COBSEA (Coordinating Body for the Seas of East Asia), in early 2007.

Timor Sea team-work

17 May 06

The tropical Timor and Arafura Seas are shared by Australia, East Timor, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea, and are extremely rich in living and non-living marine resources, including major fisheries and oil and gas resereves. These trans-boundary seas face threats from illegal fishing, marine pollution and degradation of coastal habitats.

EcoStrategic has been engaged by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to help develop a proposal to the Global Environment Facility (GEF), for a project to enhance cooperation on trans-boundary issues between Australia, East Timor, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. The project will be developed in close coordination with the Arafura and Timor Seas Expert Forum (ATSEF).

Reef damage assessed

5 May 06

On 1 May 2006 the log-carrier MV ULSWATER grounded on the reef off Nusalomon Island, while leaving the Port of Kavieng, New Ireland, Papua New Guinea. The ship was refloated successfully with no damage to the ship or release of pollutants. EcoStrategic was engaged to carry out an assessment of potential damage to the reef and associated marine resources, from the physical impact of the grounding.

The assessment found that environmental damage was relatively restricted and that damaged areas are likely to recover. Satisfactory reparation arrangements were also progressed with the small community that resides on Nusalomon Island.

New partners

11 April 06

Two additional independent consultants have joined EcoStrategic’s global network of partners; Dr Esther Fondo in East Africa and Dr Julian Roberts in New Zealand. Dr Fondo is a marine scientist with specialist expertise in fisheries, oceanography, marine pests and the implementation of technical cooperation programmes. Dr Roberts is a marine scientist with specialist expertise in IMO affairs, oil pollution, shipping and offshore oil and gas issues, and the application of GIS solutions (partners).

Lost & abandoned fishing gear

6 April 06

EcoStrategic has been engaged by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), to undertake a global review of the problem of lost and abandoned fishing gear, and make recommendations for action.

The study falls out of the Draft Resolutions of the 60th United Nations General Assembly (Agenda Item 75(a) – 25 Oct 05) and is funded by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Regional Seas initiative.

Film release

24 March 06

The Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) launched a new world-class Television Documentary entitled Invaders from the Sea. The high-quality, 50 minute film provides a fascinating insight to the problem of ship-bourne invasive species.

The documentary was produced by the BBC Natural History Unit in Bristol, UK, and was funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), IMO and three major international shipping companies. The project was initiated and developed by Steve Raaymakers when working at IMO 2000 - 2004, and he continued to act as an adviser to the project after establishing EcoStrategic Consultants in March 2005. Invaders from the Sea will be distributed for global television broadcasting and a DVD version can be purchased from IMO.

Pacific Islands International Waters

21 March 06

EcoStrategic has signed a contract with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to undertake the Terminal Evaluation of the GEF Strategic Action Programme for the International Waters of the Pacific Small Island Developing States (IWP).

Alan Fox of Transboundary Consulting leads the evaluation team, which also includes Ana Tiraa of Fisheries and Environmental Resource Consultants and Steve Raaymakers of EcoStrategic.

Reef lessons for Baltic

20 Feb 06

On 20 Feb 06 the World Maritime University (WMU) in Malmo, Sweden, organized and hosted a Think-Tank under the European Union - funded BalticMaster initiative. The Think-Tank considered future directions for the management of shipping, under the recently declared Particularly Sensitive Sea Area (PSSA) for the Baltic Sea.

Steve Raaymakers of EcoStrategic Consultants was engaged by WMU to advise on lessons that might for learned for the Baltic, from the World’s first PSSA, which covers the Great Barrier Reef.

Canadian coastal risks assessed

7 Feb 06

Ottawa-based maritime consultants BMT Fleet Technology (BMT) have been awarded a contract by Transport Canada, to further develop the Ballast Water Risk Assessment Decision Support System that they developed on a trial basis for the Great Lakes in 2005, for extension to all Canadian coasts. Steve Raaymakers is acting as an adviser to the project.

Preventing pollution for profit

1 Jan 06

The GEF / UNDP / IMO programme on Partnerships for Environmental Management in the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA), has dedicated the Dec 05 issue of its quarterly journal Tropical Coasts, to the subject of Port Safety, Security and Environment. It includes an article by Steve Raaymakers of EcoStrategic, entitled Preventing Pollution for Profit. The article outlines the benefits of taking an integrated coastal and catchment management approach to the environmental management of major ports. It explores the relationship between improved environmental performance and increased profits for port businesses.

Marine invasives in Africa

17 Nov 05

From 14 to 17 November 2005 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, the Global Invasive Species Programme (GISP), in cooperation with the UNEP Regional Seas programme and the Government of Tanzania, ran the inaugural delivery of its new model training course on Marine and Coastal Invasive Species. The course was attended by senior scientists and officials from East African countries that are parties to the Nairobi Convention.

Steve Raaymakers of EcoStrategic was engaged by GISP to review and help further develop the course, and to lecture on several modules during the course delivery. The model course is highly adaptable and suitable for delivery in all regions of the World.

Global assessments of shipping

3 Nov 05

From 31 October to 3 November 2005 the International Ocean Institute (IOI) held the 31st bi-annual Pacem in Maribus (Peace in the Oceans) conference in Townsville, Australia. The current state of Global Marine Assessments was a major theme for the Conference, and Steve Raaymakers presented a paper entitled Maritime Transport & Global Marine Assessments: Out-of-sight and Under-stated?

Steve’s presentation asserts that despite their actual and potential significance; the impacts of shipping are most often poorly addressed in global marine assessments. Assessments of the impacts of shipping are often patchy, non-comprehensive, undertaken by industry-related groups, and poorly reflected in broader assessments. The assessment and management of the shipping industry remains staunchly sectoral and generally outside of global moves towards a more integrated, holistic, cross-sectoral and ecosystem-based approach to marine assessments and oceans management models.

Value through versatility

September 05

In order to reduce overheads and costs to clients, EcoStrategic has adopted a business model based on independent partnerships and strategic alliances, rather than building a large staff of its own.

In September 2005 EcoStrategic announced the formation of relationships with a number of groups, covering a wide range of expertise, including aquatic and atmospheric science (NIWA), naval architecture and marine engineering (BMT, MaST) and maritime policy and law (CMP), as well as a range of individual consultants from a variety of backgrounds (Partners).

Preventing pests in the Pacific

31 August 05

EcoStrategic submitted the final draft of the Regional Strategy on Shipping-Related Introduced Marine Pests for the Pacific Islands (SRIMP-PAC), to the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP).

The Strategy aims to protect coastal and marine environments in the Pacific islands region by preventing, reducing and controlling the introduction of shipping-related introduced marine pests (IMPs). It provides a framework and mechanism for regional cooperation.

The Regional Strategy provides a potential model for application by Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in other parts of the World, such as the Caribbean and Indian Ocean. Development of the Strategy was funded by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), through SPREP’s PACPOL programme.

Ships’ ballast partnerships project

25 July 05

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has contracted EcoStrategic to undertake preparatory work for the new GEF project proposal - Building Partnerships to Assist Developing Countries to Reduce the Transfer of Harmful Aquatic Species (also known as GloBallast Partnerships). The consultancy includes, developing a background report on current status in all Regional Seas of the world, developing draft ‘vulnerability criteria’ to assist the prioritization of regions for assistance under the project, facilitating a global stakeholder workshop at IMO in London to review the above and advising IMO on the outcomes of the above.

Assisting Aussie’s neighbours

May 05

EcoStrategic has been contracted by the Centre for Maritime Policy (CMP) at the University of Wollongong, to provide advice to the Australian Government, on ways that Australia might best work cooperatively with neighbouring countries, to prevent the introduction of marine pests.

The consultancy also includes advice on ways Australia might work to ensure the rapid development and implementation of an international regulatory regime on bio-fouling, including through cooperation with other countries.

Great Lakes risk assessment

March 05

Ottawa-based maritime consultants BMT Fleet Technology (BMT) have been awarded a contract by Transport Canada, to develop a Ballast Water Risk Assessment Decision Support System, on a trial basis for the Canadian Great Lakes, and possibly later extension to all Canadian Coasts.

Steve Raaymakers is acting as an adviser to the project.

EcoStrategic established

March 05

Steve Raaymakers has established EcoStrategic Consultants as a new, globally active environment consultancy – Australian Business Number (ABN) 527 943 09036.

EcoStrategic provides marine and coastal services, with specialist expertise in ports and shipping issues, backed with strong capabilities in terrestrial environments and broader natural resource management.

EcoStrategic can deploy a single consultant to undertake specific tasks, or assemble tailor-made project teams for larger projects, through a global network of partner organizations and independent associates.

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