Jordan, the Philippines and Indonesia, through their respective training institutions, have delivered the training course on marine biofouling to a wide range of maritime stakeholders in their respective countries.
The training package was developed by GloFouling Partnerships and provides a detailed introduction to the multiple aspects related to marine biofouling, its role as a vector for the introduction of invasive aquatic species and the management solutions and technologies that are available.
Due to the COVID travel and meeting restrictions, the methodology for delivering this training course was through national experts designated by each country and provided with guidance by the GloFouling team in London.
In the Philippines, the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) held the training course from 25 to 28 October 2021 via video conference. The course served as a vehicle to capacitate maritime trainers from MARTI for future deliveries of the training and was also attended by representatives from the maritime training institutions (MTIs), maritime higher education institutions (MHEIs), academic institutions, government agencies, and private stakeholders.
During her opening remarks, the MARINA Deputy Administrator for Operations, Engr. Nannette Z. Villamor–Dinopol highlighted the commitment of the Philippines to minimize the harmful impacts of aquatic biofouling to the marine environment as one of the Lead Partnering Countries of the GloFouling Project. MARINA – Overseas Shipping Service Officer-In-Charge, Ms. Precilla C. Jara, delivered the closing remarks reiterated the country’s manifestation to continually protect the marine environment despite the unprecedented challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic. “I am encouraging everyone to be more determined, resilient, and never get tired of steering our ships towards a globally competitive, greener, healthier, and environmentally sound maritime industry,” Ms. Jara emphasized.
In Jordan, the training course was held in a hybrid format from 26 to 27 September 2021 at the premises of the Jordan Academy for Maritime Studies (JAMS), in collaboration with the Aqaba of Special Economic Zone authority (ASEZA), the Regional organization for the Conservation of the Environment of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden (PERSGA).
Representing PERSGA, Mr. Mahmoud Ahmed provided opening remarks on behalf of PERSGA´s Secretary General, H.E. Prof. Dr Ziad Abu Ghararah and highlighted the importance of preventing the impact that IAS could have on the PERSGA region, which is extremely rich in biodiversity, rendering it a global conservation value and the dependence of the countries of the region on the coastal and marine environments as a key element in economic development, including coastal fisheries, tourism, maritime industry and other activities. Among the participants were representatives of various maritime sectors, including Aqaba ports and Maritime affairs Authorities.
The training course in Indonesia was held from 1 to 2 November in a hybrid format with attendance of over 100 participants that included government officials, harbour masters and port state control officers with a need to understand better the problem presented by biofouling so they can create and implement regulations and ensure that biofouling is managed without damaging the environment.
As in other countries, the course was delivered by a mix of national experts and some professors from the BP3IP Maritime Education Centre, and was inaugurated by Mr Ahmad Wahid, Director of Marine Safety and Seafarers, and strong support from the officers and personnel of from DGST that have been providing continuous support to the work of IMO and GloFouling Partnerships to demonstrate how Indonesia leads the way in Asia to find solutions for biofouling.
