Online information webinar about the Global industry alliance (GIA)

As part of the consistent implementation of the GloFouling partnership project, a ground-breaking Global Industry Alliance (GIA) has been launched on June, 8 2020, coinciding with the World Ocean Day’s celebration, to tackle two of the most pressing environmental issues– invasive species and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The aim of the maritime champions joining the GIA is to work together with GloFouling Partnerships to leverage human, technological and financial resources; facilitate industry input into policy development and a positive pull for reform processes; and develop and disseminate technological solutions to improve biofouling management.

On this wake, The GloFouling Partnership project PCU (Project coordination Unit) has convened an online information webinar, on June 22, 2020 to provide with general overview on the GIA, its objectives, the benefices of joining the GIA alliance and what are the next steps. For the instance, four majors industries with wide-experience in marine Biofouling management have joined the GIA, namely ecosubsea (Norway), hullwiper (UAE), cleansubsea (Australia) and sonihull (UK), and as indicated by the technical project manager, the GIA is open to any industrial

entities, large or small, wanting to join the collective effort to address the global environmental challenges such as marine bioinvasions and biofouling issues.

The Regional organization for the conservation of the environment of the red sea and the Gulf of Aden (PERSGA) which is one of the regional strategic partners in the 5-year GEF-UNDP-IMO GloFouling Partnerships Project, has participated in this webinar.

Ms. Lilia Khodjet El Khil, the technical project manager, presented the webinar alongside with two GIA members CleanSubSea and HullWiper.

2. GloFouling Partnership Project Virtual meeting

The GloFouling Partnership project PCU (Project coordination Unit) has convened a three hours virtual and extraordinary meeting using the WebEx platform, on May 11, 2020. The web based meeting was aiming to open discuss about update of achievement so far with regard of activities under GloFouling project, challenges and the consequences of COVID-19 and the mitigation measures to put in place in order to deal with any disruption due the new pandemic.

Around twenty Port State Control Officers, Environmentalists, Captains and representatives from three Regional Coordinating Organizations (RCOs) such as PERSGA, PEMSEA and SACEP, and Lead Partnering countries (LPCs) from Indonesia, Madagascar, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, Philippines, and PERSGA Member State, namely Jordan, attended this virtual meeting.

The virtual meeting provided an excellent and effective platform for participants to present their progress report, exchange views, and discuss challenges, ideas and recommendations on the way forward.

The PCU reported that significant delays (8 months at least) in delivery of trainings, workshops and meetings at national and regional levels− due to the expected long timeline for resumption of business as usual and travel− would be observed and expected. The next regional Round Table meeting with all RCOs is most likely going to be conducted remotely in July 2020.

In light of the current pandemic outbreak impacts on the project progress, the PCU and the project executive committee have positively welcomed to engage RCOs and discuss alternative ways and means to deliver national and regional activities as mitigation measures to the impact of COVI-19, and i.e to investigate the possibility to use or increase the use of on-line tools to convene regional meetings for RCOs.

Online Webinars

 1- The impacts of biofouling in marine aquaculture

The Regional organization for Conservation of the Environment of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden (PERSGA) has participated to the online webinar organized by the Glofouling PCU organized on 30 January 2020 entitled “The impacts of biofouling in marine aquaculture”.

It was aimed to highlight the key impacts, and the different antifouling methods in use for the prevention and control of biofouling on finfish, seaweed and shellfish aquaculture.

It was presented by Dr Dr. Nina Bloecher is a senior scientist at SINTEF Ocean, based on Trondheim, Norway, with a PhD in Marine Biology from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology.

Further information can be found there:

https://www.glofouling.imo.org/webinars

2- Vessel-Check: an aquatic biosecurity risk assessment tool,

The Regional organization for Conservation of the Environment of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden (PERSGA) has participated to the online webinar organized by the Glofouling PCU organized on on Wednesday, 10 June 2020.

The presentation described the vessel risk assessment portal “Vessel-Check” which provides comprehensive, transparent, consistent and science based method to aid the maritime industry and governments in identifying actions that can as low as reasonably practicable mitigate the risk of vessels transferring IAS across the world’s oceans. The Vessel-Check portal aids in the early detection of vessel mediated biofouling and allow for more effective risk management options. The portal is also designed for vessel owners/operators to provide information to biosecurity management agencies. The Vessel-Check has been developed by the government of Western Australia.  The lectures presented by Dave Abdo, Senior Scientist – Aquatic Pest Biosecurity, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Government of Western Australia

3- Online Webinar entitled: “Effect of biofouling on ship performance and energy efficiency”

Marine biofouling is an increasing problem from both economic and environmental points of view in terms of increased fuel consumption, increased Greenhouse Gas emissions and transportation of harmful non-indigenous species.

The Regional organization for Conservation of the Environment of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden (PERSGA) has participated to the online webinar organized by the Glofouling PCU organized on July, 22, 2020 entitled “Effect of biofouling on ship performance and energy efficiency”. This virtual webinar comes in the framework of the GloFouling partnership project implementation of public awareness activities.

GloFouling Partnership project webinars are an opportunity to discover specific aspects, challenges and solutions, across all the maritime sectors, related to biofouling and invasive aquatic species.

The purpose of this virtual meeting to the participants was to discover about research and theoretical studies that actually focus on the influence of the frictional resistance due to the biofouling on ships hull thus affecting its performance and increase the fuel consumption. The lecture was delivered by Dr. Yigit Kemal Demirel, a senior lecturer (associate professor) from the University of Strathclyde in UK.

The answers to the question, “How might the roughness of biofouling and fouling-control coatings be related to full-scale ship resistance and powering?” have been discussed thoroughly. The state-of-the-art and novel experimental and numerical

methods have been presented, along with the future directions in research on the issue.

The online webinar provided an excellent and effective e-platform for participants to share knowledge ideas and recommendations on how to scale up the simulations mathematical modeling at real scale, and ultimately increase awareness on the biofouling global issue that may impact marine biodiversity and hamper the sustainability of new initiatives related to the Blue Economy.

Around 150 participants representing different sectors (Ports, shipping, private sector, governments’ agencies, etc) from all around the world attended the online webinar.

4- Global Industry Alliance (GIA) for Marine Biosafety:

The Regional organization for Conservation of the Environment of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden (PERSGA) has participated to the online webinar organized by the Glofouling PCU organized on 22 June 2020.

This online webinar aimed to provide with general overview on the GIA, its objectives, the benefices of joining the GIA alliance and what are the next steps.

further information can be found there:

https://www.glofouling.imo.org/webinars

5- “Effect of biofouling on ship performance and energy efficiency” on Wednesday, 22 July 2020.

The Regional organization for Conservation of the Environment of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden (PERSGA) has participated to the online webinar organized by the Glofouling PCU organized on 22 July 2020, entitled “Effect of biofouling on ship performance and energy efficiency”.

The purpose of this virtual meeting to the participants was to discover about research and theoretical studies that actually focus on the influence of the frictional resistance due to the biofouling on ships hull thus affecting its performance and increase the fuel consumption. The lecture was delivered by Dr. Yigit Kemal Demirel, a senior lecturer (associate professor) from the University of Strathclyde in UK.

6- Ecological engineering of marine infrastructure for biosecurity on Thursday, 20 August 2020.

The Regional organization for Conservation of the Environment of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden (PERSGA) has participated to the online webinar organized by the Glofouling PCU organized on 20 August 2020, entitled “Ecological engineering of marine infrastructure for biosecurity”.

The presentation outlined the results of a literature review and explained a large scale field experiment on the factors that influence the settlement of invasive aquatic species on marine infrastructure. Dr Nina Schaefer, research associate affiliated with

Macquarie University and the Sydney Institute of Marine Science, has delivered the presentation.

7- Risk of dissemination of the nonindigenous Orange cup coral from ship hulls and oil/gas platforms in the South West Atlantic”

The Regional organization for Conservation of the Environment of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden (PERSGA) has participated to the online webinar organized by the Glofouling PCU organized on 10 september 2020, entitled “Risk of dissemination of the nonindigenous Orange cup coral from ship hulls and oil/gas platforms in the South West Atlantic”.

It was aimed to present the effective alternatives for the control and management of this non-indigenous species in natural and artificial substrates.

Dr. Ricardo Coutinho, Senior Researcher at the Instituto de Estudos do Mar Almirante Paulo Moreira (IEAPM), in Brazil delivered this presentation.

8- An update on the review of the Biofouling Guidelines (Thursday, 22 October 2020)

To be updated soon

National workshop of the GEF-IMO-UNDP GloFouling Partnerships Project and National Task force meeting on Bio fouling management and invasive aquatic species in Aqaba-Jordan

Under the framework of the GEF-UNDP-IMO GloFouling Partnerships project to tackle invasive aquatic species worldwide, in cooperation with the international Maritime Organization (IMO) and the Aqaba of Special Economic Zone authority (ASEZA), the regional organization PERSGA have co-organized a national workshop hosted by the Jordan Maritime Commission (JMC) from 11 to 12 November 2019 in the port city of Aqaba -Jordan.

It aimed to raise awareness on biofouling as a pathway for non-indigenous species and discuss approaches on how biofouling should be controlled and managed to minimize the transfer of invasive aquatic species through ships’ hulls. Among the participants were representatives of various maritime sectors, including marina ports and civil society organizations.

The debate highlighted biofouling issues and vectors, also the impact of invasive aquatic species along the Jordanian coastline. At the end of the Workshop, participants agreed on the establishment of the National Task Force and agreed on the next steps. A communication platform among all the members of the Task Force will be developed, which will assist to define a national policy on biofouling and invasive species in Jordan. The members will also draft the national strategy and action plan to implement the IMO Biofouling Guidelines.

The next step for the GloFouling Partnerships in Jordan will be to develop national baseline reports to assess the current situation regarding non-indigenous species and biofouling management practices. Currently available research on the subject will be identified and the potential economic impacts assessed, with a view to facilitate informed policy decision-making.

The Regional Organization for the Conservation of the Environment of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden (PERSGA) in cooperation with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) held a three day Regional Workshop on the 2011 Guidelines for the control and management of ships’ biofouling to minimize the transfer of invasive aquatic species, (Biofouling Guidelines). Two international experts, Mr. Markus Helavuori, Technical Officer from the Marine Environment Division, International Maritime Organization (IMO) and Dr. Patrick Lewis, International consultant from Australia, provided the lecture material and gave the presentations at this Workshop. The workshop was held in the premises of the Emergency Mutual Aid in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden (EMARSGA) in Hurghada-Egypt during the period Monday the 14^th of September 2015 until Wednesday the 16^th of June September 2015. The training workshop was dedicated to promoting the implementation of the international Conventions related to biofouling organisms aiming to protect the unique biodiversity of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden from Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) associated with fouling organism. The workshop included a site visit to a leisure boats dry Dock, where a detailed presentation was given by Dr. Captain Mamdouh Meligy, EMARSGA Director. .Dr. Meligy explained the activities of the dry dock and the importance of getting rid of biofouling organisms to the protection of the fragile and unique environment of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. In addition the consultants showed the participants the hidden parts within the structure of the boat that are considered important niches for the growth of biofouling organisms.

The workshop was intended for those governments from the Ministries of Environment, Flag and Port State Officers and Scientists.

Training places were awarded to a maximum of three participants from each PERSGA member state: Djibouti, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Sudan. Unfortunately participants from Yemen were not able to attend the workshop. As the host country, Egypt was represented by 9 persons making the total number of participants reaching 19 participants. The delivery of the regional training workshop was highly successful, and generally met the overall objectives. The invited participants were active and involved with the course and the site visit, and benefitted greatly from their participation over the workshop of three days. Some of the participants have asked to hold similar workshops at the national level and asked for additional workshops dedicated to the identification of biofouling organism. PERSGA and IMO are to endeavour to accommodate requests for further technical cooperation activities in the region, taking into consideration the available budgets and plans of both organizations.

Further information can be found here:

http://www.persga.org/allNews

IMO news

Biofouling alert

A regional workshop on the management of biofouling is being held in Egypt (14-16 September). The workshop, which also aims to raise awareness of the biofouling guidelines, is organized in cooperation with The Regional Organization of the Conservation of the Environment of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, (PERSGA). Around 23 participants are attending the workshop from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Djibouti and the Sudan. IMO’s Markus Helavuori is representing IMO at the event.

Reinforcing anti-fouling implementation

A national workshop aimed at boosting port State control and flag State implementation of the Anti-Fouling Convention is being held in Egypt (16-17 September).  The workshop aims to raise awareness of the implications of implementing and enforcing the convention. Technical issues, such as environmentally sound practices for the disposal of waste generated in applying and removing anti-fouling systems, will also be discussed. The workshop is being hosted by the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport (AASTMT). It has been organized under a Memorandum of Understanding between IMO, the Government of Egypt and the AASTMT. IMO’s Theofanis Karayannis is delivering the technical content. Egypt became a party to the International Convention on the Control of Harmful Anti-fouling Systems on Ships in 2012.