ADDRESSING BALLAST WATER MANAGEMENT AND INVASIVE SPECIES IN THE MEDITERRANEAN REGION
A virtual webinar was organised by REMPEC on 23rd September, the aim of which was to raise awareness, enhance knowledge and share best practices on the implementation of the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments (BWM Convention) in the Mediterranean region as well as to present the latest developments regarding the proposed update of the Mediterranean BWM strategy. The Webinar was attended by 69 participants from 16 Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention as well as the IMO, HELCOM, SPA/RAC and representatives from the Odyssea Project. Knowledge was shared on the implementation aspects of and exemptions under the BWM Convention, the Mediterranean BWM strategy and regional cooperation as well as the review of the guidance factsheet related to the common indicator on non-indigenous species within the framework of the Integrated Monitoring and Assessment Programme and related assessment criteria for the Mediterranean Sea and Coast (IMAP).