Houston, Texas - NACE International is pleased to confirm its support for the GEF-UNDP-IMO GloFouling Partnerships Project, an initiative funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and executed by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
“This project is a timely initiative that will build on the solid foundation of the GEF-UNDP-IMO GloBallast Partnerships Programme,” said NACE International Chief Maritime Officer, Buddy Reams. “This program will enable developing countries to address the risks posed by harmful aquatic organisms and pathogens commonly transferred via biofouling.”
One of the main objectives of this initiative is to assist participating countries in building their capacity to implement the IMO 2011 Guidelines for the control and management of ships’ biofouling to minimize the transfer of invasive aquatic species. This objective complements the work being undertaken by NACE International’s Technology Exchange Groups, specifically in discussions and meetings on the “Ecological Risks of Hull Fouling,” and by a Technical Group that recently finalized a NACE Standard titled “Pictorial Standard for Evaluating Degrees of Biofouling,” SP21421-2017.
“We strongly believe that collaboration between our ongoing initiatives and the proposed Project will allow biofouling issues to be better addressed within the context of invasive species management as a whole,” said NACE International CEO, Bob Chalker. “It will also provide an opportunity to bring together all relevant stakeholders, something we believe is crucial to put effective invasive aquatic species management systems in place.”
“NACE International is committed to actively contributing and participating in the work of the GEF-UNDP-IMO GloFouling Partnerships Project,” said NACE International President and Principal at CONSULEX, Terry Greenfield. “We are confident that the GEF-UNDP-IMO GloFouling Partnerships Project will make a positive contribution to the global effort to protect the marine environment, and look forward to a close cooperation.”
About GloFouling PartnershipsGloFouling Partnerships is part of the wider efforts by the International Maritime Organization, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme and the Global Environment Facility, to protect marine ecosystems from the negative effects of invasive species. This work began in 2001 under the GloBallast Programme. The overall objective of the GloFouling Partnership Project is to build capacity in developing countries for implementing the IMO Biofouling and other relevant guidelines for biofouling management and to catalyse overall reductions in the transboundary introduction of biofouling-mediated IAS with additional benefits in the reduction of GHG emissions from global shipping.