Workshop on marine environment protection begins in Mumbai

Delegates from 10 countries Monday began deliberations on various aspects of marine environment protection at a workshop organised by the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) here.

The three-day workshop on marine environment protection is being attended by delegates from 10 countries, the ICG said in a release.

The workshop, which will go on till Wednesday, will also see some practical exercise in deep sea, it said.

The workshop is part of the National Level Pollution Response Exercise (NATPOLREX-VII) which was inaugurated by ICG Director General Rajendra Singh, the release said.

The objective of the exercise is to validate procedures for inter-agency coordination and preparedness of the ICG which holds the largest stockpile and capabilities in South East Asia for marine oil spill response, resource agencies and other stakeholders in responding to a major oil spill in Indian waters, it said.

The seminar consists of presentations by delegates from representatives of coast guards of Bangladesh, Japan, South Korea, Sri Lanka besides ICG, India's DG Shipping and ONGC, the release said.

In addition, observers from coast guards, maritime agencies, navies and border force of countries like the US, Australia, Vietnam, Thailand, Tanzania, Seychelles, Nigeria, Mozambique, Maldives, Mauritius, Kenya, Indonesia and Cambodia, among others, are participating in the exercise.