Marine Pollution Control
The Marine Pollution Section which was established in 2000, is a relatively new addition to the organizational structure of the Environmental Protection Department (EPD). Traditionally the EPD’s wide environmental and public health protection mandate has included protection of the island’s marine resources from pollution. Over the years, officers within the EPD conducted functions related to marine pollution control in addition to other responsibilities that fell within the Department’s mandate. In recent times the EPD realized the need for greater focus on this area and the Marine Pollution Section was developed within the Department to deal with all issues related to marine pollution and specifically to implement the Marine Pollution Control Act 1998-40 (MPCA).
What are the functions of the Marine Pollution Section?
The main function of the Marine Pollution Section is to implement the MPCA by:
- Advising on the preparation of the proposed MPCA Regulations.
- Developing and conducting a Marine Pollution Monitoring Programme.
- Identifying and characterizing sources of marine pollution.
- Maintaining a Register of Pollutants and dischargers.
- Developing and updating the List of Pollutants and Prohibited Concentrations which includes marine water quality standards.
- Developing programmes to prevent, reduce and control marine pollution.
Officers of the MPS also:
- Enforce the provisions of the MPCA.
- Respond to complaints related to marine pollution including emergency response for marine pollution incidents such as oil spills.
- Educate the public and offer technical assistance in matters related to protection of the marine environment.
Types of complaints that are investigated
The Marine Pollution Section deals with any complaints in which the pollutant(s) may impact on the marine environment. Major types of complaints investigated are:
1) Oil Pollution
This includes spills/discharges from service stations or bays; oily bilge water to the marine environment and accidental spills. Depending on the size and the nature of the spill, the oil may be allowed to naturally degrade or the discharger may be required to clean up the spill. In the case of large spills the National Oil Spill Response Team would be mobilized.
2) Sewage
This includes direct monitoring of discharges from sewage treatment plants, as well as monitoring operational problems at treatment plants that may affect the marine environment.
3) Wastewater
This includes the discharge of liquid from any type of industry that may affect the marine environment. These discharges can affect the biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), nutrient content, temperature and other physical and chemical properties of the marine environment.
What other government agencies have related functions?
The EPD and the Coastal Zone Management Unit have primary responsibilities related to the protection of the island’s marine resources. Therefore, the Marine Pollution Section (MPS) of the EPD works closely with the Coastal Zone Management Unit (CZMU) to regulate activities and development that may impact negatively on the marine environment. These departments use the MPCA and the Coastal Zone Management Act 1998 (CZMA) as the main legal instruments to assist in the conservation and regulation of marine environmental quality and coastal marine resources.
While the EPD and CZMU have primary responsibility for protecting the marine environment; a number of government agencies and statutory organizations are also involved directly or indirectly in the management or regulation of the coastal and marine environment under the following broad areas:
- Decision-making with respect to integrated coastal zone management and sustainable development.
- Marine environmental protection, from land-based activities and from sea-based activities.
- Sustainable use and conservation of marine living resources.
Some of the related agencies are listed below:
- National Conservation Commission
- Town and Country Development Planning Office
- Environment Division, Ministry of Energy and Environment
- Government Analytical Services
- Environmental Health Laboratory
- Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs
- Central Emergency Relief Organization
- Ministry of Tourism & International Transport
- Port Authority (Harbour Master)
- Fisheries Division
- Chief Parliamentary Council
- Barbados Coast Guard
- Marine Division, Royal Barbados Police Force