Title of the course:
Training on “Oil Spill Sensitivity Mapping”.
Rationale
The Regional Action Plan on Contingency Planning for the Region provides the framework through which states agree to cooperate with each other in the event of a major oil spill or other event that requires a regional rather than a national response.
The newly-established Marine Emergency Mutual Aid Centre (PERSGA-MEMAC) is aligned with the implementation of the Regional Contingency Plan. The MEMAC acts as a Regional resource to coordinate pollution prevention and control mechanisms among PERSGA Member States, foster collaboration, and assist States in strengthening national capacity.
Furthermore, the Action Plan proposes a comprehensive programme for training at various levels; e.g. for ‘On-Scene Commanders’ at oil spills, and in specialized areas such as ‘oil spill mapping’ and ‘coastal sensitivity mapping’.
Objectives of the meeting
The making of sensitivity maps – and keeping them up to date – is a key activity in the contingency planning process. The maps should be based on surveys of the coastline and should be designed to achieve two principal aims. First, the maps should identify, and ideally place in order of priority, environmentally sensitive areas, which would have priorities for protection in the event of a major spill. Secondly, the maps should classify the coastline according to the type of beach (e.g. sandy, pebbles, rocks, cliffs, etc.) since the clean up methods will vary depending upon the type of shoreline that needs to be cleaned.
Sensitivity maps can either be on paper or the data can be contained within a Geographic Information System (GIS). The results of the sensitivity mapping process should either be contained in, or linked to, the National Contingency Plans.
Participants
Participants of this workshop will be the national officials responsible for combating oil pollution in emergencies at the regional level.
The total expected number for this course is not to exceed 25 participants.
Date and Duration
The duration of the course is three working days, and it will be conducted during May 28-29, 2009.
Location
PERSGA – MEMAC, Hurgada, Egypt.
Organizers
The Regional Organization for the Conservation of the Environment of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden – PERSGA
The International Maritime Organization (IMO)
Language
The training language is English. However, translation to Arabic will be available.
Training Materials/References
To be provided later.
Training Sessions (Schedule)
Outline Programme for the Regional Workshop On Sensitivity Mapping
The following is a suggested outline program (3 days) for the Regional Workshop on Sensitivity Mapping. It should be taken as a guide for the workshop and can be modified as required.
1. Introduction to sensitivity mapping: value and uses
2. Designing maps for particular uses
3. Inventory maps: resource categories and information sources
4. Strategy planning and response maps: features and information sources
5. Information: collection and collation
6. Simple mapping exercise
7. Formatting maps for ease of use
8. Using aerial photography
9. Linking sensitivity maps with contingency plans
10. Sensitivity and vulnerability of resources to oil spills
11. Categorising and prioritising resources
12. Vulnerability indices and the ESI method
13. Mapping exercise
14. Formatting maps for ease of use
15. Additional information linked to maps
16. GIS sensitivity mapping
17. Principles of GIS construction and use in oil spill applications
18. Planning an oil spill sensitivity GIS programme
19. Introduction to MAPEDIT or other mapping system
20. Demonstration: GIS map manipulation
21. Hands-on exercise 1
22. Overview of oceanographic approach to oil spill modelling
23. Strategy for oceanographic database establishment
24. Demonstration: basic GIS map editing
25. Hands-on exercise 2
26. Introduction to GIS construction
27. Defining layers and creation of objects/symbols
28. Digitising new objects
29. Hands-on exercise 3
30. Importing digital data
31. Object properties
32. Object attributes
33. Single point operations
34. Course summary
Question and answer session