OIL SPILL CONTINGENCY PLANNING IN MAURITIUS

ABSTRACT The Government of Mauritius, the International Maritime Organization, and the United Nations Environment Programme sponsored a joint project in 1987 and 1988 to establish an oil spill contingency plan for the island of Mauritius. Two main objectives were achieved: the formulation of a National Oil Spill Contingency Plan (NOSCP) for consideration by the government and the creation of a Coastal Sensitivity Atlas detailing the sensitive resources of Mauritius and the strategies to protect them. The project was in support of the Convention for the Protection, Management and Development of the Marine and Coastal Environment of the Eastern African Region and its protocol on emergency cooperation. The organizational structure of the proposed NOSCP evolved during workshops with Mauritius authorities and was expressly developed to utilize the capabilities of existing emergency response units such as the National Coast Guard, the port authority, and the fire services. The NOSCP document also recommends sup...