ROMA (ITALPRESS) – It was signed in Rome, in the headquarters of the General Command of the Harbour Offices, a Protocol of Understanding between the Higher Institute for Environmental Protection and Research and the General Command of the Harbour Body – Guard Costiera, aimed at further strengthening institutional cooperation in the protection of the marine and coastal environment. The agreement consolidates a path of collaboration already developed in the past, expanding its scope of intervention and introducing new operating instruments.
In fact, Ispra is a national technical-scientific body to support environmental policies and a reference point for the activities of the National Environmental Protection System (SNPA), which carries out analyses, monitoring and controls for the protection of marine and coastal ecosystems.
The Coast Guard, on the other hand, is engaged daily in the supervision, in the protection of the marine environment, in the control of the marine traffic, in the fishing and in the management of emergencies in the sea. The Protocol aims to improve the effectiveness of monitoring, control, research and prevention activities, raising the technical-scientific quality of joint actions and allowing a more efficient use of public resources, through the strengthening of observation activities of the state of the marine environment – from the quality of water to biodiversity, from waste at sea to the presence of alien species – along with specific monitoring activities on anthropogenic pressures such as waste, waste, dredging, mariculture.
A relevant chapter covers cooperation in environmental emergencies at sea, staff training and information sharing from networks and monitoring systems. Moreover, joint activities are planned in the Marine Protected Areas, in addition to collaborations in the context of the interventions of the PNRR for the ecological restoration, initiatives of environmental education and actions in support of the ecological transition of the ports.
The activities envisaged by the Protocol will be implemented through specific operational conventions, which will define work programmes, the use of means and staff, responsibility, timing and management of information. It is planned to set up a Joint Coordination Committee composed of representatives of the two Administrations, responsible for monitoring the implementation of the Agreement and to draw annually a report on the status of the activities.
“The protection of the marine environment is a mission that requires competence, operational presence and strong integration among the institutions” – said Admiral Sergio LIARDO, General Commander of the Coast Guard. “This Protocol renews and strengthens a partnership with ISPRA, with the aim of ensuring an ever more effective protection of our seas and coasts. A commitment we face every day with responsibility and a vision aimed at future generations.”.
“The signature of this Protocol is an important step to strengthen the path of collaboration between ISPRA and the Corps of the Harbour offices – Guard Costiera – said Prefect Stefano Laporta, President of the ISPRA -. The protection of the marine and coastal environment requires integrated skills, timely intervention skills and a shared vision of the challenges that await us. Thanks to this agreement we further strengthen the synergy between scientific research, environmental monitoring and operational activities on the territory, putting to system data, professionalism and technologies that will allow to prevent and contrast with greater effectiveness the pressures imposed on our seas. We are convinced that this collaboration will contribute not only to improving the quality of marine ecosystems, but also to promoting a culture of sustainability and shared responsibility. ISPRA will continue to put its scientific heritage at the service of the country, with the common goal of protecting a natural heritage that belongs to all.”.
The Protocol has a duration of three years, renewable after agreement between the Parties, and does not entail direct economic charges.
-Photo press office Guard Costiera-
(ITALPRESS).
