Spill Notification Point

Competent National Authority

Response Arrangements

The Fiji Marine Department is the designated authority for coordinating marine pollution response actions, including arranging technical, logistical and financial support. The Fiji National Oil Pollution Contingency Plan of 1992 stipulates the responsibilities for oil spill response. Within port or harbour limits the administrative authority for the affected area would assume the lead, whilst on beaches and foreshores this role would fall to the Ministry of Infrastructure, Public Works and Maritime. In territorial waters and the EEZ the Marine Department is responsible, and has also a coordinating function, in any significant marine pollution incident. Representatives of these and other support organisations, including the oil industry (Shell, Mobil, BP), have formed the National Oil Pollution Committee with the aim of reviewing contingency plans, encouraging training and exercise procedures and promoting awareness of the scope for oil spill response.

Local response plans are being developed for dealing with small pollution incidents. A Ministry of Environment, created after a recent election, does not yet have defined responsibilities but is likely to play a significant role in future pollution incidents.

Pollution Incident Control Centres can be established at Suva Fire Brigade, Fiji Marine Department and Fiji Ports Authority.  In addition, police and military authorities may provide assistance with staff and communications facilities.

Fiji is a member of the South Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) and party to the SPREP Protocol Concerning Cooperation in Combating Pollution Emergencies in the South Pacific, which provides the legal framework through which marine spill contingency planning is addressed.  SPREP has prepared PACPOL, the Pacific Ocean Pollution Prevention Programme, which has drafted the Pacific Islands Regional Marine Spill Contingency Plan (PACPLAN).  This was endorsed by Members in September 2000 as the regional framework through which the SPREP Pollution Emergencies Protocol would be operationalised.  PACPLAN only applies to spills where regional cooperation and/or supraregional assistance are required.  It does not cover Tier One and Tier Two spills. 

Response Policy

It is recognised that in a major incident it would not be possible to protect or clean all areas affected. Priority should be given to the protection of the most sensitive areas, where feasible. 

Dispersants are acknowledged as a spill response tool in certain circumstances. Water exchange and depth in the area of application must be adequate. 

The capacity for oily waste disposal in Fiji is limited and emphasis is laid on identifying or preparing suitable temporary storage sites for use until such time as an authorised final disposal site can be found. In the National Oil Pollution Contingency Plan, the depots of the Public Works Department (PWD) are identified as possible initial storage sites.

Equipment

Government

The Fiji Marine Department has no specialised response resources. The Ports Authority operates a tug which could be adapted for spraying duties.

In order to assist each Pacific Island country and territory to establish the optimum equipment inventory for its situation, PACPOL is carrying out a review of marine spill combat needs in 2003 with funding from the International Maritime Organization and Canada.  Once the review is completed, the project will seek to secure sources of support to procure the necessary equipment, plus provide training in its use and long-term maintenance.

Private

The Oil companies jointly own oil spill response equipment which is stored and maintained at the Shell Fiji Ltd depot in Walu Bay.

Helicopters and light aircraft for surveillance are available from Pacific Crown Aviation Fiji Ltd at Nadi Airport

Previous Spill Experience

There have been no major spills in Fijian waters.

Compensation

* not yet in force 

Regional & Bilateral Agreements

• Noumea Convention (with states of the South Pacific Region).

Date of issue: January 2003