EGEMP European Group of Experts on satellite monitoring of sea ...

<strong>EGEMP</strong>
<strong>European</strong> <strong>Group</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Experts</strong> on satellite monitoring <strong>of</strong> sea-based oil Pollution
http://egemp.jrc.it
5th Meeting <strong>of</strong> <strong>EGEMP</strong>
Ispra, 4-5 April 2006
MINUTES
Opening <strong>of</strong> the Meeting
1. The meeting was opened by Mr G. Ferraro on behalf <strong>of</strong> JRC who welcomed all participants.
Mrs. H. Haapasaari (Deputy <strong>of</strong> <strong>EGEMP</strong>) also welcomed all participants on behalf <strong>of</strong> <strong>EGEMP</strong> and
introduced the agenda <strong>of</strong> the 2 days. Copy <strong>of</strong> the agenda is attached in annex 1.She announced that due
to last minute problems, the Chairman <strong>of</strong> <strong>EGEMP</strong> (T. Stone) was unable to attend and he sent his
apologies to all <strong>EGEMP</strong> members.
2. The following Delegations (list <strong>of</strong> participants see annex 2) were present:
- MS (BE, DK, FI, DE, LV, NL, PL, PT, SI, SP, SW);
- EEA Countries (NOR, ICE);
- Candidate Countries (Romania, Turkey).
<strong>European</strong> Union was represented by the JRC and EMSA.
Countries who were unable to attend confirmed their interest in following the activities <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Group</strong>.
Secretariats/Chairmen <strong>of</strong> the relevant Regional agreement were also present (REMPEC and Bonn
Agreement) or represented (HELCOM).
Agenda Item 1 - Adoption <strong>of</strong> the Agenda
3. The <strong>EGEMP</strong> Members adopted the Agenda.
Agenda Item 2 - Presentations <strong>of</strong> projects/activities at <strong>European</strong> scale
4. Mr. F. Pignatelli (JRC coordinator for GMES) gave an overview on "the future <strong>of</strong> GMES and the
role <strong>of</strong> the JRC". The presentation summarised the main objectives <strong>of</strong> this initiative, the various
components contributing to its implementation, including a brief description <strong>of</strong> the first 3 "fast-track

services" selected: (i) Land Monitoring <strong>of</strong> Europe, (ii) Marine Core Services, (iii) Rapid Mapping in
Support to Crisis Management.
5. For the Marine Core Services (MCS) the goal (by 2008) is to assess the Ocean State (physical ocean
& primary ecosystem state variables) and provide their interface with downstream services. MCS is
intended to be a backbone to downstream services (such as Marine Safety, Oil Spills, Marine
Resources, Climate Change, Coastal Management, etc.).
6. Next main steps for the GMES process are:
1. Consolidation <strong>of</strong> user requirements <strong>of</strong> the fast-track service through the various implementation
groups;
2. Further developments <strong>of</strong> pre-operational services through ESA projects (GSE) and EC
programmes (FP6);
3. Definition <strong>of</strong> the FP7 support, together with ESA’s programme on Space component, in line
with the <strong>European</strong> Space Policy;
4. Setting up a GMES Governance/Management Structure (on-going discussions at EC level and
with Member States);
5. Providing continuity <strong>of</strong> key EU space missions (national missions, Sentinel development
through ESA).
7. JRC will provide technical/scientific support to the GMES services - 4 types <strong>of</strong> situations can be
identified:
1. Full externalisation <strong>of</strong> services to operators financed for implementation;
2. Services kept inside the EC fulfilling internal policy/directives;
3. Services operated outside but products processed by JRC to be delivered to a User DG;
4. R&D in new services as requested by DGs.
8. Mr. G. Campbell (ESA) presented ESA initiatives <strong>of</strong> relevance to <strong>EGEMP</strong>. The ESA funded
MARCOAST project is <strong>of</strong> major importance to many members <strong>of</strong> <strong>EGEMP</strong>, and effective coordination
with <strong>EGEMP</strong> is critical to the success <strong>of</strong> MARCOAST. However, ESA is also undertaking a range <strong>of</strong>
additional activities where interaction with <strong>EGEMP</strong> members could be <strong>of</strong> mutual benefit. These are
primarily related to the implementation <strong>of</strong> the GMES space component, although activities related to
EO based information services are also included. These activities are:
Specification and development <strong>of</strong> the GMES space component – one element <strong>of</strong> this relates to
continuity <strong>of</strong> C-band SAR measurements – at present, a study is underway to design a system that
responds to user requirements and which will involve some degree <strong>of</strong> trade-<strong>of</strong>f. <strong>EGEMP</strong> review <strong>of</strong>
the trade-<strong>of</strong>f results will ensure that the mission continues to respond to the requirements <strong>of</strong> the oil
pollution response user community
GMES ground segment – parallel studies are on-going to define the GMES ground segment
architecture including performance levels for accessing Sentinel data as well as issues associated
with access to multiple missions (eg Cosmo-Skymed, Radarsat) through an integrated ground
segment. <strong>EGEMP</strong> review <strong>of</strong> the performance capabilities will ensure that their requirements are met
by these developments
GMES Service Segment – negotiations are about to start for a study that will define the architecture
for the GMES service portfolio and the required evolution over the next 10 years. In particular, the
detailed architecture for four services will be defined. This could include a detailed specification <strong>of</strong>

oil pollution information services at pan-<strong>European</strong> level if <strong>EGEMP</strong> members agree that this is <strong>of</strong>
value.
Certification <strong>of</strong> EO products and services – an activity led by DNV has just started with the
objective <strong>of</strong> improving the perceived credibility <strong>of</strong> EO based information products and services.
This will define and validate standards and quality control approaches for these information
services and road test their implementation. One <strong>of</strong> the road tests could focus on oil pollution
information services in coordination with on-going <strong>EGEMP</strong> efforts to propose standard working
practices related to the use <strong>of</strong> SAR imagery for oil pollution monitoring.
With respect to MARCOAST, ESA agree that both ESA and <strong>EGEMP</strong> should investigate how
MARCOAST user federation events and <strong>EGEMP</strong> meetings could be better coordinated. Finally,
ESA informed <strong>EGEMP</strong> that a parallel activity under the GMES Services Element, similar to
MARCOAST, was on-going and addressing polar issues. This project (PolarView) includes a workpackage
for the exchange <strong>of</strong> best-practice on oil pollution surveillance between Canadian and
<strong>European</strong> organisations. ESA requested <strong>EGEMP</strong> to take note <strong>of</strong> this activity and invited <strong>EGEMP</strong>
members to submit any requirements with respect to this work package to ESA to ensure the
maximum possible level <strong>of</strong> collaboration and cooperation between on-going activities.
9. ESA provided a summary <strong>of</strong> these activities and would like to understand from <strong>EGEMP</strong> members
whether they agree that a more detailed exchange is beneficial and if so, how such an exchange could
be set up over the next 6 months. ESA also emphasised the importance <strong>of</strong> an effective exchange with
<strong>EGEMP</strong> members, citing the statement on continuity <strong>of</strong> satellite measurements issued by <strong>EGEMP</strong> at
their October 2005 meeting and its beneficial impact on the outcome <strong>of</strong> the ESA ministerial council
meeting with respect to the funding levels for the GMES space component.
10. Mr. JP. Pedersen (KSAT) introduced the Marcoast project. The oil spill detection service is one <strong>of</strong>
the Marcoast service elements. There are already operational customers, in particular in Northern
Europe that are purchasing the satellite based service, but the service is yet not fully sustainable. A
service infrastructure has been established, covering all elements from data acquisition until
information distribution via a web-server. Radarsat-1 and Envisat are the satellites applied.
11. The activities during the first year <strong>of</strong> Marcoast will include service (network) establishment and
deliveries to identified core users:
• KSAT will be responsible for providing service to the North Sea user group UK, Netherlands,
Germany, Belgium, extended with additional Bonn agreement countries Denmark and Norway (TBC).
• Telespazio will be responsible <strong>of</strong> providing the service in the Aegean Sea to the user Hellenic
Ministry <strong>of</strong> Mercantile Marine – Marine Environment Protection Division. The Spanish user
SASEMAR and CEDRE in France will be served by involving national providers/distributors such as
Starlab/GTD and Boost/CLS.
12. The oil spill detection service deliveries will include NRT provision <strong>of</strong> oil spill information,
including:
• time,
• location,
• extent,
• orientation,
• confidence level (H, M, L),
• source (if present),
• met-ocean information (wind).

13. An extension activity is now being presented to ESA. These extensions will be closely linked to the
baseline activities listed above, and will focus on the Baltic and the UK Channel area, and extending
the Mediterranean activities. The future challenges towards a sustainable service are on the
programmatic side, rather than on the technical. Organising the users and their requirements through a
multi-user model, as well as expanding the number <strong>of</strong> users, towards securing a long term-user
financial commitment after the ESA GSE project has finalised will be important.
14. Mr. M. Gade (University <strong>of</strong> Hamburg) presented a study on chemical differences <strong>of</strong> oil spills and
sea slicks, and on their remote sensing. In his talk he pointed out that sea slicks, that are usually
produced by plankton and fish, exhibit monomolecular surface films (i.e., films with thicknesses <strong>of</strong> just
one molecule, typically 2-3 nanometres), whereas the thickness <strong>of</strong> mineral oil spills is several orders <strong>of</strong>
magnitude larger (micrometers to millimetres, or even centimetres). Though both kinds <strong>of</strong> surface films
strongly dampen short water waves, the damping mechanisms are completely different. He further
summarised results <strong>of</strong> experiments dedicated to the use <strong>of</strong> multi-frequency radar techniques for the
discrimination <strong>of</strong> sea slicks and oil spills through their specific reduction <strong>of</strong> the radar backscattering. At
low to moderate wind speeds, discrimination seems to be possible, whereas at high wind speeds (above
10 m/s), discrimination is impossible. He finally introduced the "normalized oils spill visibility" as a
quantitative measure <strong>of</strong> the detectability <strong>of</strong> marine oil pollution on (ERS) SAR imagery as a function <strong>of</strong>
wind speed. The presentation was followed by a long and fruitful discussion in which most <strong>of</strong> the
attendees participated.
15. Mr. I. Shepherd (JRC) introduced the new EU Green Paper on Maritime Policy. Mr.Shepherd, who
sits on the Commission's inter-service working group for maritime policy, outlined recent
developments. Up to now there has been no EU maritime policy. The Common Fisheries Policy, the
proposed marine strategy, the maritime safety package, the Leadership 2015 (on shipbuilding) have
been developed separately and implemented separately by the responsible ministries - fisheries,
environment, transport, industry etc. .However, it is obvious that each sector influences all the others -
trawling might have an impact on measures to protect seabed habitats, rules on double-hulled tankers
might increase the demand for new ship construction, global climate change might favour shipping
routes through the Arctic. Recognising this interdependence the Commission is in the process <strong>of</strong>
developing an overarching Maritime Policy. A Green Paper, outlining ideas for moving forward is
scheduled for release in May 2006.
16. As far as oils-spills are concerned the main points <strong>of</strong> interest are (1) a summary <strong>of</strong> Commission
initiatives taken already to reduce the threat from oil spills including the creation <strong>of</strong> the <strong>European</strong>
Maritime Safety Agency (2) a suggestion that Community action is needed to foster the collection <strong>of</strong>
marine data so as to monitor long-term trends and (3) the question <strong>of</strong> greater cooperation between
coastal states for greater coherence, cost efficiency and coordination <strong>of</strong> coastguard activities. Following
the release <strong>of</strong> the Green Paper there will be a one-year consultation period followed by a
Communication from the Commission in 2007 proposing a way forward.
Agenda Item 3 - Progress <strong>of</strong> the activities <strong>of</strong> the group
Delegations were invited to inform the <strong>Group</strong> <strong>of</strong> the progress achieved on the different activities.
17. Activities <strong>of</strong> the Chairman-Deputy-Secretary since the last meeting (e.g. conferences, web-

site,…).
The Chairman reported that he presented <strong>EGEMP</strong> and its activities at the following meetings:
- EMSA Workshop on Satellite monitoring over <strong>European</strong> waters (7-8 February in Brussels),
The Chairman reported to EMSA that <strong>EGEMP</strong> is available to support EMSA to ensure the best
technical solution;
- Interspill 2006 (21-23 March 2006 in London),
<strong>EGEMP</strong> chair co-organised and attended Interspill. Through contacts with many participants, he was
aware that the work <strong>of</strong> <strong>EGEMP</strong> is spreading;
- 1st MarCoast User Workshop (27-28 March 2006, in Koblenz),
At the Marcoast meeting, three <strong>EGEMP</strong> members were appointed as members <strong>of</strong> the Executive End
User <strong>Group</strong> <strong>of</strong> Marcoast, one <strong>of</strong> them -the <strong>EGEMP</strong> Chairman - was appointed as chairman.
18. “Satellite surveillance guidelines”.
JRC presented a revised version <strong>of</strong> the “Satellite Surveillance Guidelines”.
This guidelines presents in a coherent and harmonized way, useful information, mainly via other links,
related to satellite monitoring <strong>of</strong> sea-based oil pollution.
The main chapters <strong>of</strong> the Guidelines are:
1. Introduction
2. Characteristics <strong>of</strong> oil pollution from sea-based sources
3. From sampling to remote sensing tools to detect and identify oil
4. Satellite characteristics
5. How can we detect oil spills in SAR images?
6. How can we identify oil spills in SAR images?
7. How reliable is the identification <strong>of</strong> oil spills in SAR images?
8. How to analyse SAR images
9. Operational Use <strong>of</strong> SAR images
19. The French delegation has sent, before the meeting, a contribution entitled “Satellite surveillance:
use and analyse <strong>of</strong> SAR images for oil spill detection”; all suggestions and remarks are welcome to
improve this contribution.
20. Slovenia presented its view on a chapter concerning the use <strong>of</strong> the Automatic Identification System
(AIS). Moreover, the Slovenian delegate presented draft material on the use <strong>of</strong> the Automatic
Identification System in identifying ships that discharge oil. The basic concept <strong>of</strong> AIS operation--its
advantages and disadvantage--was discussed. The presentation focused particularly on using AIS data
for identifying older oil slicks, which is possible with the integration <strong>of</strong> AIS archive with weather
history and oil spill modeling s<strong>of</strong>tware operated in hindcast mode. One case was illustrated from the
AESOP project in which AIS ship identification was applied when a ship polluted outside AIS range.
21. Finland presented the very first draft <strong>of</strong> a chapter on the use <strong>of</strong> optical images. The main problem <strong>of</strong>
the use <strong>of</strong> optical satellites for oil spill monitoring is the requirement to have cloud free sky. Also many
<strong>of</strong> the optical satellites have poor ground resolution. Optical satellites might be useful in mapping oil
among ice or even the amount <strong>of</strong> polluted shoreline. They can provide also useful information on the
algae bloom situation and thus give potential to minimize the amount <strong>of</strong> false positives. Finland will
look more in to the characteristics <strong>of</strong> the optical satellites and update the document. Contributions from
other <strong>EGEMP</strong> members are highly appreciated.
22. Belgium submitted a draft <strong>of</strong> a questionnaire to prepare a chapter on national experiences. This

questionnaire was discussed at <strong>EGEMP</strong> and Belgium will implement the recommendations made. A
final draft questionnaire will be send to the <strong>EGEMP</strong> secretariat for distribution and completion by
<strong>EGEMP</strong> members.
23. As a possible way forward it was agreed to keep as separated documents the “Satellite surveillance
guidelines” and the specific chapters. The philosophy behind these documents is in fact different. The
guidelines remain mainly a tool to start a research on a specific topic. On the other side the specific
chapters aims to present in a short but detailed way the state <strong>of</strong> the art on a specific issue.
Agenda Item 4 - Presentations <strong>of</strong> new relevant activities
Each Delegation was invited to present recent relevant activities on the monitoring <strong>of</strong> sea based oil
pollution, with emphasis on the use <strong>of</strong> satellite imagery.
24. JRC presented 2 studies on the long term monitoring using satellite imagery <strong>of</strong> waters <strong>of</strong> French
and Italian interest in the Mediterranean Sea. The first study entitled "Satellite monitoring <strong>of</strong> illicit
discharges from vessels in the French environmental protection zone (ZPE)" focuses on the impact <strong>of</strong>
the creation <strong>of</strong> the French ZPE on the pollution over the years. Applied statistics and calculations using
the oil spill database <strong>of</strong> the JRC seem to prove that the creation <strong>of</strong> the ZPE has had a positive impact on
the decrease <strong>of</strong> pollution in the zone while a small increase is observed in the zone around the ZPE. In
comparison, the JRC's subsequent study and report entitled "Satellite monitoring <strong>of</strong> illicit discharges
from vessels in the seas around Italy" shows that the creation <strong>of</strong> a similar ZPE in Croatia (ZPEP) has
had no impact on pollution levels probably due to the lack <strong>of</strong> surveillance implementation.
25. Finland presented a SAR satellite data processing and distribution system. Finland has finalized a
national project in which a capability to process the Radarsat-1 images in SYKE was developed. The
product called "BORIS" includes automatic processing <strong>of</strong> the raw SAR image, algorithm to detect
possible oil spills and a web based s<strong>of</strong>tware to deliver the SAR image together with GIS layers on
sensitive areas, response resources and possible hazards. Also drifting calculation model can be started
and results presented by the BORIS. The automatically calculated "uncertainty fields" presented by
Finland in 3rd <strong>EGEMP</strong> meeting are also included in the system.
26. Norway presented their AIS project with integration on AIS data in near real-time for satellite
images. KSAT as The Norwegian Coastal Administrations provider <strong>of</strong> a satellite service, request all
AIS data including historical data for backtracking within each picture. The service is up and running,
but there are still some issues to address regarding problems with data access and security. The service
is integrated in all KSAT presenting tools.
27. Romania presented its experience in the field <strong>of</strong> mathematical models to predict oil spill drifting. In
particular, it was exposed the present stage <strong>of</strong> implementation and the utility <strong>of</strong> the free NOAA
(National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)-Hazmat product GNOME (General NOAA Oil
Modeling Environment) (CATS ‘Current Analysis for Trajectory Simulations’ + GNOME +
GnomeAnalyst). The Romanian National Institute for Marine Research and Development continuously
adapted (from 2001) the coast description to a better resolution to possibly assess even minor oil spills
and conceived a weather scenarios database to better responses. Analysis <strong>of</strong> two incidents and
scenarios based on them were described, including assessed animated trajectories for different weather
data available.

28. Sweden presented a satellite project SWEPOL between Swedish Coast Guard and Maritime Office
in Gdynia and Kongsberg Satellite Station, KSAT for extended oil pollution surveillance over the water
between Sweden and Poland in Southeast part <strong>of</strong> the Baltic Sea. The project was supported by ESA as
a marketing development project. The project time was May-October 2005 and total amount <strong>of</strong> scenes
was 20 (Envisat-pictures). The project has work out very well; the technical mechanism reliability
together with the analysis gave an important picture over the current conditions for this area. The
occurrence <strong>of</strong> high frequent <strong>of</strong> sea traffic made this area interesting to survey. The co-operation
between the two organisations and KSAT executed without problem. Swedish Coast Guard and
Maritime Office in Gdynia have by this project enlarged the co-operation in aerial- and satellite
surveillance between these two countries.
Agenda Item 5 - Programs and activities <strong>of</strong> EU and International Organizations
29. EMSA introduced its strategy concerning the establishment <strong>of</strong> a pan-<strong>European</strong> operational system
for satellite surveillance <strong>of</strong> oil slicks. Mr. Willman, on behalf <strong>of</strong> EMSA, began informing the meeting
that the presentations from the latest workshop between EMSA and Member States (7-8 February in
Brussels) are available on EMSA web site. Mr. Willman explained that in his position as a Seconded
National Expert in EMSA he was not able to answer or comment on questions or statements from the
meeting regarding policy directions. He will note these questions and statements and forward them to
EMSA. He gave information on the schedule for establishment <strong>of</strong> the satellite service to the Member
States and the ongoing work <strong>of</strong> the tender specification. The project time schedule says that the tender
will be sent to the Official Journal <strong>of</strong> the <strong>European</strong> Union in mid <strong>of</strong> April, and published at the end <strong>of</strong>
April. The service should be available to Member States in March 2007.
30. Mr. Willman responded to a number <strong>of</strong> questions relating to operational and technical issues
concerning the future EMSA service. The oil spill monitoring service area will be the EU, EEA and EU
candidate countries' sea areas. EMSA will visit Member States in autumn to get the user requirements
etc. before the service implementation phase which will start in January 2007. EMSA's tender includes
also requirement for end user training. EMSA's budget for the satellite monitoring is 6 milllion € for 3
years. Mr. Willman pointed out that EMSA's requirement for the service provided via EMSA is that it
has to be operational, with Near Real Time delivery <strong>of</strong> image and oil spill detection service.
31. <strong>EGEMP</strong> reminded, that at the last meeting it was agreed that EMSA would consult <strong>EGEMP</strong> when
defining the user requirements and service portfolio, but this consultation did not take place. Meeting
proposed that when EMSA is meeting the regional agreements, the EMSA would invite also the
chairman <strong>of</strong> <strong>EGEMP</strong>. The Chair recommended EMSA to work closely with <strong>EGEMP</strong>, which is now a
well established <strong>European</strong> group <strong>of</strong> national experts on oil spill monitoring.
Agenda Item 6 – Future <strong>of</strong> <strong>EGEMP</strong>
32. The meeting talked about the future <strong>of</strong> <strong>EGEMP</strong>, as the current financing will end after next
meeting. The general opinion was, that group is valuable to the members and helps to build up
knowledge on oil spill satellite surveillance related issues. The meeting asked the Secretariat to contact
ESA, MARCOAST and EMSA in order to secure the future financing <strong>of</strong> the <strong>EGEMP</strong>.

Agenda Item 7 - Any other business and future meeting arrangements
33. All members who will give presentation in the next meeting were asked to send the presentation to
secretariat at least two weeks before the meeting to give everyone a possibility to familiarize with the
papers. Secretariat will upload the presentations to <strong>EGEMP</strong> web page. In order to keep the schedule,
the members who wish to make presentation in the next meeting are also invited to inform the
secretariat two weeks prior the meeting. The items to be discussed will include the guidelines, EMSA's
service, national experiences questionnaire and MARCOAST project.
34. The 6 th <strong>EGEMP</strong> has been tentatively scheduled for October 2006, in Ispra.
Agenda Item 8 – Final round table discussion
35. Several members stated that the satellite surveillance guidelines are important, and the group needs
to develop them further. The Chair asked all <strong>EGEMP</strong> members to send the additional links to
secretariat, to be included in the existing list. Also the chapters written by members need comments.
Volunteers to write new chapters would be highly appreciated.
Minutes prepared by:
H. Haapasaari (Deputy)
G. Ferraro (Secretary)
Approved by:
T. Stone (Chairman)

Annex 1
<strong>EGEMP</strong>
<strong>European</strong> <strong>Group</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Experts</strong> on satellite
Monitoring and assessment <strong>of</strong> sea-based oil Pollution
5th Meeting
Ispra, 4-5 April 2006
Draft Agenda and Annotations
04.04.2006 14:00-18:00 Members <strong>of</strong> <strong>EGEMP</strong> and invited persons
Agenda Item 1 - Adoption <strong>of</strong> the Agenda
The <strong>Group</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Experts</strong> will be invited to adopt the Agenda for the meeting.
Agenda Item 2 - Presentations <strong>of</strong> projects/activities at <strong>European</strong> scale
Future <strong>of</strong> GMES (F. Pignatelli, JRC)
ESA initiatives <strong>of</strong> relevance to <strong>EGEMP</strong> (G. Campbell, ESA)
MARCOAST (JP. Pedersen, KSAT)
C<strong>of</strong>fee Break (16:00 - 16:30)
Chemical differences <strong>of</strong> oil spills and sea slicks, and on their remote sensing
(M. Gade, University <strong>of</strong> Hamburg)
Introduction to the new EU Green Paper on Maritime Policy
(I. Shepherd, JRC)
Dinner is foreseen at 20:00
05.04.2006 09:00-17:00 Members <strong>of</strong> <strong>EGEMP</strong> only

Agenda Item 3 - Progress <strong>of</strong> the activities <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Group</strong> (9:00 - 10:30)
Delegations are invited to inform the <strong>Group</strong> <strong>of</strong> progress on each point.
1. Activities <strong>of</strong> the Chairman-Deputy-Secretariat since the last meeting (e.g. conferences, web-site,
...) (Chairman-Deputy-Secretariat);
Updating <strong>of</strong> the <strong>EGEMP</strong> website: http://egemp.jrc.it (JRC)
2. “Satellite surveillance guidelines”
JRC will present an updated version.
The main chapters <strong>of</strong> the Guidelines are:
1. Introduction
2. Characteristics <strong>of</strong> oil pollution from sea-based sources
3. From sampling to remote sensing tools to detect and identify oil
4. Satellite characteristics
5. How can we detect oil spills in SAR images?
6. How can we identify oil spills in SAR images?
7. How reliable is the identification <strong>of</strong> oil spills in SAR images?
8. How to analyse SAR images
9. Operational Use <strong>of</strong> SAR images
10. National experiences on satellite based oil pollution surveillance
The French delegation will present a first draft <strong>of</strong> the chapters 5 to 8.
The Finnish delegation will present a first draft on the use <strong>of</strong> optical images (chapters 3 and 4).
The Slovenian delegation will present a first draft on the use <strong>of</strong> AIS data (chapter 9).
The Belgian delegation (supported by Danish delegation) will present a draft for a standard
format to be used in chapter 10.
3. Standardised and harmonized data exchange and reporting mechanism (analysis <strong>of</strong> existing
projects and services) (Germany);
4. Assessment <strong>of</strong> new technologies to improve the oil spill monitoring capabilities:
use <strong>of</strong> optical images (Finland);
use <strong>of</strong> multispectral images (Italy);
full use <strong>of</strong> data on SAR images (France);
new emerging technologies (all);
5. Access and consolidate the existing satellite surveillance activities (on any platform) in MS +
EEA countries to help to consolidate these activities in the future (JRC);
6. Consolidate the <strong>EGEMP</strong> aims, objectives and visions (all).
Other topics:
- High Altitude Platforms (HAP).
- Certification <strong>of</strong> the satellite image interpreters (<strong>of</strong>ten called “operators”)
- Common understanding on confidence level.
C<strong>of</strong>fee Break (10:30-11:00)

Agenda Item 4 – Presentations <strong>of</strong> new relevant activities (11:00-12:30)
Each Delegation is invited to present recent relevant activities on the monitoring <strong>of</strong> sea based oil
pollution, if possible, with emphasis on the use <strong>of</strong> satellite imagery (all).
1. JRC will present:
- a report compiled for the French authorities concerning oil pollution in the French Environmental
Protection Zone in the Mediterranean Sea;
- a report compiled for the Italian authorities concerning oil pollution in the Italian Search and Rescue
Area.
2. National experiences/activities - Presentations from:
- Sweden and Poland: (SWEPOL) Co-operation in using satellite images;
- Finland: a SAR satellite data processing and distribution system;
- Norway: AIS integration.
…………
Lunch (12:30-14:00)
Agenda Item 5 – Programs and activities <strong>of</strong> EU and International Organizations
(14:00-15:00)
- Presentation <strong>of</strong> EMSA concerning activities related to monitoring <strong>of</strong> sea-based pollution
C<strong>of</strong>fee Break (15:00-15:30)
Agenda Item 6 – Future <strong>of</strong> <strong>EGEMP</strong> (15:30-16:30)
Delegations are invited to express their opinion concerning the future <strong>of</strong> <strong>EGEMP</strong>.
Agenda Item 7 - Any other business and future meeting arrangements (16:30-16:45)
Delegations may raise any other items <strong>of</strong> interest to the <strong>Group</strong> under this point <strong>of</strong> the agenda.
Moreover the <strong>Group</strong> will be invited to decide the date and programme for the next meeting.
Agenda Item 8 – Final round table discussion (16:45-17:00)

Annex 2
List <strong>of</strong> participants
1. <strong>EGEMP</strong> Members
1.1 Chairman and Secretary
1.2 Members States
1.3 EEA Countries
1.4 Candidate Countries
2. <strong>EGEMP</strong> Observers
3. Invited speakers
1. <strong>EGEMP</strong> Members
1.1 Chairman and Secretary
Deputy (acting Chairwoman) - Finland
Heli HAAPASAARI
Finnish Environment Institute
P.O. Box 140
FIN – 00251 Helsinki (Finland)
tel:+358-40-5225807 - fax: +358-940-300478
email: heli.haapasaari@environment.fi
Secretary
Guido FERRARO
<strong>European</strong> Commission
Joint Research Centre
21020 Ispra, Italy
Tel: +39 0332 789488 - Fax: +39 0332 785469
email: guido.ferraro@jrc.it
Belgium
1.2 Members States
Machteld PRICE
MUMM, Management Unit <strong>of</strong> the North Sea Mathematical Models
100 Gulledelle
B – 1200 Bruxelles (Belgium)
tel:+32-2-7732147 - fax: +32-2-7732112
email: m.price @mumm.ac.be
Denmark
Jack JOERGENSEN
Admiral Danish Fleet
P.O. Box 483
DK – 8100 Aarhus C (Denmark)
tel:+45-8943-3384 - fax: +45-8943-3388
email: pol.con.den@sok.dk
Germany
Lars TUFTE
Federal Institute <strong>of</strong> Hydrology
Am Mainzer Tor 1

56068 Koblenz (Germany)
tel:+49-261-13065413- fax: +49-261-13065681
Netherlands
Michiel VISSER
North Sea Agency
NL – 2280 HV Rijswijk (The Netherlands)
tel:+31-70-3366600 - fax:
email: m.visser@dnz.rws.minvenw.nl
Poland
Tomasz CEPINSKI
Polish Maritime Administration Maritime Office Slupsk
Sienkiewicza 18 street
76 200 Slupsk (Poland)
email: tcepinski@umsl.gov.pl
Portugal
Carlos SOARES
Portuguese Navy – Hydrographic Institute
Rua das Trinas, 49
P – 1249-093 Lisboa (Portugal)
tel:+351-210-943030 - fax: +351-210-943299
email: ventura.soares@hidrografico.pt
Slovenia
Marko PERKOVIC
Univ. Ljubljana – Fac. Maritime Studies and Transp.
Pot Pomorscakov, 4
6320 Portoroz (Slovenia)
tel:+386-41-344569 - fax: +386-5-6748091
email: marko.perkovic@fpp.uni-lj.si
Spain
Alfonso RUIZ de LOBERA
SASEMAR
Fruela 3
28011 Madrid
email: lcc@sasemar.es
Sweden
Lars-Erik SVARD
Swedish Coastguard
P.O. Box 536
S – 37123 Karlskrona (Sweden)
Tel: +46-455-353552 – fax: +46-455-10521
Email : lars-erik.svard@coasguard.se
<strong>European</strong> Union
JRC
IPSC G06: Dario TARCHI, Serge MEYER-ROUX, Kostas TOPOUZELIS,
IPSC G03: Harm GREIDANUS, Iain SHEPHERD,
IES: Francesco PIGNATELLI

<strong>European</strong> Commission
Joint Research Centre
21020 Ispra, Italy
Tel: +39 0332 785143 - Fax: +39 0332 785469
email: dario.tarchi@jrc.it
EMSA
Ronnie WILLMAN
<strong>European</strong> maritime Safety Agency (EMSA)
Rue de Genève, 12
B – 1049 Bruxelles (Belgium)
tel:+32-2-7020296 - fax: +32-2-7020218
email: ronnie.wilmann@emsa.eu.int
1.3 EEA Countries
Norway
Ove NJOTEN
Norwegian Coastal Administration
Nostegaten, 30
N – 5010 Bergen (Norway)
tel:+47-55-302410 - fax: +47-55-302401
email: ove.njoten@kystverket.no
Iceland
Kristjan GEIRSSON
Environment and Food Agency <strong>of</strong> Iceland
Sudurlandsbraut, 24
107 Reykjavik (Iceland)
tel:+354-591-2000- fax: +354-591-2020
email: kristjan@ust.is
1.4 Candidate Countries
Romania
Teodor-Mihai CRISTESCU
National Institute for Marine Research and Development
Romania
email: cris@alpha.rmri.ro
Turkey
Filiz Sunar ERBEK
ITU – CSCRS (www.cscrs.itu.edu.tr)
Maslak Campus – Istanbul Technical University
34469 Istanbul (Turkey)
tel:+90-212-2856813 - fax: +90-212-2857167
email: fsunar@cscrs.itu.edu.tr
2. <strong>EGEMP</strong> Observers
REMPEC (Regional Marine Pollution Emergency Response Centre for the Mediterranean Sea)
Pascale BOUVERET

REMPEC
Manoel Island
Gzira GZR 03 (Malta)
tel:+356-21-337296 - fax: +356-21-339951
email: p.bouveret@rempec.org
BONN AGREEMENT
Amparo AGRAIT
Bonn Agreement Secretariat
New Court, 48 Carey Street
LondonWC2A 2JQ
Email: secretariat@bonn.agreement.org
HELSINKI Commission
Represented by Heli HAAPASAARI (Finland)
3. Invited speakers
<strong>European</strong> Space Agency
Gordon CAMPBELL
ESA
Via G. Galilei
00044 Frascati (Roma)
Tel: +06-94180406 - fax: +06-94180552
email: gordon.campbell@esa.int
MARCOAST
Jan-Petter PEDERSEN
Kongsberg Satellite Services (KSAT)
Prestvannveien, 38
N – 9291 Tromso (Norway)
email: line@ksat.no
University <strong>of</strong> Hamburg
Martin GADE
Zentrum fuer Meeres- und Klimaforschung - Institut fuer Meereskunde
Bundesstraße 53, D-20146
Hamburg, Germany
Email: gade@ifm.uni-hamburg.de