해양오염 대비 및 대응을 위한 지역협력활동 및 향후 발전 방향

Abstract

In the sea area of the far-eastern Asian countries, Northwest Pacific region, 243 oil spills and 45 Hazardous and Noxious Substances (HNS) spills over 10 tons have occurred in the region from 1990-2008. One major oil spill was the Hebei Spirit incident which occurred off Taean coastal area of Republic of Korea on 7 December 2007. Hebei Spirit lost about 12,547kl of crude oil, and resulted in enormous marine environmental and economical damage. Consequently, the NOWPAP Regional Oil Spill Contingency Plan was activated on 10 December 2007 and deactivated on 14 January 2008. While assisting the Korean Government to facilitate the response of the spill, MERRAC took the responsibility as the secretariat of the Plan and serve as the operational link between the NOWPAP member states. China and Japan provided absorbents to Korea within the framework of the Plan. MERRAC also assisted experts from UN/EC who visited the oil spill area to provide technical support.