Understanding trade pathways to target biosecurity surveillance

Increasing trends in global trade make it extremely difficult to prevent the entry of all potential invasive species (IS). Establishing early detection strategies thus becomes an important part of the continuum used to reduce the introduction of invasive species. One part necessary to ensure the success of these strategies is the determination of priority survey areas based on invasion pressure. We used a pathway-centred conceptual model of pest invasion to address these questions: what role does global trade play in invasion pressure of plant ecosystems and how could an understanding of this role be used to enhance early detection strategies? We concluded that the relative level of invasion pressure for destination ecosystems can be influenced by the intensity of pathway usage (import volume and frequency), the number and type of pathways with a similar destination, and the number of different ecological regions that serve as the source for imports to the same destination. As these factors increase, pressure typically intensifies because of increasing a) propagule pressure, b) likelihood of transporting pests with higher intrinsic invasion potential, and c) likelihood of transporting pests into ecosystems with higher invasibility. We used maritime containerized imports of live plants into the contiguous U.S. as a case study to illustrate the practical implications of the model to determine hotspot areas of relative invasion pressure for agricultural and forest ecosystems (two ecosystems with high potential invasibility). Our results illustrated the importance of how a pathway-centred model could be used to highlight potential target areas for early detection strategies for IS. Many of the hotspots in agricultural and forest ecosystems were within major U.S. metropolitan areas. Invasion ecologists can utilize pathway-centred conceptual models to a) better understand the role of human-mediated pathways in pest establishment, b) enhance current methodologies for IS risk analysis, and c) develop strategies for IS early detection-rapid response programs

Research Opportunities in Contextualized Fusion Systems. The Harbor Surveillance Case

Proceedings of: International Workshop of Intelligent Systems for Context-Based Information Fusion (ISCIF 2011) associated to 11th International Work-Conference on Artificial Neural Networks, IWANN, Torremolinos-Málaga, Spain, June 8-10, 2011.The design of modern Information Fusion (IF) systems involves a complex process to achieve the requirements in the selected applications, especially in domains with a high degree of customization. In general, an advanced fusion system is required to show robust, context-sensitive behavior and efficient performance in real time. It is necessary to exploit all potentially relevant sensor and contextual information in the most appropriate way. Among modern applications for IF technology is the case of surveillance of complex harbor environments that are comprised of large numbers of surface vessels, high-value and dangerous facilities, and many people. The particular conditions and open needs in the harbor scenario are reviewed in this paper, highlighting research opportunities to explore in the development of fusion systems in this area.This work was supported in part by Projects CICYT TIN2008-06742-C02-02/TSI, CICYT TEC2008-06732-C02-02/TEC and CAM CONTEXTS S2009/TIC-1485.Publicad

A study for upgrading the vessel traffic services [VTS] in Korean coastal waters

The rapid growth of niarine traffic volume in the Korean waters has created difficulties in navigation, and increased the risk in those areas during the last three decades. In addition to the traffic volume increase, ship’s higher speed tendency and larger size tendency lead to more frequent and bigger casualties occurring in those areas. Various measures have been taken to improve navigation safety in those areas such as, aids to navigation, vessel movement reporting systems, traffic separation schemes, and the radar surveillance systems in some port areas also. However, casualties occurred in those areas has not decreased. They are still increasing. If there is no adequate device provided, those tendencies regarding the casualties are expected to be increased more in the future. ; For the purpose of developing safe navigation and preventing traffic accidents in Korean coastal areas, it is needed to examine maritime environment and to analyze the casualties occurred in those arenas, in order to identify the issues and problems existing in those areas. This study used many statistical data in examining the maritime environment, analyze marine casualties, and evaluate existing traffic services in Korean coastal areas. Meanwhile, research has been carried out on the VTS concept, equipment, its future trends, and also case studies carried out on VTS status and its effectiveness has taken place in foreign countries. Finally, on the basis of the findings in this study, it is suggested to maintain adequate VTS in Korean coastal areas to prevent accidents and to help safe navigation. The conclusions include recommendations to extend the advanced VTS system to major ports in Korea and consolidate the VTS authority to extend their services to fully operational VTS functions

ANALYSIS CUSTOMS MARITIME SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM BASED ON MOVEMENT PHENOMENON AND CHARACTERISTIC OF NARCOTICS, PRECURSORS AND PSYCHOTROPICS (NPP) SMUGGLINGS

ABSTRACT: The objective of this paper is to analyses how to reduce smuggling illegal goods amid the high flow of Indonesian sea traffic, analyze effective sea action measures through observing the phenomenon of NPP smuggling movements, and analyze the design of supporting facilities and human resources that can carry out the functions of ocean surveillance effectively. The type of this research is applied research with the analysis unit is Customs Maritime Surveillance System. The method of analysis used is Stufflebeam CIPP Evaluation Model. Source of data come from document studies of Directorate General Customs and Excise which written by people who have directly experienced an event or written based on reports/stories from other people in the period of 2015-2018. From the results of the research conducted obtained that generally customs surveillance system still needs revitalization related to field operation institution, infrastructure, tools, human resources, information system, budgeting, and operational planning.Keywords: Custom Maritime Surveillance System, Prohibited Drugs Smuggling ABSTRAK:Tujuan dari makalah ini adalah untuk menganalisis bagaimana mengurangi penyelundupan barang ilegal di tengah tingginya arus lalu lintas laut Indonesia, menganalisis tindakan pengawasan laut yang efektif dengan mengamati fenomena gerakan penyelundupan NPP, dan menganalisis desain fasilitas pendukung dan sumber daya manusia yang dapat membawa fungsi pengawasan laut yang efektif. Jenis penelitian ini adalah penelitian terapan dengan unit analisis adalah Sistem Pengawasan Maritim Bea Cukai. Metode analisis yang digunakan adalah Model Evaluasi CIPP Stufflebeam. Sumber data berasal dari studi dokumen Direktorat Jenderal Bea dan Cukai yang ditulis oleh orang-orang yang secara langsung mengalami suatu peristiwa atau yang ditulis berdasarkan laporan/cerita dari orang lain pada periode 2015-2018. Dari hasil penelitian yang dilakukan diperoleh bahwa secara umum sistem pengawasan pabean masih memerlukan revitalisasi terkait dengan unit pelaksana operasi lapangan, infrastruktur, fasilitas dan peralatan pengawasan laut, sumber daya manusia pendukung, sistem informasi dan komunikasi, penganggaran, dan perencanaan operasionalKata kunci: Sistem Pengawasan Maritim Bea Cukai, Penyelundupan Obat Terlarang   

Girt by sea: understanding Australia’s maritime domains in a networked world

This study aims to provide the background, language and context necessary for an informed understanding of the challenges and dilemmas faced by those responsible for the efficacy of Australia’s maritime domain awareness system. Abstract Against a rapidly changing region dominated by the rise of China, India and, closer to home, Indonesia, Australia’s approaches to understanding its maritime domains will be influenced by strategic factors and diplomatic judgements as well as operational imperatives.  Australia’s alliance relationship with the United States and its relationships with regional neighbours may be expected to have a profound impact on the strength of the information sharing and interoperability regimes on which so much of Australia’s maritime domain awareness depends. The purpose of this paper is twofold.  First, it seeks to explain in plain English some of the principles, concepts and terms that maritime domain awareness practitioners grapple with on a daily basis.  Second, it points to a series of challenges that governments face in deciding how to spend scarce tax dollars to deliver a maritime domain awareness system that is necessary and sufficient for the protection and promotion of Australia’s national interests

Oil pollution in the North Sea: the impact of governance measures on oil pollution over several decades

Oil pollution entering the marine environment has been an issue of concern for many decades. It can come from riverine or land-based sources, accidental and intentional discharges from ships, or as a by-product of offshore oil extraction. Growing awareness of the impact of oil pollution on the marine environment has led, since the late 1960s, to the introduction of measures to reduce or eliminate pollution from shipping and the offshore oil industry. A framework for environmental protection of the North Sea has developed over many decades through international agreements, regional cooperation, and national measures, while education has also played an important role with modern-day sailors being given due training to understand that dumping waste at sea is illegal in many areas, and is harmful to the marine environment. This paper presents data on trends in pollution from ships and oil installations. While significant reductions in oil pollution have been identified over more than two decades, there remain some areas where action is needed to reduce inputs still further, especially from oil and gas platforms