Through the one-week exercise, IORIS facilitated monitoring, control, and surveillance (MCS) operations of a fishing fleet composed of 16 Panama and Ecuador-flagged vessels. The scope of the operation was to verify the status of the fishing vessels, examine the veracity of licences and authorisations to fish, and oversee transhipment-at-sea with supporting reefers and tankers.
Navies, authorities and agencies involved:
COLOMBIA: Navy, National Maritime Direction (Maritime Authority – DIMAR), Ministry of Environment and Malpelo Flora and Fauna Sanctuary.
COSTA RICA: National Park Cocos Island.
ECUADOR: Navy, Coast Guard (Maritime Authority), Undersecretary of Fishing, Galapagos National Park.
PANAMA: Aeronaval Service (SENAN), Coiba National Park and MAR VIVA FOUNDATION
PERU: Coast Guard (Maritime Authority).
The exercise enabled the creation of an IORIS-based Community Area that continues to live on after REGEX, facilitating communication, coordination and collaboration among all the countries which are part of the Eastern Tropical Pacific Marine Corridor (CMAR), an intergovernmental initiative to promote conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity in the Eastern Tropical Pacific through regional governmental strategies, and supported by civil society, international cooperation and non-governmental agencies.
Supported by civil society, international cooperation, and non-governmental organisations, the corridor has, as core areas, the marine protected areas of the Malpelo Flora and Fauna Sanctuary, the Gorgona National Natural Park (Colombia), the Coiba National Park (Panama), the Galapagos National Park and Marine Reserve (Ecuador), and the National Park Cocos Island (Costa Rica), which form a Network of Marine Protected Areas.

You can read more about how CRIMARIO helps in addressing Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated fishing click here: https://www.crimario.eu/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/IORIS_Brochure_IUU_A4_V5.pdf.

L’article IORIS In support of Maritime Conservation in Latin America est apparu en premier sur Crimario II.

On September 17, 2024, civilian and military experts from 35 European Union (EU), Latin American, and Caribbean (LAC) countries, along with key decision-makers, gathered in Cartagena, Colombia, for the Fourth Seminar on Security and Defense.

L’article CRIMARIO at the EU & Latin America and the Caribbean bi-regional seminar on peace, security and defence challenges est apparu en premier sur Crimario II.

Both trainers are highly motivated to help the Somaliland Coast Guard strengthen its role in regional maritime security through this intensive program.

The day began with opening remarks from Kenneth Neijnes, who underscored the growing challenges in the Gulf of Aden, which has become more problematic in recent years. He stressed the urgent need for countries and maritime organizations in the region to collaborate more closely.

“Only by sharing information on maritime security can we reverse this negative trend,” Neijnes remarked. He also highlighted the help the CRIMARIO  project can bring to the region and how the IORIS platform, which is currently utilized by over 100 maritime organizations in more than 50 countries can be useful in the area. The platform, he noted, is vital not only for security but also for Search and Rescue operations, saving lives at sea.

Lt. Colonel Khadar Isse, Head of International Relations, emphasized the importance of mutual support in building competence. He pointed out that stronger participants must assist those with less experience to ensure no one is left behind. Lt. Colonel Isse stressed that it is essential for the Somaliland Coast Guard to gain a thorough understanding of the IORIS system in order to manage maritime operations effectively and coordinate with organizations beyond Somaliland’s borders.

Colonel Abdirahman Nour, Head of Operations, elaborated on how the IORIS system could greatly enhance the Coast Guard’s ability to access critical information from other maritime organizations and engage in professional, secure collaboration.

Poul Severinsen, Head of EUCAP Field Office Somaliland, spoke about the significant advancements the Somaliland Coast Guard is currently experiencing. These include the construction of a new command centre and communication tower in Berbera, supported by EUCAP. He also touched on ongoing efforts to boost Maritime Domain Awareness, enhance cooperation, and improve information-sharing practices. The collective message from all the speakers was clear: Together we are stronger.

This collaborative effort aims to build a safer and more secure maritime environment for everyone in the Gulf of Aden.

L’article Refresh Training Began in Hargeisa for the Somaliland Coast Guard est apparu en premier sur Crimario II.

The workshop aims to enhance the knowledge and skills of the staff responsible for crisis management within ministerial departments and national agencies that contribute to State Action at Sea. Additionally, it seeks to develop a maritime crisis management strategy tailored to Malagasy means and particularities. By the end of the workshop, a maritime crisis management group will be established, which will be operationalized within the Inter-ministerial Center for the Coordination of Maritime Operations (CICOM) at the CFIM premises.

Various agencies and ministerial departments dedicated to State Action at Sea will participate in the workshop. These include the Ministry of Armed Forces (Ministère des Forces Armées, MFA), the Delegate Ministry in charge of the Gendarmerie (Ministère délégué en charge de la Gendarmerie, MDG), the Ministry of Public Security (Ministère de la Sécurité Publique, MSP), the Ministry of Transport and Meteorology (Ministère du Transport et de la Météorologie, MTTM), the Ministry of Fishery and Blue Economy (Ministère de la Pêche et de l’Economie Bleue, MPEB), the Ministry of the Environment and Sustainable Development (Ministère de l’Environnement et du Développement Durable, MEDD), the Ministry of Public Health (Ministère de la Santé Publique, MSP), the Ministry of Economy and Finance (Ministère de l’Economie et des Finances, MEF), the Ministry of Interior (Ministère de l’Intérieur, MI), the Ministry of External Affairs (Ministère des Affaires Etrangères, MAE), the National Navy (l’Etat-major de la Marine Nationale, EMMN), and the Civil Protection (Corps de Protection Civile, CPC).

L’article Enhancing Maritime Crisis Management: CRIMARIO Partners with Madagascar to Strengthen National Coordination est apparu en premier sur Crimario II.

Co-organised by CRIMARIO and the Indian Ocean Commission, the exercise was designed to be a dynamic and engaging simulation, to test and improve the regional maritime operational capabilities of the Indian Ocean region. Through detailed preparation, robust communication protocols, and strict adherence to legal frameworks, the exercise aimed to foster a cooperative environment that enhanced the response to maritime security threats.

During the exercise participants shared information on #IORIS, a communications platform for interagency planning and coordination at the national and regional level, which facilitates the gathering, analysis, and exchange of information to timely and efficiently support decision-making and actions at sea.

The exercise scenario focused on locating and identifying ships involved in the transportation of narcotics, Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated fishing, Search and Rescue and how to respond to these challenges (i.e., interdiction, interception, handover, legal finish, etc.) and coordinate operations at sea, in the framework of the IOC regional agreements.

The TTX helped participants to practice the law of the sea, including article 17 of the United Nations Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances.

Moreover, they trained about interagency coordinated responses at national and regional level, refining tactics, techniques, and procedures in a controlled, simulated environment.

In the words of Martin Cauchi Inglott: “Essential in our line of business is the ability to communicate and coordinate effectively, so that we can conduct effective and efficient missions and operations, and this is precisely what the exercise targeted. A total of 11 scenarios were played in this exercise, over 2.5 days addressing the three main themes: people, drugs and IUU. I would like to congratulate all the agencies participating in the exercises for playing an essential role in it”.

In his closing remarks Raj Mohabeer, Indian Ocean Commission, underlined: “These exercises are extremely important to enhance cooperation among national and regional centres. I would like to thank all participating countries, the RMIFC, the RCOC, and EU CRIMARIO project for the good cooperation and for the success of this exercise which will contribute to strengthen maritime security in the region”.

L’article BALINN24: working together to enhance regional coordination and information sharing for safer and more secure seas est apparu en premier sur Crimario II.

Coming out of a crisis well requires serious planning, rehearsals, and support from the very top of the organisation.

These were all the topics discussed during the five-day workshop provided by the project in Djibouti between the 14 and 18 of January, in an international context marked since December 2023 by serious disruptions to maritime traffic on the traffic axis of the Bab Al Mandeb Strait, at the confluence of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

The seminar, organised in cooperation with by the Regional Maritime Training Center of Djibouti (CRFM/DRTC), brought together national and international experts to discuss best practices in maritime crisis management.

Throughout the seminar, participants had the opportunity to attend presentations and interactive workshops led by international specialists. Topics covered included maritime crisis prevention, emergency management at sea, international coordination and the role of the maritime authorities.

National institutions also shared their own experiences in this area, highlighting measures taken to strengthen maritime security and safety in the country. Case studies were presented, reflecting the specific challenges Djibouti faces due to its strategic geographic position.

The seminar was inaugurated by the Director General of CRFM/DRTC Ms. Mina Houssein, who underlined the importance of strengthening national capacities in maritime crisis management. Ms. Houssein also highlighted the crucial role of Djibouti as a maritime shipping hub in the Horn of Africa region.

Closing the workshop Fabrice Tollari, responsible for the international crisis management training said: “During this week, we were able to identify and train a team ready to respond to any type of crisis that might occur at sea. The team now masters the fundamental principles of crisis management, the specific tools needed to successfully manage an exceptional situation, and the processes involved in making decisions under uncertainty. We carried out a large-scale tabletop crisis exercise, which enabled participants to confirm the need for an organised structure and trained teams to respond to a crisis.
The investment of the participants and the level of preparation of the Republic of Djibouti deserve to be underlined. We need to continue working in this direction, to keep coordinated management at tactical, strategic and political levels.”

L’article We always need to communicate, especially in time of crisis. est apparu en premier sur Crimario II.

The initial objective of the mission was to understand the general crisis management organisation of the Seychelles Disaster Risk Management Division (DRMD) and prepare a workshop to the benefit of all agencies involved at relief coordination level.

On the 7^th of December, though, Seychelles suffered two major blows. Firstly, heavy rainfall caused severe damage to roads, flooding, and landslides, with destruction of several properties and three people dead. On the same day, an explosion at a quarrying company in the Providence industrial area caused massive damage to residential homes and commercial buildings, along the east coast of the main island of Mahe.

Despite the difficult situation, the DRMD authorities decided to carry on with the mission while changing the objective: in light of the events, they requested the assignment to focus on analysing organisational chains during the management of a crisis and proposing solutions, particularly in terms of information management in crisis situations.

Upon arrival Fabrice Tollari and Samuel Champon, from the CRIMARIO II project, met M.Errol Fonseka Minister of the Interior,  M. Robert Ernesta DG of DRMD and M.Daniel Cetoupe Principal Disaster Management Officer, to discuss the situation and agree on the actions to take.

In the following days, the CRIMARIO team played an important role in leading the activities in handling the situation in cooperation with the country’s partners in charge of crisis management at national level.

The work focused on analysing and sharing with DRMD the organisational areas needing improvement, drawing a communication plan, and delivering 2 awareness-raising workshops for the agencies involved in DRM.

The workshops equipped officials from various branches of the Seychelles Government, many of which were involved in the disasters that took place on the 6th & 7th December, with the knowledge and tools to better communicate in a crisis.

Moreover, the CRIMARIO team drafted a procedure for activating and implementing the 3-level chains of command (tactical, strategic and political) and a Situation Report (SITREP) template, to provide decision-makers and readers with a quick understanding of the current situation.

In addition, the CRIMARIO team has drafted a procedure for managing and sharing information in a crisis situation, for use by the three-level chains of command (tactical, strategic and political), as well as a situation report template (SITREP). In the long term, this procedure could greatly facilitate understanding of the situation and support decision-makers.

During the press conference held on the 12^th of December Mr. Cetoupe, after explaining the situation on the ground, informed about the support the country was receiving from the CRIMARIO project, whose team was in Seychelles at the time of the incident conducting training with the DRMD staff[1].

[1] http://www.seychellesnewsagency.com/articles/19767/Seychelles+steps+up+disaster+preparedness+following+Dec.++floodings+and+blast

L’article CRIMARIO supports Seychelles to coordinate Disaster Risk Management est apparu en premier sur Crimario II.

What best way to involve different agencies through an exercise which will run continually in the Info-Pacific region? Sisyphus, an ongoing exercise in the Indo-Pacific designed by CRIMARIO to fortify IORIS adoption.

Encompassing all facets relevant to participating organizations, this initiative empowers IORIS users to bolster their confidence in the system, pinpoint procedural gaps, and establish connections with counterparts in different agencies across borders and oceans.

Since its commencement in October, the IORIS community has been invited to utilise the simulated tracking function on the platform, tracking vessels exhibiting suspicious behavior or requiring assistance.

Embarking from Madagascar, the Merchant Vessel Sisyphus, among others, has simulated various scenarios, including acting as narcotics runners, traversing vast oceans, occasionally functioning as a mother ship, and engaging with fishing vessels.

The exercise has traversed diverse waters, passing through Comoros, Mozambique, South Africa, Somalia, Yemen, Oman, Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Mauritius. Cross-sectoral injects have been provided, addressing navigation safety, search and rescue, and other maritime challenges.

Continuing into January, the exercise will run around the clock with the assistance of CRIMARIO Country Representatives. The team will craft scenarios for one- or multi-day exercises, testing users’ reactivity, effectiveness, and competence, primarily in IORIS use. This will also serve to identify potential enhancements to Standard Operating Procedures.

By facilitating the exchange of critical information, the exercise aims to guide the IORIS community on when, how, and with whom information needs to be shared.

Moreover, it seeks to transform the prevailing mindset from ‘need to know’ to ‘responsibility to share,’ fostering safer and more secure seas.

L’article SISYPHUS: a dynamic maritime exercise enhancing IORIS uptake across the Indo-Pacific Region est apparu en premier sur Crimario II.

In the simulated scenario, which involved an Omani-flagged vessel attacked and hijacked by pirates. At the same time, on its way from Aqaba to Muscat, the operators navigated through multiple maritime challenges, such as Search and Rescue (SAR) and Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS), with precision. Using IORIS features, particularly the simulation and satellite AIS layers, proved instrumental in addressing such complex situations.

This week, from an IORIS refresher to engaging discussions and a thorough debrief, emphasised the project’s commitment to effective information sharing across the Indo-Pacific region. The collective efforts demonstrated by dedicated users underscore the invaluable role of IORIS in facilitating real-time collaboration and response.

L’article Successful IORIS Regional Exercise in the Gulf of Aden/Horn of Africa region est apparu en premier sur Crimario II.

The Command Post Exercise “PAGHAHANDA” 2023 was jointly organised by the Philippines’ National Coast Watch Center (NCW Center) and  CRIMARIO II and was held in Manila from 28 November to 01 December 2023. The Exercise facilitated  fruitful discussions among the representatives of the Philippines maritime law enforcement agencies onthe benefits, impediments and relevant solutions enabling inter-agency information sharing and coordination in addressing maritime security challenges.

More importantly, it created a suitable venue for buidling up national inter-agency Standard Operating Procedures for coordination and information exchange which will be used in facilitating coordination  in IORIS the Indo-Pacific Information Sharing Platform.The Comand-Post Exercise “PAGHAHANDA” 2023 aimed to test the IORIS coordination and communication protocols in effectively facilitating the joint detection, identification, and interdiction of maritime threats within the Philippine maritime jurisdiction.

The successful conclusion of the exercise on IORIS demonstrated the willingness and commitment of the Philippines’ national agencies and governmental bodies to work and collaborate together, with the NCW Center as the main catalyst for interagency coordination. The exercise highlighted how strengthening cooperation and coordination could improve the joint response to real-world emergencies in today’s complex maritime world.At the same time, IORIS proved to be a reliable communications platform for interagency planning and coordination at the national level, facilitating the gathering, analysis, and exchange of information to timely and efficiently respond to complex and evolving maritime threats.

In his opening remarks, Philippine Coast Guard Vice Admiral Roy A Echeverria, the Director of the NCW  Center, shared the importance of diverse group of participants working together towards one goal. He also emphasized the importance of the participation of maritime law enforcement agencies in operationalizing IORIS in their organization and for improved information-sharing among the Philippine maritime law enforcement agencies which will also benefit for strengthened and effective maritime security operations.

Participating in the event, Frederic Grillet, First Secretary at the EU Delegation to the Philippines added: “By participating in inter-agency exercises like PAGHAHANDA 23 and working towards the establishment of a national governance of IORIS, the Philippine sets an example for the countries in the region and transmit the message that the country is ready to cooperate regionally in addressing maritime security challenges.  This will also determine the rate of expansion of IORIS in the region, because you will be the prove of its added value in strengthening Maritime Domain Awareness and increasing your country’s contribution to the blue economy and prosperity through a safe and secure maritime trade  ”

Alexandru Chiric, the CRIMARIO representative for Southeast Asia said, “The role of the NCW Center as the national coordinator and administrator of IORIS is paramount in supporting the use of the platform as an advanced and more efficient inter-agency coordination and planning tool.”

Martin Cauchi-Inglott, CRIMARIO project director concluded: “The Philippines has been at the forefront of welcoming IORIS to the region and is now set to lead the way in taking ownership of IORIS, allowing itself to drive the process internally, and bridge to external partners whenever it deems necessary. My hearty congratulations go to these most professional maritime agencies participating in the exercises in the past days and to the NCW Center for co-organising and playing an essential role in conducting it”.

L’article Philippine agencies work together to enhace national inter-agency coordination and information sharing on securing safe seas est apparu en premier sur Crimario II.

EUCAP and CRIMARIO II organised a two-week training for members of Somali Police Force Department of Coast Guard, Somali Navy and Coast Guard and the Ministry of Fisheries and Blue Economy. In total, 23 officers successfully completed the training on the IORIS platform. It makes them able to exchange and analyse information and jointly coordinate maritime operations.

L’article Connecting and coordinating Maritime – IORIS training in Mogadishu est apparu en premier sur Crimario II.

Moreover, some officials learned how to execute more advanced functions such as importing data from other sources, creating layered image overlays to build a common picture, and providing statistics concerning the areas they manage.

Field officers from EUCAP participated in the training too, and will support the local Coast Guard on site, to the benefit of involved parties.

Lt Col. Khadar M. Isse, participating in the training sessions, highlighted the role IORIS can play in supporting regional cooperation: “ Since the Somaliland Coast Guard is the only maritime law enforcement agency in Somaliland, the IORIS system will help us to share information with our neighbouring countries; using it we can get reliable information and participate in joint maritime operations in the region, as we can get and share information with other agencies working in the neighbourhood country.

Similarly, IORIS will help us better implement our daily work. The system facilitates coordination and communication among assets by sharing secure information from the various Coast Guard Sectors when needed.”

Closing the training, Admiral Ahmad Hure Harriye signed the IORIS Partnership Agreement on behalf of the Somaliland Coast Guard, which became an official user of IORIS, joining the IORIS community, which comprises more than 55 agencies from over 25 States in the Indo-Pacific.

During his speech, Admiral Harriye pointed out the need for starting information sharing and cooperation in the Gulf of Aden, especially since there are several criminals and terrorist that takes advantage of the lack of Maritime Domain Awareness in The Gulf of Aden. “Thank you, CRIMARIO, for providing the training and allowing the Somaliland Coast Guard access to the Indian Ocean HUB with all the other countries in the Indian Ocean. Together we are stronger!”.

CRIMARIO congratulated all trainees and confirmed it will stand ready to support Somaliland Coast Guards in the future.

L’article Somaliland Coast Guards join the IORIS community est apparu en premier sur Crimario II.

Moreover, the abolition of the High-Risk Area (HRA) in the Indian Ocean raises new concerns regarding the safe and efficient deployment of Privately Contracted Armed Security Personnel in the future.

To address the above uncertainties/shortfalls, the EU funded project CRIMARIO II is offering IORIS, a neutral and secure information exchange tool, to enhance connectivity between the WFP vessels and Operation ATALANTA Joint Operation Centre, with the Maritime Security Centre Horn of Africa (MSCHOA) fully integrated. Through this process, WFP chartered vessels will be incorporated into specific IORIS Community Areas, administered by Operation ATALANTA to enhance monitoring, and improve incident response procedures 24/7. IORIS will consequently provide WFP vessels and ATALANTA with a reliable platform to share information (from Protection Plans to Industry Releasable Threat Assessments or Bulletins), sailing recommendations, and escort instructions when available, among other possible key information.

Since CRIMARIO II’s proposal to enable IORIS on board the time-chartered vessel has been very welcomed by WFP, ATALANTA and the company, a CRIMARIO training team has just provided a tailored-training session to the vessel MSM Dolores during a stopover in Mombasa and will develop a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to support the WFP – ATALANTA operation.

This clearly gives testimony of the EU’s commitment to delivering humanitarian aid to Somalia through the WFP, as well as safeguarding the lives of seafarers.

To conclude, IORIS now in operation in over 20 Indo-Pacific countries, offers maritime operations centres and deployed naval vessels, the possibility to enhance the monitoring of vessels delivering humanitarian aid and vulnerable vessels, advising them about potential threats in the surrounding area that they are transiting through, whilst also allowing them to respond to incidents promptly. It also offers a live link between merchant vessels at sea and safety and security centres.

L’article The Indo Pacific Regional Information Sharing Platform (IORIS) to support delivering humanitarian aid to Somalia est apparu en premier sur Crimario II.

French instructors, with the help of Filipino and Djiboutian interpreters, initiated coast guards from Maldives and Sri Lanka to different methods and techniques of underwater investigations from searching of traces and clues in an underwater crime scene to classify objects and taking underwater images.  A summary exercise, including a body discovery scenario, closed the training. 

The objective was to provide trainees with the first notions of investigation in an underwater environment. Techniques that they will then be able to use and adapt to their model and their needs, which vary according to each territory. In the Maldives, a country impacted by boat accidents, the CNING gendarmes have thus reinforced the “recording of elements on the victim” aspect. For Sri Lanka participants, who are more affected by problems linked to drug trafficking, the part related to “fingerprints on container” has been addressed more in depth.

Furthermore, magistrates from Sri Lanka learned how to give guidance to the divers to collect evidence, and best use it in trials courts; they were introduced to possibilities and limitations of underwater investigations. 

L’article Improving maritime law enforcement through forensic diving training est apparu en premier sur Crimario II.

From 15 to 19 November, the staff of CFIM and maritime organisations (Naval Forces Command, MRCC / JRCC, Fisheries Monitoring Centre, OLEP, Gendarmerie, Counter-Terrorism Service) were trained on the IORIS platform by Patrick Rakotondravao, IORIS instructor of the CRIMARIO project. The participants were able to consolidate their knowledge and master the advanced functions related to the administration of the tool.

At the end of the session, the participants took part in a practical crisis management exercise based on a fire on board a fishing boat. They were able to see the added value of such a platform to exchange and collaborate between the various maritime agencies.

In addition, from 6 to 10 December, Patrick Rakotondravao trained a pool of future IORIS trainers who will in turn be able to support their colleagues in using the platform as a tool for inter-agency coordination.

L’article Madagascar: IORIS platform users strengthen their know-how est apparu en premier sur Crimario II.