by Mervin Matthew,
Government Information Service
A three day regional workshop on maritime security, port facility security and customs coordination ended in Dominica last week. The programme was funded by the Canadian Government in collaboration with the Organization of American States.
The workshop was attended by representatives from Antigua, Bahamas, Barbados, Guyana, Haiti, Suriname, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and St Kitts.
Mike Brown represented the United States Coast Guard at last week’s workshop
“Port security, maritime security, the threat of terrorism is an international problem and it requires an international solution. It is only by working together through workshops such as these that we can ultimately be successful. I look forward to engaging with all of you over the next several days to discuss some of this very important issues with regards to maritime, port security and to cooperation between government agencies and I do hope at the end we can all benefit and go back to our respective countries armed with better ideas, better knowledge to make our port and maritime environment more secure.”
 Mike Brown, representative
from the United States of
America Coast Guard
Canadian Coast Guard representative, Ray Clarke, recognizes that there are major challenges relating to the efficient management of port security worldwide.
He is optimistic that these can be resolved if it is approached collectively.
“Terrorists’ threats are constantly evolving and threatening the maritime sector which is so vital to the economies in the Americas. In Canada and likely in many of your countries, responsibility for maritime security falls within the mandates and jurisdictions of many different departments and agencies. Therefore, it is critically important to establish robust security partnerships through the collaborative efforts of dedicated individuals such as yourselves to help achieve marine security goals and unity of effort. These relationships must be based on clear roles and responsibilities and a shared commitment to strengthening maritime security.”
 Canadian Coast Guard
representative, Ray Clarke
Hon. Minister for Public Works, Energy and Ports, Rayburn Blackmoore, stressed the importance of all regional and international governments and agencies to adopt the required international standards and best practices related to the management of port security.
“The maritime sector makes a very significant contribution to all the economies in the region and by extension, the world. But if we have to continue to do business in that sector, we are obligated to adhere to international best practices. That is why that the Government of Dominica is mandated, therefore, in ensuring that all the players who are involved in such an important sector comply to the measures as contained in the code, as it refers to our security standards that came into effect on July 1st, 2004.”
 Hon. Minister for Public Works,
Energy and Ports,
Rayburn Blackmoore
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