1998 was the
first official International Year of the Ocean. There was stirring in the
maritime sector to rise to the occasion. A cooperative decision was made to
further awareness, education and action for the protection of the marine
environment. It was about this time that the Australian Marine Environment
Protection Association (AUSMEPA) came to life.
One of the
founding members who was instrumental in the development and incorporation of
AUSMEPA in 2000 was Michael Julian. AUSMEPA acknowledges his contribution.
His story
began near London. Michael fell in love with the sea at an early
age. At aged 12 he set his sights on
joining the London Nautical School and then joined P&O and travelled the
seas. Eventually he quit the sea to marry and raise a family. He immigrated to
Australia distinguishing himself in a career in the public service that
highlighted accomplishments to protect both people and the marine environment.
While working as Executive
Manager International Relations (1997-2002) for the Australian Maritime
Safety Authority (AMSA) he was elected as the first and only Australian to
become Chairman of the United Nations International Maritime Organisation
(IMO) Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC). It should be noted that
IMO is the UN agency responsible for improving maritime safety and marine
environment protection from ship sourced pollution.
As MEPC Chairman he contributed to the development of IMO’s International
Convention on the Control of Harmful Aquatic Organisms in Ballast Water
and acted as Chairman of the Conference Committee for the development and
adoption of International Convention on the Control of Harmful Anti-fouling Systems
on Ships and amendments to MARPOL 73/78 to bring forward the phase out
date for single hull oil tankers. He also worked towards the adoption
of the OPRC HNS Protocol, extending the Convention to cover chemicals
and other noxious substances and the development and agreement of the
then voluntary
guidelines for the recycling of ships.
From 2002 to 2012 Michael began a consulting practice
specialising in maritime safety and environmental services while taking on the
role of as the Executive Director for both AUSMEPA and the Australasian Network
of Maritime Education & Training (ANMET).
We
interviewed Michael about his many years as AUSMEPA’s Executive Director.
Q: What were the circumstances that lead you to join AUSMEPA?
MJ: While I was the Chairman of the IMO’s Marine
Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) from 1997 - 2002 I got to know Dimitris
Mitsatsos, Director General of HELMEPA and to learn a lot about HELMEPA and
HELMEPA Junior. Dimitris attended MEPC as part of the Greek delegation.
On one occasion he asked me if 3 or 4 children from
HELMEPA Junior could address the MEPC. After some discussion with the IMO
Secretariat I agreed. At the next meeting of MEPC 4 Greek children spoke to the
full plenary meeting of MEPC, some 400 delegates. Challenging the
delegates from some 86 countries to improve the protection of the marine
environment and reduce ship sourced pollution. This was first time that
children had been allowed to address an IMO Committee. Everyone was very impressed
with the 4 children who all spoke in English.
About this time Dimitris was invited to speak at a
conference in Brisbane being organised by the Maritime Law Association of
Australia and New Zealand to talk about HELMEPA. During this conference I asked
Dimitris to attend a breakfast meeting with Peter Morris (Transport Minister),
John Watkinson, Steve Pelecanos, some other AMSA people and myself. As a result
of this meeting it was generally agreed that Australia should start a MEPA.
Peter Morris and Steve Pelecanos got it going. John
Watkinson agreed to one of his staff helping by running the Secretariat.
Michael Alexander was approached to be Acting Chairman and Steve Pelecanos
approached Greg McGarvie to be the Executive Director, then President of
the Marine Teachers Association of Queensland. When the Interim Board was
established I with Annaliese Caston represented AMSA.
Prior to my retiring from AMSA in March 2002
Michael Alexander asked me to take on the role of Executive Director to which I
agreed.
Q: Did you have a favourite achievement while Executive Director?
MJ: There are probably two favourite
achievements; firstly, setting up the Ship Membership scheme and thereby
getting ships and ship masters and their crews to have a commitment to protect
the marine environment and secondly, with a great deal of help from Bob
Winters, achieving the level of seven middle year curriculum units on the
AUSMEPA website when the Board agreed we had reached AUSMEPA’s main objective of
having sufficient education units available to all schools in Australia.
Q: What moment will you never forget?
MJ: Again I want to mention two moments – AUSMEPA’s
inauguration and the 10 year anniversary milestone and celebration at Rydges on
Southbank in Brisbane, which brought together many of the founding members as
well as current members and AUSMEPA’s wonderful sponsors.
Q: If you could offer students some words of advice
about looking after the ocean what would they be?
MJ: I have always believed the oceans are the ‘fountain
of life’. Having spent 15 years at sea observing the oceans of the world you
get to understand the power of the sea, never the same it will always have a
different and admiring appearance. However, it is not just
its appearance that is uniquely wonderful but it’s the source of
so many life giving resources. See the creed ‘ I love the Ocean’ this depicts
the words of advice I would like every student to receive.
THE ‘I LOVE
OCEAN’ CREED
I believe that
the ocean harbors life, life that I must protect
I believe that
the ocean is mankind’s greatest common heritage
I believe that
the diversity of the ocean is important to sustaining human life
I believe that I
am part of but one ocean, and that everything I do affects the delicate balance
of life on earth
I believe that
it is my duty to protect the ocean
I believe that,
by protecting the ocean, I help protect the future.
Therefore I
pledge to always live in harmony with the ocean.
Note: The creed can be viewed at the One Ocean Organisation here
Becoming Executive Director from 2002 up until last year
Michael Julian had the helm of the Australian Marine Environment Protection
Association (AUSMEPA) for eleven years. With his help and guidance AUSMEPA became a new and
interesting player on the Marine Extension Education scene. The
organisation grew under his guidance into an impressive, stable and influential
organisation.
We thank him.
www.ausmepa.org.au
AUSMEPA was a founding member of the International Marine Environment Protection Association (INTERMEPA) and participated at its inaugural meeting on 6 June 2006 in Athens.