* Stimulation of an approach whereby regional specialized networks of laboratories employ 

 the sentinel organism technique for surveillance and monitoring of contamination; serve as a "field- 

 test" of a large-scale international coastal monitoring program for chemical contaminants. 



* Creation of a global area regional network for data exchange between area laboratories, 

 including discussion of quality control, sample analysis, data format and data analysis procedures. 



* Encourage the creation of an institutional mechanism capable of building on the base of this 

 Initial Phase to systematically produce high quality data on priority contaminants in the near-shore 

 environment using tested methods of sampling and analysis for baseline studies, for regional 

 monitoring programs and for research studies. 



* Provide technical assistance to scientists in the IMW Phase I (Latin America) region 

 concerning sampling and analysis of environmental samples, data interpretation and access to 

 international scientific literature. 



* Assist regional scientists with the evaluation of scientific data for use by decision-makers in 

 all government levels. 



* Increase national capabilities to assess environmental problems related to organochlorine 

 pesticides, industrial chemicals and other contaminants in the broader context of a global baseline; 

 provide a forum for training and for a discussion of the interpretation of analytical results in the 

 context of environmental processes. 



* Create a base for assessment of priorities for future research and monitoring in relation to 

 the information gathered during this IMW phase with existing historic information. 



Initial Implementation Phase; Operational Activities 



In May, 1991 members of the International Mussel Watch Committee and representatives 

 of three regional monitoring programs (i.e. Costa Atlantica Sudoccidental.CASO; Comision 

 Permanente del Pacifico Sur, CPPS; Regional Programme for Assessment and Control of Marine 

 Pollution in the Wider Caribbean.CEPPOL) met at the University of Costa Rica to organize the 

 Initial Implementation Phase of International Mussel Watch. In this Initial Phase, the goal was to 

 collect samples from throughout the region by the IMW Field Scientist, with the assistance of 

 Host-Country scientists (IMW, 1992). The Initial Phase region includes both coasts of Central 

 and South America, including the wider Caribbean area and Mexico. Discussions in Costa Rica 

 resulted in a fine-tuning of the International Mussel Watch program design, a solidification of the 

 sampling program and the list of national participants (see Appendix F). Potential sampling areas 

 were selected and Host-Country scientists invited to collaborate in the program. The Initial 

 Implementation Phase provides direct experience for introducing this program to other global 

 regions. Host-Country scientists form the nucleus of an international marine monitoring network 

 through which the results of the project are being disseminated. 



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