Building a Mercury Monitoring Network
A Mercury Monitoring Network is important for helping countries that have ratified (or wish to ratify) the Minamata Convention on Mercury to meet their obligations and effectively implement its provisions.
The development of an integrated network of toxicology laboratories will:
- Help facilitate countries with limited resources to be more efficient in evaluating the effectiveness of the Minamata Convention,
- Provide a way for countries to coordinate information about mercury in seafood for human and ecological health purposes, and to help build capacity within the region to make independent assessments,
- Help assist countries with sustainable economic activities related to seafood resources,
- Provide assistance to build capacity for relevant Ministries to protect human and ecological health.
Central Africa Mercury Monitoring Network
The Central Africa Mercury Monitoring Network (CAMMN) is important to serve as a mercury monitoring hub for the region. A grant from the Minamata Convention Secretariat’s Office through the Specific International Programme to Gabon sets the stage for this regional network. The development of a centralized mercury lab will aid in building capacity to contribute toward an understanding of human and ecological health.
The CAMMN will assist in:
- Building capacity with relevant local Ministries in the focal country of Gabon;
- Developing standard operating procedures for the region;
- Coordinating information about mercury for human and ecological health purposes.
BRI’s Senior Ecological Analyst Mark Burton recently traveled to Gabon to tour the laboratory facilities and meet with the Minister of Health and Minister of Environment.
Resources and Publications
- Caribbean Mercury Monitoring Network Report
- Mercury in the Global Environment
- Local, Regional, and Global Biomonitoring: Understanding Mercury Exposure through Monitoring At-risk Species
- Global Mercury Monitoring in Biota (8-page summary)
- Phasing Out/Phasing Down Mercury-added Products: What to Know about Consumer and Commercial Products Outlined in the Minamata Convention
Photo Credits: Header photo © iStock; cribea
