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Grupo GAMA

GAMA Group Mission

The coastal and the marine environmental emergency response team (Gama in Spanish) aims to perform a fast characterization after an environmental emergency occurs in the seas and along the coasts of Colombia. This would include a description of the event (what happened, where and how) as well as identify and quantify the affected areas (ecosystems and human populations). Additionally, a technical report on the scope and possible effects of the emergency would be provided, taking primary and secondary information as points of reference.

Objectives of the GAMMA group

General objetive

To determine the environmental impacts caused by emergencies and disasters of natural or anthropogenic origin in marine and coastal areas of Colombia.

Specific objectives

To identify the environmental impact of natural or anthropogenic events on a marine or coastal area of the country.
To determine which affected ecosystems or human populations are in need of immediate assistance.
To provide information to the entities responsible for mitigating the impacts and establish these programs for the rehabilitation of impacted ecosystems.
To offer technical assistance in understanding the plans for environmental emergencies that requires the advice of INVEMAR.

Left: Sinking of a barge transporting carbon along the area of Punta Betín in April 2001 author: GAMA Right:Oil spill emergency in Cartagena in April 2005 author: GAMA

Functional organic structure

The Group is composed of a team of specialists from different disciplines with experience in the study, management, protection and conservation of the coastal and marine environment. Within the Group’s structure, there are specific subgroups that operate according to the geographical area and the specifics of the event or object of attention.

Left: Palm oil spill in the bay of Taganga and Santa Marta April 2008 Author: Gama Right: Oil spill emergency in Cartagena April 2005 Author: Gama

Who plans and responds to these environmental emergencies?

The GAMA group depends directly on the Sub-director of Coordination of Investigations. The marine environmental quality program coordinator, who will be responsible for the planning and coordination of the activities before, during and after the emergency, leads this group. Other research programs and the Coordination of General Services, bearing in mind the technical needs, work in attending to the environmental emergency.

Left: Palm oil spill in the bay of Taganga and Santa Marta April 2008 Author: Gama Right: Palm oil spill in the bay of Taganga and Santa Marta April 2008 Author: Gama