About MEPA
MEPA: questions and answers
Mediterranean Environmental Protection Agency, in plain sentences: what it is, who runs it, what it has done and who it is not.
What is MEPA?
Mediterranean Environmental Protection Agency (MEPA) is an independent non-governmental organisation working on pollution of the Mediterranean Sea. It is building a way to combine satellite imagery, AI-assisted screening and analyst review to find possible marine pollution, check it, and put documented evidence in front of the authorities who can act. It is at an early stage: Research and methods says what exists, what is planned and what has not been published.
Is MEPA a government agency?
No. Despite the word “Agency” in its name, MEPA is an independent non-governmental organisation. It has no enforcement powers: it passes what it can verify to the coastal or flag-state authority that can act.
Is this the same MEPA as the Italian public procurement marketplace or the medical equipment alliance?
No. “MEPA” is also used for the Italian Mercato Elettronico della Pubblica Amministrazione (a public e-procurement platform) and for the Medical Equipment Proactive Alliance. This MEPA is the Mediterranean Environmental Protection Agency, at mepa.ngo, and is not connected to either.
Who runs MEPA?
MEPA is directed by Santiago Puig Asensio, Director and Principal Investigator. How MEPA is governed, who controls the money and its disclosure about its investigations partner PolarVector are on For funders.
What is MEPA’s legal status?
MEPA is an incorporated association in Western Australia, under the Associations Incorporation Act 2015. Application for incorporation no. 1927039, Associations and Charities (Consumer Protection Division), Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety, Western Australia. It is not registered as a charity and does not issue tax-deductible receipts. The details are in the terms of use.
Where is MEPA based?
MEPA works on the Mediterranean and is based in Limassol, Cyprus. Its legal home is Western Australia. It publishes no street address.
What has MEPA actually done so far?
Some work is done by hand today: analyst review of open satellite data and of reports from the public. The Levantine Lanes 90 research pilot (shipping lanes south of Cyprus) is proposed, and methodology development is under way. No pilot results have been published. MEPA’s published pieces are explainers, illustrative cases and a concept note, listed with what each is and is not on Research and methods.
How is MEPA funded?
By donations. MEPA accepts donations in Monero (card payments are to follow) and publishes a list of the equipment it needs, so that a gift can go to a specific item. For funders shows the budget and how the money is governed, and Donations and refunds explains the rules.
How do I report pollution or contact MEPA?
Use the report form or write to admin@mepa.ngo. MEPA is not an emergency service: if a spill is happening now, contact the emergency services or the coastal authority first.
How do I cite MEPA?
Name the piece, the date shown on it, and its address on mepa.ngo, for example: Mediterranean Environmental Protection Agency, “Silent Spillways”, https://www.mepa.ngo/investigations/silent-spillways/. Pieces carry a revision date when they change, and corrections are welcome.
Where else is MEPA online?
The official website is www.mepa.ngo. MEPA is also on Instagram. Anything else claiming to be MEPA and not linked from this website is not run by MEPA.