The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA)Director-General, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, has inaugurated Marine Litter Marshals. This is to assist the agency rid the waters of unwanted materials, which can cause environmental degradation and impede safety of navigation on the territorial waters. Maritime Correspondent OLUWAKE\MI DAUDA looks at issues around its formation .
The Director-General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside, a few days ago, inaugurated Marine Litter Marshals to assist the agency in ridding the waters of unwanted materials that can cause environmental degradation and also impede safety of navigation.
At the flag-off of the first phase with 120 marshals, held at the Nigerian Maritime Resource Development Centre in Lagos, Peterside charged Nigerians on the sustainable use of ocean resources, adding that there are so many activities dependent on the ocean. “The state of health of the ocean is related to the state of our health and our economy. Therefore, we must stop the indiscriminate dumping of materials in our ocean,” he said.
Why the current move by NIMASA on marine litter is essential?
The current discussions on marine litter, as championed by NIMASA, stakeholders said, are essential because oceans, seas and rivers are the lifeblood of humanity, but they are being turned into rubbish dumps.
A maritime lawyer and university don, Mr Dipo Alaka, said Nigerians have a collective responsibility to support NIMASA to clean the waters, and to act now.
“What NIMASA intends to do with its campaign against marine litter is to turn the tide on plastic and other waste, protect biodiversity and keep the oceans rich and clean. It is an investment in our own survival, the survival of our children and the future generations and our nation” he said
What is marine litter?
Marine litter has been defined by the United Nations as “any persistent, manufactured or processed solid material discarded, disposed of or abandoned in the marine and coastal environment. Marine litter consists of items that have been made or used by people and deliberately discarded into the sea or rivers or on beaches; brought indirectly to the sea with rivers, sewage, storm water or winds; accidentally lost, including material lost at sea in bad weather (fishing gear, cargo); or deliberately left by people on beaches and shores.”
According to Alaka:”Marine litter is found on the beaches and shores, on the water surface, in the water column and on the seabed. It can be found near the source of input but also can be transported over a long distances with sea currents and winds.”
The maritime lawyer said there was a need to support NIMASA in preserving the waters and seas as it holds a lot of opportunities in developing the economy and providing jobs for the people.
“We are in support of the latest move by NIMASA to find effective solutions and required actions to improve litter prevention, recycling, and other waste management infrastructure, along with strong national, regional and international partnerships,” Alaka said.
What causes marine litter?
Ocean pollution is not a problem limited to one country, or even one continent. But it’s becoming increasingly clear that what happens in one city can have impacts across the globe. According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), about 80 per cent of marine litter originates on land. A majority of scientific studies have concluded that plastic in the ocean is the result of poor or insufficient waste management and lack of sufficient recycling and recovery. UNEP identified these sources as the most important:
- Poorly managed or poorly resourced landfill sites
- Sewage treatment and combined sewer overflows
- People using beaches for recreation or shore fishing
- Manufacturing sites, plastic processing, and transport
- Shore-based solid-waste disposal and processing facilities
- Inadequately covered waste containers and waste-container vehicles
- Inappropriate or illegal dumping of domestic and industrial trash or waste
- Street litter that is washed by rain or snowmelt, or blown by wind into waterways
Types of marine litter
There are many types of marine litter. Roughly 70 per cent of marine litter, such as glass, metal, and all sorts of marine equipment and other refuse sink to the ocean floor.
Debris and pollution do not belong in the ocean and sea, they are human creation.
While marine litter consists of all sorts of materials, many plastics float or remain suspended in water, making them more visible.
Marine litter can harm ecosystems, human
Marine litter, it was learnt, is not only ugly – it can harm ocean ecosystems, wildlife, and humans. It can injure coral reefs and bottom dwelling species and entangle or drown ocean wildlife. Some marine animals ingest the litter and choke or starve. Medical waste (such as syringes), sharp objects, and large pieces of litter can pose a direct threat to humans.
A pervasive problem plaguing the world
Marine litter is one of the most pervasive and solvable pollution problem plaguing the world’s oceans and waterways. Nets, food wrappers, cigarette filters, bottles, resin pellets, and other debris items can have serious impacts on wildlife, habitat, and human safety. Successful management of the problem requires a comprehensive understanding of both marine debris and human behavior. Knowledge is key for consumers to make appropriate choices when it comes to using and disposing of waste items. Education and outreach programs, strong laws and policies, and governmental and private enforcement are the building blocks for a successful marine pollution prevention initiative. The plastic industry also has a role to play in educating its employees and customers, and searching for technological mitigation strategies.
Working in partnership with industries, local, state government
Peterside has left nobody in doubt that he was appointed by President Muhammadu Bihari to protect the nation’s ocean and sea.
Findings revealed that ocean pollution is not a problem limited to one country, or even one continent. But it’s becoming increasingly clear that what happens in one state can have impacts across the country.
That is why the stakeholders said NIMASA needs to work in partnership with local, state, the Federal Government, industry players, NGOs and the United Nations in resolving that good prevention and waste management is the key to keeping waste out of the nation’s territorial waters.
Problems and threats caused by
marine litter:
Investigation revealed that there are numerous problems and threats associated with marine litter, which include environmental, social and economic impacts. These problems are interconnected and difficult to solve separately.
Its general implications for the Nigerian economy are also enormous, such as beach cleaning, loss of tourism and tits negative impacts on fishing industry. It poses a considerable threat to the health and productivity of marine ecosystems. No wonder Peterside said, “the presence of marine litter in our waters is impacting negatively on NIMASA’s Strategic Objectives, most notably the drive to make Nigeria a greener, wealthier and fairer, safer and stronger and healthier nation.”
Risks to human health
Marine litter can pose significant risks to human health and is considered a public health issue, both as beached litter or circulating in coastal waters
Beached marine litter such as broken glass, medical waste, fishing line, and discarded syringes can harm beach users as well as the risks associated with the leaching of poisonous chemicals.
Findings revealed that In the United Kingdom, between 1988 and 1991, four per cent of injuries by needles reported to the Public Health Laboratory Service (PHLS) in the Southwest of England were sustained on the beach.
Sewage related debris is particularly harmful and is considered a potential biohazard and may act as a vector for viruses and bacteria.
Sewage related litter
One of the main sources of SRL is from combined sewage overflows and constitutes sanitary products such as nappies, baby wipes, condoms, tampon applicators and needles.
In Lagos alone, Dr Ayodeji Olufowobi said, not less than 20million sanitary items are deposited in the toilets per year.
“SRL may present serious water quality concerns as with the presence of these items there is increased risk of bacterial (e.g. E. coli) and viral contamination of surrounding coastal waters. Indeed consumption of or contact with contaminated water can pose a risk of contracting hepatitis, cholera, typhoid, diarrhea, bacillary dysentery and skin rashes. Marine litter can also pose a serious threat to recreational users, particularly for swimmers, snorkelers and divers who can become entangled in submerged or floating debris, such as fishing nets and ropes.,” Olufowobi said.
Hazards to vessels, ferries and trawlers
The Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Ms Hadiza Bala Usman said that marine litter poses navigational hazards to all kinds of vessels such as submarines, passenger ferries, fishing trawlers and can result in loss of life.
The major risks to navigation from marine litter mostly during poor weather conditions, according to Usman include:
- fouling and entanglement of a vessel’s propeller in derelict fishing gear: reducing stability and the ability to manoeuvre;
- blockage of water intakes by plastic bags;
- subsurface debris can foul anchors and equipment deployed from trawlers and research vessels;
- collisions can damage a vessel’s propeller shaft seal;
- recovery procedures which require divers increases risk of personal injury
“Apart from the normal navigational hazards by pleasure craft and commercial ships, the same risks also apply to military activities which are active in the marine, submarine and inter-littoral zones. Marine litter can disturb the physical environment, affecting the ability to detect certain phenomena many of which are important to the Navy’s defence capability,” she said.
Threats to fishermen
A boat operator and fisherman in Ojo Area of Lagos, Mr Sunday Davies said they are are also facing threat from marine litter. Threats to fishermen, according to Davies include the snagging of fishing gear on marine litter, increasing the risk of capsize, and in some circumstances resulting in loss of life of some of their members.
“Remediation and preventative measures are only available for Captains of big vessels and trawler through the deployment of surveillance equipment by NIMASA to identify the location of lost objects; the notification to mariners of the location of floating or sunken containers, cargo or debris; the emergency towing of floating containers; and the transfer of cargo from a stricken vessel, all of which are dependent on the management of the agency,” Davies said.
Impact of marine litter to Nigerian economy
“Marine litter has a fast, direct and indirect impact upon the Nigerian economy. For several years policy makers and communities have experienced the problem of marine litter on beaches, waterways, bays and ports and the subsequent impacts on a range of economic activities.
“For instance, costs for cleaning operations or lost fishing revenue from entanglement are still captured in traditional economic calculations but the economic implications of degraded ecosystem services are still difficult to value,” said a ship owner Mr Fola Badmus.
Mandate given to the marshals
Peterside has directed the marshals to go to the ports, coastlines and littoral communities and enlighten them on the need to maintain cleaner oceans; enjoined them to also keep watch and ensure that the right thing is done so that the eco system can be preserved. He further warned that the agency will not condone indiscriminate dumping of waste at sea.
What stakeholders say
A university don and maritime lawyer, Mr. Dipo Alaka, said marine litter directly impacts on ocean life, marine habitats, human health, and navigational safety with potential impacts on socio-economic development of nations.
This, he said, necessitated the need for NIMASA to collaborate with UNEP Global Partnership Action (GPA) in 2015 to carry out a scientific study on marine litter challenge in Nigeria, thereby culminating to the development of the national action plan on marine litter and its campaign concept.
Also speaking, a marine environment expert and the President of the Waste Management Society of Nigeria, Professor Osinbajo Oladele, applauded the initiative and described NIMASA as a beacon of hope to the rest of Africa. He stated further that there is the need for inter-generational equity of our resources, which means the survival of the eco system is dependent on this present generation as it will affect the future generation.
“The environment is not a gift from our parents, but a loan from our children. We must therefore do all we can to preserve it”, Prof. Osinbajo said.
Employment generation
The issue of marine litters, stakeholders say, has always been a challenge of the nation’s Maritime sector, and that is why Peterside came up with the strategy of employing locals as marine litter marshals to serve as watchdog around their areas.
Stakeholders say the strategy is worth emulating. Apart from tackling unemployment, it gives youths a sense of belonging as stakeholders in their environment. The initiative is also seen as part of efforts to tackle youth restiveness in the riverine areas, which hitherto was a challenge for the Federal Government.
Findings revealed that a number of youths are in the books of NIMASA serving as marine litter marshals in their respective domains.
Convention on the prevention of
marine pollution
It may be recalled that the Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter 1972, commonly called the “London Convention” and also abbreviated as Marine Dumping, is an agreement to control pollution of the sea by dumping and to encourage regional agreements supplementary to the Convention. It covers the deliberate disposal at sea of wastes or other matter from vessels, aircraft, and platforms.
80 % of marine pollution originates
on land
According to global statistics, about 80 per cent of marine pollution originates on land. To address this, strong coordinated action is needed. UN has championed a course for the Global Programme of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-based activities, which NIMASA has also keyed into in order to establish and strengthen voluntary and a multi-stakeholder partnerships on nutrient pollution, marine litter and water wastes.
That is why the coordinator of the project and Deputy Director, Marine and Environment Management of NIMASA, Dr. (Mrs.) Felicia Mogo, said that the agency embarked on the initiative to ensure proper solid waste management and in particular prevent materials like plastic waste and other dangerous items from reaching the waters.
NIMASA as the agency of government responsible for marine environment
NIMASA as the agency of government responsible for marine environment management in its continuous quest to reposition the Nigerian maritime sector in line with global best practices has taken the step to engage some young Nigerians as marine litter marshals who are expected to ensure that the oceans are kept clean and safe.
Marine litter as a global issue
A former member of the House of Representative, Mr Motif Akinderu Fatai said the Federal Government through the Ministry of Transportation and NIMASA must strengthen their joint measures to combat marine litter and coordinate its future action plan.
“We need a broad-based package of measures and the creative strength of the government and the civil society to cope with the amounts of litter in our oceans. Which was exactly why NIMASA constituted the Marshall.
“We need a clean marine environment, and this means we must prevent more waste entering the oceans, and wherever possible, remove more of the litter which is already present.
“Most of the marine litter consists of plastics, which makes it a problem of our own doing, in what we produce, buy and how we consume. We must pay more attention to how we deal with plastics. We need close cooperation at local, federal, national,regional and level to prevent more litter from entering our oceans.
Findings revealed that between 100 and 140 million tonnes of marine litter exist worldwide. The main input apart from plastic are firstly maritime activities, and fishery and shipping in particular, and secondly, onshore tourism and leisure-time activities. The major offshore source is fishery. Up to 10,000 gillnets are thought to be lost in the Baltic Sea every year, and these ghost nets can go on “fishing” for years and years.
What needs to be done
The immediate past President of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Prince Olayiwola Shittu, said NIMASA must ensure that plastics makers in the country are working with the agency, NGOs and other public and private sector actors in order to develop and pilot systemic interventions that will focus resources where they can have the most immediate and significant impact in areas and economies where the most waste enters the ocean.
Those that NIMASA must involve
in its campaign
The discussion by NIMASA on marine litter, Animasahun said, must include: representatives of the fishing and shipping industries, the plastics industry, wastewater management, cosmetics and tyre production, retail trade, science, federal, state and local government authorities and politicians, the tourism industry, environmental associations and artists among others.
The aims of the discussion, stakeholders said, must include ensuring that fishing gear such as nets are also not discarded at sea.
NIMASA to ensure less plastic in the ocean
Plastics are essential to modern life. Plastics can enhance quality of life in ways that other materials cannot. Plastics can help prolong the freshness of food. They can help shield and transport sterilized medical supplies. They can meet resource needs and reduce waste, energy use, and emissions.
One can responsibly enjoy the benefits of plastics while also properly disposing or recycling used plastics. (The same goes for all types of materials that make up marine litter.)
A recent study found that the amount of plastic waste entering the ocean from land each year exceeds 4.8 million tonnes, and may be as high as 12.7 Mt The quantities of plastic entering the ocean are growing rapidly with the potential for cumulative inputs of plastic waste into the ocean as high as 250 Mt by 2025. Discharges of plastic are spread around the globe from the 192 countries with coastal borders, but 20 countries account for 83 per cent of the mismanaged plastic waste available to enter the ocean. Of course, better marine litter prevention and ocean conservancy begins with better understanding of the root causes of ocean pollution.
Effects of marine litter:
Investigation has shown that marine litter causes marine environmental, economic, health and aesthetic problems, including possible transfer of toxic substances and invasive species, destruction of marine habitats and loss of biodiversity. It also threatens marine life through entanglement, suffocation and ingestion as well as poses a risk to human health and life hence, the need to find solutions to it.
Solutions to the problem:
“Solutions to this endemic problem must include reduction, reuse, increased recycling, tough litter abatement laws, and well-run municipal waste management systems.
“A voluntary commitment by the retail sector to reduce the use of plastic bags, in addition to a new recycling law with higher quotas for plastic waste, would also ensure the prevention of plastic waste in the oceans and seas,” Shittu said.
Across the globe, findings revealed that about 355 plastics industry partnerships and projects are underway, planned, or completed in communities.
Working in partnership, industry, NGOs and the national governments, the United Nations (UN) has concluded that good prevention and waste management is the key to keeping marine litter out of our waters, oceans and seas.