Plastics at sea on the rise
It would be recalled that during the pre-industrial era, activities of mankind was minimal. But with the advent of industrialization, coupled with scientific and technological achievements, the negative impact of man’s exploitative activities on the environment is alarming. This is currently threatening the survival of mankind. It has been observed that the waste management systems of some emerging economies including Nigeria cannot keep up with the pace at which wastes are being generated due to industrial activities. The contribution of these industrial wastes globally to marine debris is enormous.
Environmentalists have affirmed that a relationship exists between mankind and his environment. The environment “is the physical entity and resources of planet earth outside of man and supporting the existence of mankind.” It includes all living and non-living things on the surface, sub-surface and the atmosphere. The survival of people depends largely on the maintenance and sustenance of this relationship.
Globally, man’s activities are causing problems such as global warming, reduction of natural biodiversity through over exploitation and destruction of marine resources through pollution. Locally, Nigeria is faced with various environmental-related problems which include air and water pollution, coastal and marine pollution, as well as weak waste management system. Consequently, the environment is threatened and Nigerians especially those in coastal states need to urgently arrest and renovate the endangered environment.
It is embarrassing to see some Nigerians particularly those residing in Lagos and other coastal states- Delta, Cross River, and Rivers amongst others, drop food scraps, papers, plastics, nylon bags, and empty cans on streets. These are biodegradable and non-biodegradable materials that destroy the environment in which we all live. This negative attitude which is fast becoming a culture shows the level of ignorance demonstrated by some Nigerians about the importance of the environment to their survival.
The rainy season has started in Nigeria and it is severe in coastal states. Nigeria is blessed with numerous natural harbours and deep-water estuaries. When there is rainfall, human-created wastes on the streets which could not be effectively managed are swept into the oceans by flood. Industries established along the coasts deliberately dispose their wastes in harbour. These ugly incidents have been on for several years.
The volume of human-created wastes within Nigerian waters is enormous and this requires enforcement of existing laws on environmental pollution. This is because there is an ever-increasing coastal and riverine pollution through oil spills, dumping of toxic wastes, unwholesome practices by ships off our coast coupled with our own carefree attitude towards a healthy marine environment.
Since the 1970s, researchers have been studying how to reduce threats posed by thousands of tons of trash to marine ecosystems. Available data in a report published by the World Economic Reform shows that “the world oceans may have more plastics than fish by the year 2050.” The study which was released sometime in the year 2016 found that a “whooping 32 percent of all plastic packaging escapes collective system and finds its ways into natural ecosystems including the oceans.”
Currently, oceanographers say that 8 million tons of plastics are likely to end up in the oceans each year. This, according to statistics, is equal to a dump truck in plastic rubbish every minute of the year. Thus, for countries whose citizens get their primary livelihood or protein from the oceans, the fish that may be available for eating has ingested plastics. These fish get entangled in it, and may die of stomach full of plastics.
Recently, plastic debris was found in the stomach of the fish I picked for pepper soup at a “point and kill” joint in Lagos. It was the same experience when I worked in Calabar as we found plastic and textile fibres in a few of the tilapia to be cooked. Researchers have found plastics in the stomachs of whales, fish and other marine animals. Some artisanal fishermen in Lagos who I discussed with have complained of catching fish with plastics in their stomachs. There are several factors that impose limitations on the nation’s drive to guard its coastal waters and the ports against pollution.
Let us start with culture. It has been observed that most Nigerians have now developed apathy and disregard for a healthy environment and indeed the nation’s coastal water by dumping of refuse and other hazardous wastes into the waters. Since culture is an integral part of the society, we must imbibe a culture that is focused towards ensuring a healthy and clean coastal waters and ports in various parts of the country. The neglect of the cultural dimension to a healthy environment will impair the nation’s economic development.
Another limitation is that the nation is not technologically advanced. The technology referred to here is not that which is a factor of production. Rather, Technology is to be seen as the nation’s organized capacity for actively controlling and altering pollution of our coastal waters and its devastating effects within the maritime environment in the interest of mankind. It is estimated that to clean one percent of the North Pacific will require 68 ships an entire year. Most developed and developing nations cannot afford these resources considering the numerous maritime security challenges at sea.
What can the nation do? The only cheaper and cost-effective option is to prevent the plastics and other debris from polluting our streets and coastal waters. Information sharing among Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), state and federal environmental agencies, including Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), is very key. This may be an opportunity to maintain marine environmental watch by: preventing the discharge of oil and other chemicals, ensuring quick and effective detection of discharges, coordinating spill response, and instilling a maritime environmental discipline in all users of our coastal waters. Non-Governmental Organizations and private organizations should also participate in restoring the environment. As Nigerians, we must endeavour to keep our environment clean and free of pollution.
MA Johnson