shippingposition
  • Home
  • News
  • Editorial
    • Vox Pop
  • Maritime safety
  • Oil and Gas
  • Personality
  • Health
No Result
View All Result
shippingposition

Home » Plastic Pollution: Lagos Recyclers Seek Protection Of Marine Ecosystem

Plastic Pollution: Lagos Recyclers Seek Protection Of Marine Ecosystem

by Joshua
September 25, 2023
in Maritime safety

The Lagos Recyclers Association (LAGRA) has called on individuals, governments and corporate bodies to take responsibility for reducing waste, plastic pollution, and safeguarding the health and sustainability of the marine ecosystems.

President of the association, Dr Femi Idowu-Adegoke, made the call on Wednesday during the 2nd Annual Lagos Recyclers Conference and Exhibition with the theme: ‘Life Under Water’.

Idowu-Adegoke said it was pertinent to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG 14) to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development.

According to him, healthy oceans and seas are essential to our existence as they cover 70 per cent of our planet, make up 97 per cent of earth’s water and we rely on them for food, energy, and water.

He noted that oceans and coastal areas are extremely vulnerable to environmental degradation, overfishing, climate change and pollution.

“Aquatic ecosystems in Nigeria are diverse including freshwater, brackish and coastal waters as well as marine ecosystems.

“They support a diversity of animal species which serve as food for man and support ecosystem functioning.

“These ecosystems provide significant services to man including transport, abstraction of water for domestic and industrial use, power generation, reservoir of hydrocarbon deposits, and food security, among others.

“However, the pollution of these ecosystems has been reported by many researchers over the years and remains the subject of studies to date.

“Today, the world is producing 20 times more plastics than 40 years ago. This means that each year more than 8 million tonnes of plastic end up in the oceans, wreaking havoc on marine wildlife, fisheries, tourism and marine ecosystems.

“Only less than 14 per cent of all plastic is recyclable.

“It is time someone came up with an innovation or technology to deal with the remaining 86 per cent which can create $80 billion to $120 billion in revenues, according to a recent report by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation,” he said.

The LAGRA president urged everyone to protect and ensure the sustainable use of oceans by intentionally reducing marine pollution and ocean acidification, ending overfishing and conserving marine and coastal ecosystems.

“Increasing levels of debris in the world’s oceans are also having a major environmental and economic impact.

“Oceans are now clogged with plastics, especially discarded fishing gear and single-use plastics.

“Stop using single-use plastic bags. Usage and wrong disposal of plastic is a major cause of marine pollution.

“It has been said that by 2050 we will have more plastics in the oceans than fish, according to the United Nations Environment Report.

“And 99 per cent of all seabirds will have ingested plastic by 2050, if nothing is done to reverse the trend,” Idowu-Adegoke said.

Also, Mrs Belinda Odeneye, a retired Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, underscored the importance of the conference to discuss the state of the ocean and waterways.

Odeneye said that the oceans and waterways are facing unprecedented threats and challenges including climate change, overfishing, and all kinds of pollution.

“Plastic pollution has reached an alarming level and our oceans are choking. Rising sea levels, ocean acidification and extreme weather events are disrupting marine ecosystems and coastal communities.

“We must accelerate our efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, transit to clean energy sources and protect the resilience of our coastal areas,” she said.

She added that overfishing remained a critical concern with many fish stocks on the brink of collapse and extinction.

Addressing this, Odeneye said, required sustainable fishery management and protection of critical marine habitat to ensure the long-term health of our oceans and the livelihood of coastal communities.

“On our part, we should commit to taking the lead and be part of the solutions to these challenges. We must reduce plastic consumption and embrace sustainable alternatives.

“We must support initiatives and policies that promote clean energy and reduce carbon emissions, advocate sustainable fishing practices, responsible seafood consumption and restore critical marine habitat.

“Government agencies, businesses, and civil societies must collaborate to develop and implement policies, prioritise scientific research, innovation and technologies that safeguard our oceans and waterways,” she said.

Mrs Toyin Oguntola, Assistant Director, Waste Management Division, Sanitation Services, Lagos Ministry of Environment, said the ministry was working towards ensuring an effective waste management system by intensifying awareness campaigns on the benefits of recycling.

Mrs Jirinsola Ladipo-Okubanjo, Head, Recycling, Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), said that protecting the environment was a collective responsibility by adopting proper waste management practices.

She said individuals must learn to sort their wastes from source to ensure proper waste disposal and promote recycling for a sustainable environment.

 

 


Related Posts

WEEKLY GLOBAL MARINE INCIDENTS

July 7, 2025
Shippers’ Council Seeks Quick Resolution Of Legal, Operational Issues At Kaduna Dry Port

Regulations, Strict Enforcement Will Check Boat Mishaps, Says NSC Boss

July 7, 2025
World Shipping Council Says 576 Containers Lost At Sea In 2024—Official

World Shipping Council Says 576 Containers Lost At Sea In 2024—Official

July 7, 2025
Western Naval Command Hosts Tripartite Meeting On Fishing Security And Operations

Western Naval Command Hosts Tripartite Meeting On Fishing Security And Operations

July 7, 2025

Latest News

NPA Bags NASS PAC Transparency Award

NPA Bags NASS PAC Transparency Award

July 12, 2025

Nigeria Customs Says Claim Of Form ‘M’ Migration Charges False

CRFFN Showcases Reform Milestones, Dismisses Court Ruling Misinterpretation

NCMDLCA Faction Distances Self from Amiwero’s Court Action, Backs CRFFN on POF Collection

Customs Intercepts ₦9.2bn Worth of Fake Bedroom Booster, Others

Customs, NAFDAC Inaugurate Implementation Committee for 2024 MoU

Nigeria Customs Intercepts Container with Over 10,000 Donkey Genitals

Senate Hails Adeniyi’s Election as WCO Council Chair, Says It’s  a Major Win for Nigeria’s Global Trade Leadership

Oyetola Launches Door-to-Door’ Diplomacy for Nigeria’s IMO Council Bid

FG Urged To Link Warri-Itakpe Rail To Inland Ports, Road Networks

Red Sea Operation Rescues 4 More From Cargo Ship Sunk By Houthis

Shippers’ Council Set to Establish Border Information Centre at Idiroko, Bolster Trade Efficiency

kindly like our Facebook page

Health

Contraceptive Pills Can’t Cause Cervical Cancer – Expert
Health

Contraceptive Pills Can’t Cause Cervical Cancer – Expert

June 30, 2025

Mrs Roseline Akinlabi, Adolescent and Youth Sexual Reproductive Health Desk Officer, Osun Primary Healthcare Board, says contraceptive pills cannot cause...

ONIONS: The Good Old Healing Vegetable

KNOW YOUR BODY PARTS: The Liver

June 16, 2025
ONIONS: The Good Old Healing Vegetable

ONIONS: The Good Old Healing Vegetable

June 16, 2025
Why Prostate Disorder Cases Are Increasing Among Nigerian Men – Experts

Why Prostate Disorder Cases Are Increasing Among Nigerian Men – Experts

June 1, 2025
20m Nigerians Live With Mental Health Issues, Says WHO

20m Nigerians Live With Mental Health Issues, Says WHO

June 1, 2025
Health Facts You Didn’t Know

How Your Habit Affects Fertility

May 19, 2025
Fruits For Raining Season

Fruits For Raining Season

May 19, 2025
See Mental Illness Like Other Treatable Diseases – Says Suicide Survivor

Health Facts You Didn’t Know

May 19, 2025
Alligator Pepper: Benefits, FAQ, Side Effects, & Warning

Alligator Pepper: Benefits, FAQ, Side Effects, & Warning

April 28, 2025
Water And Health: The Relationship That Helps Life

Water And Health: The Relationship That Helps Life

April 28, 2025

© 2021 Shippingposition

Navigate Site

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sitemap
  • Terms

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Coast To Coast
  • Oil and Gas
  • Maritime Education
  • The Terminals
  • Maritime safety

© 2021 Shippingposition