SCAN Laments Marine Debris Littered In The Waterways

 By Stella Okocha 

Harboursandport.com: Lagos - June 27,2025: The Shipping Correspondents' Association Of Nigeria, SCAN, has called on the Federal Government to urgently put in place measures to address the crisis of marine debris and its threat to the maritime industry, marine ecosystems, and coastal communities.

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This appeal was made by the SCAN President, Moses Ebosele, at the 2025 SCAN summit titled: Marine Debris: The Danger Ahead, which held on the 26th of June 2025 at Rockview Hotel, Apapa.

He said that the summit's aim was to facilitate national dialogue, share knowledge, and build collaborative strategies to combat marine debris and other forms of marine pollution. 

"The growing prevalence of marine debris is not just an environmental issue; it is a socioeconomic threat that can undermine the very foundations of our maritime industry and coastal communities. Let me also use this opportunity to urge the Ministry of Marine and Blue economy and relevant agencies to bring to the front burner and put modalities in place to tackle issue of marine debris."

The keynote speaker Captain Olajide Olugunwa, who is a Master Mariner and Second Vice President of the Nigeria Association of Master Mariner, NAMM, while delivering his speech, noted that It was both a privilege and a duty to address the growing urgency and national significance of the topic, saying that though the issue might not capture headlines as swiftly as piracy or oil theft, but beneath its deceptively passive label lies a real and mounting threat to Nigeria’s maritime economy, environmental integrity, public health, and future generations.

Olugunwa further noted that from decades of experience navigating International and Nigerian waters, handling emergencies caused by submerged debris, and watching with alarm the deterioration of the marine ecosystem; hence he highlighted some of the dangers marine operators and user face due to the debris.

The list which includes operational menace, which causes Seafarers and Marine Operators to be in harm’s way, damage of equipments, loss of time and earnings, Marine Wildlife strangulation and death , threat to small craft and local transport, coastal degradation and tourism loss, Broader environmental, public health, and Reputational damage, just to mention a few.

However, he also offered necessary solutions like policies and regulations on National Marine Debris Act and mandatory debris management plans for all ports and operators, enforcement and sanctions, public engagements and awareness e.t.c

He concluded by appealing that this event should be a turning point where words become policy, and policy becomes practice, and regulatory agencies should embrace enforcement without favoritism.

Also speaking at the event was the Managing Director of the Nigerian Port Authority, NPA, Abubakar Dantsoho, represented by Capt Femi Oyewole - principal manager Marine of NPA, who appreciated the organizers, environmental advocates, and other maritime operators in addressing the urgent and growing crisis of Marine debris along Nigeria's coastline and within our port environments

He emphasized that it is important that stakeholders understand what Marine Debris is. and it refers to any persistent, manufactured, or processed solid material discarded, disposed of, or abandoned in the marine and coastal environment; Which majorly includes items like metais, glass, textiles, fishing gear, and other synthetic materials, which do not biodegrade easily.

"As custodians of Nigeria's seaports, the NPA is deeply vested in advancing national and global efforts to combat marine litter and preserve the integrity of our marine ecosystem. This presentation outlines our strategic actions, recent initiatives, challenges encountered, and our vision for a collaborative and sustainable future."

"NPA operates and regulates Port Reception Facilities at all major ports in Nigeria, ensuring full compliance with the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL 73/78), particularly Annex V which addresses garbage disposal from ships calling at the Ports Authority's Four Pilotage Districts: Lagos, Delta, Bonny/Port Harcourt and Calabar Pilotage Districts.".

He added that due to NPA's mandate and strategic actions against marine debris, the environment department has lead the efforts to institutionalize sustainable port operations through several policies and interventions specifically aimed at addressing marine debris.