Dr Moses Amweelo
A brief overview of the historical development of pollution legislation is useful because many trainees will be familiar with the previous convention dealing with the prevention of pollution from oil, and may become confused when instructed in a new regime, which is not only different from the previous one, but also addresses other forms of pollution.
A few years ago, the pollution of the world’s oceans has become a matter of increasing international concern. Most of this pollution comes from land-based sources and includes the by-products of industry, runoff from agricultural pesticides and herbicides, and effluents discharged from urban areas. Industrial products may reach the sea through rivers, or as a result of wilful dumping from ships. Oil is also introduced into the sea through exploration and exploitation activities, as well as through natural seepage. Nevertheless, a very significant amount of pollution is caused by shipping and maritime activities generally.
The substances involved vary enormously in the quantities transported, and in the potential to harm the marine environment. In tonnage terms, the most important pollutant resulting from shipping operations is oil. The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) of the United States estimated in 1980 that as much as 3.54 million tonnes of oil entered the sea every year, some 1.5 million tonnes of which resulted from the transport of oil by sea; the remainder came from land-based activities and included industrial wastes, urban runoff and natural seepage. The Namibian government (GRN) is conscious of the need to preserve and protect human health and the natural environment from the ever-present risk of oil and chemical pollution in the Namibian marine environment. GRN recognises that this can,
to a large degree, be posed by shipping and offshore oil and gas exploration operations in
the coastal and offshore environments, including vessels, platforms, pipelines, ports and oil and chemical handling facilities, and is mindful of the importance of precautionary measures and prevention in avoiding marine pollution in the first instance, as well as that, in the event of an oil or chemical pollution incident, prompt and effective action is essential in order to minimise the damage which may result from such an incident.
GRN recognises that the current funding model for oil and chemical pollution management in Namibia is neither sufficient nor sustainable as it places a burden on the taxpayer, who does not create the risk. The coast of South Africa’s Kwazulu-Natal province looks like it was pulled from a postcard, with wide, sandy beaches stretching for some 600 kilometres. International and local tourists flock here in normal times, drawn to the warm Indian Ocean waters for surfing, relaxation and glimpses of spectacular wildlife, like loggerhead turtles. But heavy rains can transform this beautiful coast in a flash. Downpours accelerate the flow of polluted upstream rivers, sending their litter cascading into the sea, including around the city of Durban. After a storm, heaps of plastic bags and bottles pile up on Durban’s shores, with the current transporting some rubbish hundreds of kilometres down the coast.
World oil consumption in 1987 was just over 61 million barrels per day – less than the record 64 million barrels of 1979, but still a substantial increase on the 31 million barrels consumed daily in 1965, but world oil consumption is at a current level of 94.09 million, up from 88.75 million one year ago.
This is a change of 6.02% from one year ago. Ocean pollution is a significant environmental issue that poses a serious threat to the health and well-being of our planet, and it can account for 70% of the surface of planet Earth, and play a pivotal role in the health of our ecosystem – including land-dwelling animals like ourselves.
The consequences of ocean pollution are far-reaching: ocean pollution is now tied to negative health outcomes in human health and marine ecosystems. Let’s do a deep dive (pun intended) into exactly what ocean pollution is, what causes ocean pollution, the effects of ocean pollution and solutions for ocean pollution.
Ocean pollution – also called marine pollution – is a mixture of both chemical contamination and trash.
The act of ocean pollution
occurs when chemicals and trash are either washed, blown or intentionally dumped into the ocean.
A much greater quantity of oil enters the sea as a result of normal tanker operations, usually associated with the cleaning of cargo residues, which takes place when the ship is returning from
the port of discharge to take on another cargo of oil, and it affects the marine environment in a number of ways.
It blankets the surface, interfering with the oxygen exchange between the sea and the atmosphere; its heavier constituents blanket the seabed, interfering with the growth of marine life; many of its constituent elements are toxic, and can enter the food chain; and it interferes with the recreational uses of beaches. Furthermore, oil may enter seawater distilling inlets and it may be deposited on tidal mudflats, again with detrimental results. In conclusion, oil from machinery spaces could be discharged within prohibited zones, provided this was done as far as possible from land.
*Dr Moses Amweelo is a former minister of works, transport and communication. He earned a doctorate in Technical Science, Industrial Engineering and Management from the International Transport Academy (St Petersburg, Russia).