Severe marine plastic pollution in tourism countries
A clean beach full of plastic waste. The picturesque river is blocked waste and disposed of objects. These are not the sights you saw in the travel envelope.
However, for many countries in the world that rely on tourism to support their gross domestic product, these countries often become tourist destinations.
Professor Alistair McIlgorm of the Australian Centre for Marine Resources and Security (ANCORS) at Wollongong University said that marine pollution is becoming an increasingly urgent problem in African coastal areas such as Tanzania and Zanzibar, which rely on tourism to promote local and national economies.
Professor McIlgorm was the first to witness the cost of environmental degradation caused by plastic pollution in the East African Ocean as lead researcher and consultant in a recent World Bank study. He said, like all plastic pollution, prevention is better than cure.
The study was conducted by Professor McIlgorm and World Bank environmental expert Dr. Xie Jian. Last month, the World Bank published a report entitled "The cost of environmental degradation caused by plastic pollution in selected coastal areas of the United Republic of Tanzania".
The World Bank study aims to measure the environmental costs of marine plastic pollution at two sites in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania and Zanzibar Islands by assessing the economic impact on fisheries, aquaculture, tourism, health and marine ecosystems.
The World Bank is one of the world's largest sources of financing and knowledge for developing countries. ANCORS is the only university-based interdisciplinary centre in the Southern Hemisphere dedicated to providing education and training in professional research, advice, maritime law and policy, maritime security and marine resource management.
This is the first similar study to determine the cost of environmental degradation caused by plastic pollution from the sea.
Professor McIlgorm said: "The project found that 2019. In 2008, the measurable impact of these two sites amounted to USD 28 million, of which two thirds were borne by the tourism industry.
Zanzibar is a popular tourist destination. The project uses the results of tourism surveys to show that marine plastic pollution affects tourists' perception of about $13.7 million from the destination. The study has made significant progress in assessing the concrete impact of plastics on the marine industry and the environment.
The report showed that both Tanzania and Zanzibar have experienced significant population growth and urbanisation in recent years, followed by an increase in demand for plastic products. However, Professor McIlgorm said that, like most people on the African continent and even in the world, there is no infrastructure to support the management of these plastic mountains.
Maintaining a healthy sea and using resources responsibly is part of the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the core of a healthy future for East African countries and regions.
Although the study focuses on Tanzania and Zanzibar, this problem is being solved by countless countries in the world that rely on tourism.
Professor McIlgorm said: "We can take immediate action, such as cleaning beaches during the tourist season, but in the long term the challenge is to improve the efficiency of waste management systems.
Plastic waste leakage has polluted beaches and marine ecosystems and caused economic damage to the local economy. Globally, only 10% of plastic waste is recycled and 14% incinerated. The rest is either buried or left unattended, providing easy access to waterways and oceans.
Although this study focuses on the East African coast, Professor McIlgorm said there is some experience that can be applied globally in relation to the cost of marine plastic pollution to the city or national economy, as well as the need to find solutions to this pressing global problem.
Professor McIlgorm said: "One of the biggest problems in Tanzania and Zanzibar and many other developing countries is the removal of plastic before entering the sea.
However, Dar es Salaam, one of Africa's fastest growing cities, requires significant efforts to improve solid waste management for all plastic waste. In this area, governments, industries and NGOs can work together to promote extended producer responsibility.
Marine plastic pollution in different parts of the world has caused enormous costs to the economy and the environment, but these costs can be avoided. Preventing these costs can restore economic benefits, especially in regions heavily dependent on tourism, and also help restore the health of our precious oceans.
Professor David Currow, Vice President and Vice President of UOW (Research and Sustainable Future), said this study reflects the university's commitment to preserving the coastal and marine environment for future generations.
Professor Currow said: "I congratulate Professor McIlgorm and the World Bank PROBLE on this important study which shows the impact of marine plastic pollution on countries that rely on tourism to preserve their citizens' livelihoods and economies.
Marine plastic pollution is an absolute threat to our environment, and combating it is essential to create a healthy and sustainable sea for our future.
