Western Marine Science Association (WIOMSA)

National Overview and Assessment on Marine Litter Related Activities in

By Said Ahamada

( June 2007)

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The problem of marine litter is not well studied in the Western Indian Ocean Region while it is obviously affecting the main urban centers. To address this gap, UNEP has developed a series of regional actions being developed in the Regional Seas Conventions and Action Plans including Nairobi Convention and East Africa.

The Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA) has been contracted by the UNEP/ Regional Seas programme to coordinate the assessment of the marine litter problem in the WIO region through regional and national consultants. The Nairobi Convention Secretariat, and the UNEP/GEF project “Addressing Land-based Activities in the Western Indian Ocean are also the key partners in this initiative.

This assessment should the basis for the formulation of strategies for sustainable management of marine litter in the Western Indian Ocean Region and particularly in Comoros, Madagascar, Seychelles, Mauritius, Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique and South Africa. The Comoros islands are highlu vulnerable to this marin litter problem and marine pollution management is considered as major priority in the national environment policy. The assessment would also contribute to the development of an Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis (TDA) and Strategic Action Plan (SAP) to be developed under the auspices of the WIO-LaB Project.

The aim of this assessment is to : - compile information on the current status of the marine litter problem in the Comoros - Assess, review and identify gaps and needs in coverage of marine litter management - Identify national priorities and recommend actions for problems solving

PDF Creator - PDF4Free v2.0 http://www.pdf4free.com 1. THE CURRENT STATUS OF MARINE LITTER / DEBRIS

a) Origin, Nature and Quantity

Because of the lack of treatment and storing space within very small islands, all waste are thrown on the coastal zone (where is concentrated the majority of the population) and end to the sea. The suspension of solid litter is often sighted on the beaches and coral reefs. The problem of marine litter is then equivalent to the general solid waste problem on the islands.

The marine litter mainly comes from the: - Houses: house machines as TV, paints, batteries, plastics… - Hospital: chemicals, bottles, syringes, human organs... - Industries: oil, metal machine as cars - Hotels: the waste of hotels are sites on the coastal zone without any tratment - Sinks as shipwrecks: Masiwa northern , Tertenis southern Grande Comore, Sambia south west Moheli, Mbwangoma north Moheli , Kamaralkuwet in - Rivers : woods, sand…

About 35 000 tones of solid waste are produced in the capital city of Moroni. Other big cities as Mutsamudu, , , , , Wani and are also seriously affected by this high quantity of not treated litter. By considering that every inhabitant produce about 300 kg of waste we can estimate about 60 000 tones for the hall Comoros in our days.

PDF Creator - PDF4Free v2.0 http://www.pdf4free.com The quantities per type of waste are considered as following:

Nature litter Comoros (t/year) House waste 28 835 Oil 10 0000 litrer/year Source : Naoildine, 1999

Nature O.M. (%) Fermentescibles 57 Papers 3.5 Plastic 3 Wood 0.5 Glasses 0.05 Metal 1 Others 35 Source : J. Grelot, 1996

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The most noticed impacts of marine litter are: - Threats on marine habitats mainly coral reefs and associated ecosystems ( sea grass, mangroves, beaches…) and fauna ( sea turtles, fishes…)

- The Water quality in beaches is degraded and this constitute a public health problem (Said Hassane, 1996 and Haoi Halidi 1998)

PDF Creator - PDF4Free v2.0 http://www.pdf4free.com 2. Current initiatives to reduce/prevent marine litter

a) Legal aspects

Ø The Environment management Act (and amendments) N°94-018 Ø Presidential decree 01- 052 / CE on 19 april2001 on environmental impact assessment

b) Institutional aspects

The main institutions involved in Marine litter problem are: Ø The control and regulation unit at the national directorate of environment Ø The regional environment directorate in each Islands Ø The national and regional directorate of health Ø Establishment of municipalities in the hall national territories in process Ø NGOs and CBOs Ø Port Authorities

c) Policies, programs and projects

- National Environment policy, Ministry of Environment, 1993 - National Environment action Plan, Ministry of Environment, 1995 - National Plan for persistent organic pollutant by the Ministry of Environment, June 2007 - Regional Coastal zone management Program ( 1996-2000) - Litter management project of the Moroni Capital City with Veolia France and the Moroni Municipality ( 2007) - Clean up the World, every 22 September - TV and Radio Programs by the Ulanga Associations for public awareness

PDF Creator - PDF4Free v2.0 http://www.pdf4free.com 3. Conclusions and Recommendations

Several solid waste developed in general have been carried out in many localities of the Union of Comoros. Du to the insularity of the Comoros and the strong concentration of the population ( about 75%) on the coastal area, those reports are very relevant to our study.

However there is no specific study carried out on marine litter of the Comoros. It is indeed obvious that there is no existing systematic marine litter assessment based on standard methods. Information mainly provide from those general litter report and underwater observation from the author. This study is a key tool for gathering the sparse information, synthesize it and identify the gaps.

The management of Marine litter is however a higher priority in the national environment policy. Different initiatives have been carried out by the local communities through CBOs, NGO, and projects funded mainly by the European Union and UNDP. Often they did does not benefit local and national ownership Those efforts also lacks qualified appropriate human resources, equipment, specialized monitoring public institution and sustainable funding mechanisms. Conflicts between local communities and the central or regional governments closed to the existing waste depository du to the lack of systematic sort out, recycling, treatment, proliferation of pathogens vectors have severely worsen the situation.

Its is then urgent to develop national action plan for marine litter management. This should emphasize the need for : - Subcontracting specialized international well equipped society as Actif Dubai and Veolia France - Capacities building through strong local government involvement, specialized agencies establishment, training of qualified technicians, - Identifying and establishing sustainable participatory funding mechanisms. - EIA Law enforcement - Set up of a national clean up the sea day - Defining pollution norm taking into account the international ones - Set up of a marine laboratory including marine pollution monitoring activity

A participatory approach with strong involvement of local administrations as the new established municipality, NGOs and CBOs seems to be the best way forward.

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- DGE ( 1993). Status of the Environment of Comoros. - Ahamada S. et al ( 2005). 2005 National Coral Reef Status Report. - Jacques Grelot (1996). Urban Pollution assessment in Comoros. - Tayfa A. (2000). Assessment of the solid waste management of Moroni Town. DESS Thesis. Univeristy of Antananarivo. - Ahamada S. et al ( 2005). 2005 National Coral Reef Status Report. - Houmadi NAOILDINE ( 1999). Reducing solid waste in Comoros. - Dorothée Racine (1993). Pilot treatment unit of solid waste in Mutsamudu Anjouan - Haoi Halidi (1998). Water quality analysis on birth water. PRECOI Report.

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