The Eastern Cape government said it was very concerned about the large amount of waste entering the province’s coastline.
Eastern Cape MEC for Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Sakhumzi Somyo, made the remark in an address to the African Marine Waste Conference in Port Elizabeth on Tuesday.
In a speech prepared for delivery, Somyo said that marine waste in the Eastern Cape came from mainly four sources, such as sewerage outflows,plastic pollution and oil spills.
He said there was also the “new phenomenon” of illegal cargo being thrown overboard by passing ships wanting to avoid arrest by local authorities.
“We learnt with shock the devastating effect of oil spills on marine life that have come into contact with oil in the ocean,” Somyo said.
MEC Somyo added that the Bhisho government was also worried about the contribution of marine waste to greenhouse gas emissions which “ultimately contribute towards climate change”.
“We all know the devastating effects of Climate Change to our Universe especially in coastal areas in as far as the rise of sea levels are concerned. We must therefore Waste no time in coming up with workable solutions to our Marine Waste challenges.” he said.
