Impact of Marine Pollution on Shipping Operation in the South-south Geopolitical Zone
CHAPTER ONE
OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
The main purpose of the study is to ascertain the impact of marine pollution on shipping operation in south-south geopolitical zone in Nigeria. But to aid the completion of the study, the researcher intends to achieve the following sub-objective;
- To ascertain the impact marine pollution on shipping operation in Nigeria
- To investigate if there is any significant relationship between marine pollution and shipping operation.
- To ascertain the effect of marine pollution on the aquatic life
- To proffer possible solution to the identified problem
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
Introduction
Effects of Marine Pollution on coastal environment cum resources such as degradation, damage to ecosystems, damage to the esoteric value of beaches, lethal and sub-lethal effects on marine fauna and flora etc. The study is of the view that marine pollution has enormous impact on our coastal resources and is totally unavoidable due to Global population explosion and technological innovations by man. However, it was asserted that the problem could be minimized through careful management. Pragmatic recommendations were therefore put forward on how to minimize the impact of marine pollution on our coastal resources, with specific reference to Nigeria. The coastal environment generally refers to any piece of land next to, bothering or adjourning the sea shore. The extent of the coastal environment also varies immensely, depending on the object of the context within which it is being defined. Sometimes, it simply means the narrow linear corridor of shore line separating the continental shelf from the oceanic land mass. At other times it may be considered to extend both largely inwards, towards the continental shelf and outwards, farther away from the shore line towards the terrestrial land mass. For the purposes of evaluating marine pollution sources and its effects on the coastal environment, the latter description is considered more suitable. Consequently, the coastal environment can be said to transcend the shore line up to the exclusive economic zone seaward and across the estuarine and intertidal zones to the lower reaches of the fresh water tributaries, sandy beaches and sometimes even arid continental land masses landwards, where such bounds the world Seas and Oceans. Marine pollution is classed as point source or non-point source. Point source pollution occurs when there is a single, identifiable, and localized source of the pollution. That is, “point source” means any discernible, confined and discrete conveyance, including but not limited to any pipe, ditch, channel, tunnel, conduit, well, discrete fissure, container, rolling stock, concentrated animal feeding operation, or vessel or other floating craft, from which pollutants are or may be discharged. An example is directly discharging sewage (i.e. water-carried waste, in solution or suspension, which is intended to be removed from a community, also known as wastewater) and industrial waste into the ocean Non-point source pollution occurs when the pollution comes from ill-defined and diffuse sources. It arises from a broad group of human activities for which the pollutants have no obvious point of entry into receiving watercourses. Obviously, non-point source pollution is much more difficult to measure, identify and control than point sources.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Introduction
This chapter deals with the method used in collecting data required in carrying out this research work it explains the procedures that were followed and the instrument used in collecting data.
Sources of data collection
Data were collected from two main sources namely:
(i)Primary source and
(ii)Secondary source
Primary source:
These are materials of statistical investigation which were collected by the research for a particular purpose. They can be obtained through a survey, observation questionnaire or as experiment, the researcher has adopted the questionnaire method for this study.
Secondary source:
These are data from textbook Journal handset etc. they arise as byproducts of the same other purposes. Example administration, various other unpublished works and write ups were also used.
Population of the study
Population of a study is a group of persons or aggregate items, things the researcher is interested in getting information from for the study impact of marine pollution on shipping operation in south-south geopolitical zone in Nigeria. 200 staff and student of maritime academy was selected randomly by the researcher as the population of the study.
CHAPTER FOUR
PRESENTATION ANALYSIS INTERPRETATION OF DATA
Introduction
Efforts will be made at this stage to present, analyze and interpret the data collected during the field survey. This presentation will be based on the responses from the completed questionnaires. The result of this exercise will be summarized in tabular forms for easy references and analysis. It will also show answers to questions relating to the research questions for this research study. The researcher employed simple percentage in the analysis.
DATA ANALYSIS
The data collected from the respondents were analyzed in tabular form with simple percentage for easy understanding.
A total of 133(one hundred and thirty three) questionnaires were distributed and 133 questionnaires were returned.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain the impact of marine pollution on shipping operation in south-south geopolitical zone.
In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing the challenges marine pollution in shipping operation.
Summary
It is an incontrovertible fact that marine pollution tremendously impacts adversely on our coastal resources in more ways than we can readily comprehend. Whereas marine pollution is something we cannot avoid in a world with a rapidly growing population and technological concerns that generates hazardous the pollutants, its effect can be minimized if carefully managed. In other to achieve this, the following recommendations are suggested to curb the effects of marine pollution in the Nigerian coastal waters;
Conclusion
We can identify some of the difficulties that make legal measures ineffective in achieving their goal, respectively to efficiently stop damaging the environment. They are difficult to be adopted. Their efficiency in diminishing the pollution doesn’t match the amount of development. They are easily to be avoided by shipping companies. They can eventually try to prevent pollution incidents, but not stop pollution to occur. As for the companies, those who are the most profitable and therefore the most polluting companies, they can afford to pay the environmental costs from their profits, continuing to pollute the environment. If the big companies don’t want to comply with the regulations, the governments have little power to enforce them, as the money from these companies is feeding the governments‟ budget. As we know, huge oil spill disasters happened while the legal measures were in force and the penalties applied simply move the money from an account to another, while the environment remains greatly affected.
Recommendations
Haven completed the study, the researcher therefore recommend that; There should be policies by the Federal government to control pollution from ships by introducing penalties in terms of levy and restrictions to ships found polluting the marine environment in order to conserve and protect aquatic resources, provide safe seafood for human consumption and protect means of livelihood. There should be greater exchange of technical information, technology, and experience between countries resulting from research development program. An improved level of organization, coordination, and cooperation between the agencies responsible for the protection of aquatic environment. Strict adherence to IMO standard. Improvement in planning, emergency management, risk assessment studies, availability of monitoring and control equipment’s, timely and suitable procedures for cleanup of the environment. 6. Creating awareness by re-educate the citizen, ship owners, crew of a ship, oil exploring companies, and other corporate bodies, to be concerned and responsible for the respect and protection of the marine environment. Safety drills should be carried out at regular intervals to make crew accustomed to their responsibilities
References
- Mitchell, Diane “Health Effects of Shipping Related Air Pollutants”, California Air Resources Board. Presentation to EPA RegionConference on Marine Vessels and Air Quality.
- International Joint Commission the United States and Canada (1973), Second Annual Report on Great Lakes Water Qualities. www.ijc.org
- Caitlyn Toropova, Imen Meliane, Dan Laffoley, Elizabeth Matthews and Mark Spalding (2010), Global Ocean Protection: Present Status and Future Possibilities, Linemark Printing Inc. an EPA Green Partner. www.portal.iucn.org
- Day J.C and Roff J.C (2000), Planning for Representative Marine Protected Areas: A Framework for Canada’s Oceans. Edited by Josh Laughren. Avaliable online www.wwf.ca/MPA_plainning.
- Nitonye Samson (2014) Lecture Note on Marine Operations, Department of Marine Engineering, Rivers State University Of Science & Technology, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
- Lioyd P.J (2010), Envromental Protection in South Africa www.saimm.co.za
- Environmental impact of shipping (2014, 16 April – last modified). Available online www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Environmental_impact_of_shipping [Accessed 07 June, 2014]
- Lisa S. & Shruti R (2013). Full Extent of Heavy Metal Contamination in Exxon Oil Spill Still Unknown. Available online from www.insideclimatenews.org /news/20130715/full-extent-heavy-metal-contaminationexxon-oil-spill-still-unknown [Accessed 19 June, 2014]
