Inhambane removes 7,000 tons of marine litter per year – O País

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Inhambane removes 7,000 tons of marine litter per year – O País

3:29 CAT | 09 Jun 2021

Imag: O País

Inhambane province has about 700 km of ocean coast, and the sea, according to authorities, is not in good health.

More than 7,000 tons of marine litter were collected last year alone. Just to get an idea, in 2020, 845 kg of inorganic waste were collected, of which 150 kg was aluminium cans, 295 kg was glass, 250 kg plastic and 150 kg metal. All this garbage came from Inhambane Bay alone.

It is not only garbage which harms the health of the sea. Another factor is the pressure of fishing and the use of environmentally harmful gear associated with the acute shortage of fish experienced in Inhambane.

Secretary of State for Inhambane province, Ludimila Maguni, points out that the oceans cover about two thirds of the earth’s surface, and are the lungs of the planet, producing much of the oxygen that is breathed and influencing the climate as well as providing food, energy, opportunities for tourism development and serving as a backbone for international trade.

Coastal and ocean resources are affected by overfishing and assaults on the environment leading to the collapse of fishing grounds and the extinction of species such as whales, dugongs and dolphins.

Inhambane faces major challenges in the conservation of the marine ecosystem, and needs to research, for example, the disappearance of seagrasses in Inhassoro and the consequent reduction in catches.

Inhambane province also needs to stop the destruction of mangroves by felling and the proliferation of marine litter.

According to Maguni, the “Let’s replant Inhambane!” programme will greatly contribute to the restoration of ecosystems, and everyone is called to actively participate in the implementation of the programme.

Maguni said that actions were underway to reduce pressure on the sea and preserve the environment, with the emphasis on restoring 33 hectares of mangroves, opening water boreholes in the Mangarelane and Vuca communities in Inhassoro district, and the construction of two greenhouses for the propagation of various species.

By Hugo Firmino

Source: O País