Clean Shores, Great Lakes presents at University of Dar es Salaam

The School of Aquatic Sciences and Fisheries Technology based at the Kunduchi Campus on the beaches of the Indian Ocean provided the perfect setting to host a workshop on the problems associated to plastic and microplastic pollution.

The audience included the Department’s academic staff and students, TAFIRI (Tanzania Fisheries Research Institute), NEMC (National Environment Management Council) and MPRU Marine Park and Reserve Unit.

Presenting our project, Bahati highlighted the breadth and scope of Clean Shores Great Lakes, including the training of citizen scientists, the schools outreach and the promotion of circular economy. Bahati also outlined the results of the project to date – data from 68 clean-ups:

• 75% plastic pollution
• Bottles and bags together make up 40% of all waste
• Sites with most litter often related to fishing camps or landing sites
• 3 plastics manufacturers produce 60% of identifiable waste.

The workshop presentations were by international researchers Dr Conrad Sparks (Cape Peninsula University of Technology) and Dr Farhan Khan (NORCE), and the PhD students of the MICROMARINE project Asiya Nchimbi and John Mbugani.

Conrad presented “Microplastics in Africa: Thoughts on mitigating impacts on the ecosystem and blue economy” which focused on the environmental presence of microplastics, but also the gaps in knowledge that persist particularly in African waters. The environmental and societal cost was also discussed in terms of the relatively new field of blue economy.

Farhan’s talk was titled “Toxicological effects of microplastic pollution: recognising and filling knowledge gaps”. Highlighting the importance of understanding ecotoxicological effects and considering new types of plastics such as tire particles and nanoplastics, as well the need for a greater understanding that microplastics enter an environment that is also impacted many other human activities, including chemical pollution, climate change and biodiversity loss.

The workshop was a great success, and we are grateful to the Head of Department Dr Samuel Limbu for hosting the event and everyone that joined and participated in lively and informative discussions.