MARINE POLLUTION: THE NEED FOR EFFECTIVE WASTE MANAGEMENT.

Marine Pollution: A major international Problem (IMO (2002, 2001, 2000, 1998), Boesch, et al. (2001), Maclaren (1994), Blowers (1993), Tolba (1992) ): i. Environmental ii. Economic iii. Socio-economic

SOURCES OF POLLUTION Agriculture, Roads, Industry 1. Land-based Agriculture, Roads, Industry (Dissipating wastes, Particulate pollution) 2. Marine-based Shipping, warfare, aircraft accidents 3. Atmosphere CONCERN The general system of waste management in Jamaica CONTEXT: Sustainable Development (Jamaica as an island-state)

TYPES OF WASTE ii. Inorganic i. Organic Radioactive MAJOR FOCUS: 1. Ship-Generated Waste 2. Industrial Minerals Sector Waste

CONSERVATIVE POLLUTANTS i. Permanent additions to the marine environment. ii. Often “invisible,” showing no obvious signs of their presence. iii. Non-biodegradable – hence their persistence in the natural environment.

They include: i. Halogenated hydrocarbons Pesticides, made into polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Industrial applications generally employ Cl in manufacturing halogenated hydrocarbons - cheapest halogen. ii. Heavy metals - mercury, cadmium, lead iii. Non-biodegradable plastics, styrofoam and other petrochemical products iv. Radioactive material.

IMPACTS Self-repair System overload Ecosystem destruction Ecosystem damage Ecosystem destruction Degradable waste breaks down into less harmful components. Organic matter and nutrients may not be toxic. The huge volumes removes oxygen and sediments from H2O (Anoxic conditions) causing massive numbers of deaths, massive growth of algae. Self-repair

SHIP-GENERATED WASTE Huge quantities Impacts the marine environment: Costal communities Livelihood of entities dependent on marine- based resources and services: i. Fish stocks ii. Minerals iii. Recreation, Sports, Tourism iv. Transportation.

WASTE MANAGEMENT TOOLS i. Legislation ii. Self-regulation iii. Product design iv. Management

HIERARCHY OF PREVENTIVE OPTIONS Processes Improved efficiency, better control, improved materials handling Materials Reduce material inputs change to less toxic materials Products Change consumption, improve durability, etc. Activities Reduce material consumption, less polluting activities

, Products: Change consumption, improve durability etc. Materials: Processes: Improved efficiency, better control, improved materials handling Materials: Reduce material inputs change to less toxic materials Products: Change consumption, improve durability etc. Activities: Reduce material consumption, less polluting activities FIGURE 5.3: A Hierarchy of Preventative Options. After Hirschhorn, Jackson and Baas (1993, 136) in Jackson, Tim (ed). ,

PERSONAL STUDIES

Comparisons – England/Jamaica: INITIAL FINDINGS 1. No appropriately engineered and dedicated ship-generated waste management facility Absence of MARPOL-sanctioned ship-generated waste management facilities threatens aspects of the tourism product and the fishing sector. Comparisons – England/Jamaica: i. Several dedicated facilities ii. Wide use of waste contractors iii. Ship-generated wastes facilities not managed for profit iv. Provision of facilities seen as a priority

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