Plastic pollution

Some researchers suggest that by 2050 there could be more plastic than fish in the oceans by weight.

Plastic pollution is the accumulation of plastic objects (e.g.: plastic bottles and much more) in the Earth's environment that adversely affects wildlife, wildlife habitat and humans.

Plastics that act as pollutants are categorized into micro-, meso-, or macro debris, based on size.
Plastics are inexpensive and durable, and as a result levels of plastic production by humans are high.
Moreover, the chemical structure of most plastics renders them resistant to many natural processes of degradation and as a result they are slow to degrade. Together, these two factors have led to a high prominence of plastic pollution in the environment.

Plastic pollution can afflict land, waterways and oceans. Living organisms, particularly marine animals, can be harmed either by mechanical effects, such as entanglement in plastic objects or problems related to ingestion of plastic waste, or through exposure to chemicals within plastics that interfere with their physiology. Humans are also affected by plastic pollution, such as through disruption of various hormonal mechanisms.

As of 2018, about 380 million tonnes of plastic is produced worldwide each year. From the 1950s up to 2018, an estimated 6.3 billion tonnes of plastic has been produced worldwide, of which an estimated 9% has been recycled and another 12% has been incinerated. In the UK alone, more than 5 million tonnes of plastic are consumed each year, of which only an estimated one-quarter is recycled, with the remainder going to landfills. This large amount of plastic waste inevitably enters the environment, with studies suggesting that the bodies of 90% of seabirds contain plastic debris.

In some areas there have been significant efforts to reduce the prominence of plastic pollution, through reducing plastic consumption and promoting plastic recycling.

Read the full article at https://www.revolvy.com/page/Plastic-pollution

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Ocean clean up

The plastic will not go away by itself

A serious action has taken place in the Pacific to clean up the ocean. The Ocean Cleanup has dispatched a giant PacMan to remove plastic from the Pacific.

Over 5 trillion pieces of plastic are currently littered in the oceans, trash has accumulated in the ocean and if left to circulate, the plastics will impact our ecosystems, health and economies.

There are five major gyres, which are large system of circular ocean currents formed by global wind patterns and forces created by Earth's rotation. The movement of the world's major ocean gyres helps drive the “ocean conveyor belt.” The ocean conveyor belt circulates ocean water around the entire planet. Together, these larger and more permanent currents make up the systems of currents known as gyres.

The term “gyre” is used to refer to the collections of plastic waste and other debris found in higher concentrations in certain parts of the ocean. Solving it requires a combination of closing the source, and cleaning up what has already accumulated in the ocean.

Research shows the majority of plastic by mass is currently in the larger debris. By removing the plastic while most of it is still large, we prevent it from breaking down into dangerous microplastics. Combining the cleanup with source reduction on land paves the road towards a plastic free ocean by 2050.




Indian Ocean Subtropical Gyre.

The Indian Ocean’s garbage patch covers a massive area: at least five million square kilometers (two million square miles). As garbage patches such as these circulate for long periods of time, they cause inorganic toxins to enter the food chain due to solar breakdown of plastics in the water. In the Indian Ocean gyre, the garbage patch has been more of a mystery. Having just been discovered in 2010, it is still under research. It is known, however, that like most garbage patches, it is very fluid, and changes with the seasons, making its location difficult to pinpoint. It seems to circulate with the Indian Ocean gyre, from the Australian side to the African side, down the African coast, and then back to Australia. According to the team who discovered the garbage patch, the full rotation of the gyre’s garbage patch takes about six years, until it reaches the center of the gyre, where it may remain indefinitely.

The patch does not appear as a continuous debris field. As with other patches in each of the five oceanic gyres, the plastics in it break down to ever smaller particles, and to constituent polymers. As with the other patches, the field constitutes an elevated level of pelagic plastics, chemical sludge, and other debris; primarily particles that are invisible to the naked eye. The concentration of particle debris has been estimated to be approximately 10,000 particles per square kilometer.

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Red Sea Maritime to go into partnership with the Mombasa County Government to revamp and redevelop the fishing industry

Red Sea Maritime has proposed a public private partnership to the Mombasa County Government to revamp and redevelop the fishing industry in Kenya, off the coast of Mombasa county.

Red Sea Maritime is a Maritime and logistics company located in the UK and East Africa - Kenya. We are positioned as change agents for the African continent and its people. The company’s business concept is to provide support services in the maritime industry. We assist with the sales and chartering of vessels, boats and all types of sea going machinery. We also render procurement services in terms of supply vessels, tugboats, search and rescue boats.

The Mombasa County Government played host to directors of the company who presented the proposal to set up a fish processing and storage facility with a view to exporting seafood. Red Sea Maritime is determined to bring jobs, business opportunities and progress to the people of Mombasa County. To this end, a proposal has been submitted to the Mombasa County Government with a larger presentation to be done within the next 3 months. The position is to return to Mombasa with a business plan on the business operations, profit & loss projections and so forth.

Presently, we are in the initial stages of developing the business plan, we are heavily into research now in terms of off takers of the fish and the business structuring in general. It is important to note that our team was well received by the Mombasa County Government and consequently departed with an acknowledgement letter and a non-disclosure agreement.

Our aim is to assist the Mombasa County administration nurture, develop and boost the fishing industry of Mombasa County. We have studied the terrain and have understood that the main thrust/ factors necessary for boosting the industry are equipment, manpower, storage/ processing facilities and product buyers. Mombasa County is blessed with a rich and beautiful coastline, which we believe must be fully tapped into.

During our research, we found that the current fish production is approximately 9, 000 – 15, 000MT of product annually, however, there is opportunity to grow this industry to produce up to 200, 000MT in the same period.  Our approach is to close the gap between local fishermen and the foreigners, while creating opportunities for locals to exploit the marine resources available are three pronged –

• In conjunction with the Mombasa County, source for and deliver two (2) new model fishing trawlers with Sonar systems capable of tracking schools of fish 1,500m/s or 4, 921 ft/s deep
• Set up a fishing scheme, that will see young men and women come together to apply for support in terms of securing vessels for fishing and other factors of the industry
• Employ local sailors/ fishermen to man the vessels, while we open up opportunities for training new sailors/ fishermen
• Set up a storage and processing facility for the products

During our research and engagement with industry majors, it is apparent to us as a business that the fishing industry is a viable and profitable industry. Our business site - Mombasa County, Kenya is a warm and friendly environment, the social and political risks have been assessed and have been deemed as quite low and easily managed. Competition is evident, however, not stiff, which creates a fantastic opportunity for investors. We are interested in development partners in terms of technical and commercial support.

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Contact us if you are interested to know more about the Red Sea Maritime - business project in the fishing industry in Kenya, Mombasa.

Level 33, 25 Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London, England, E14 5LB

T: +44 793 111 0000    E: ahmed@redseamaritime.co.uk    www.redseamaritime.co.uk

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2050 there will be more plastic in the world’s oceans than fish - a concern for the industry.

Serious concern for the Kenya to challenge the usage of plastic. In Kenya, plastic bags were banned.

The rapid growth of the use and disposal of plastic materials has proved to be a challenge for solid waste management systems with impacts on our environment and ocean.

Kenya is now the ninth African country that has banned the use of plastic bags in stores and households.

It is reported by the Associated Press, the banned was also begin introduced in Cameroon, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Mauritania and Malawi. In many industrialised countries, the use of plastic bags was banned even earlier.

According to the United Nations Environment Program, only in Kenya, which introduces a ban on the use of plastic in households from September 15, 2017, 100 million such packages are issued in stores every year, which subsequently become one of the important pollutants of nature.

Total in the world ocean, according to the UN, annually falls to 8 million tons of polyethylene products, which lead to environmental pollution and the mass death of fish, birds and mammals.

While maintaining the current rate of environmental pollution with plastic bags, according to the UN, in 2050 there will be more plastic in the world’s oceans than fish.

The recycling and the circular economy have been touted as potential solutions, upward of half of the plastic waste intended for recycling has been exported to hundreds of countries around the world. China, which has imported a cumulative 45% of plastic waste since 1992, recently implemented a new policy banning the importation of most plastic waste, begging the question of where the plastic waste will go now.

Sending plastic to China on a container ship is no longer an option for kenya. The East African plastic manufacturers has step-up and now is to recycling after China has imposed the ban.

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Kenya fish exports set for EU test and EU import guidance

Kenyan fish exports will soon have to go through the Kenya Accreditation Service (Kenas) before being transported overseas, stated Kensas chairperson Marion Mutugi


Fish produced in the country will need to be given the go-ahead by the Kenya Accreditation Service (Kenas) for it to be allowed for export to meet global quality standards.

Kenas will also certify fishing vessels, methods of fishing and processing details to eradicate illegal fishing practices.

An EU guideline, established four years ago, requires imported seafood to be accompanied by a 'catch certificate' from a competent authority to help curb illegal fishing, especially in the Indian Ocean waters.

Safety concerns have emerged in the European market after the discovery of toxic mercury in Kenyan fish.

Mutugi said the agency was working towards improving the quality of fish and flower exports through accreditation services.

“We shall conduct tests and offer accreditation services to the conformity assessment bodies (CABs) in these sectors so as to prevent any future loss,” Mutugi stated.

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Here are useful EU import guidance:

1. https://ec.europa.eu/fisheries/sites/fisheries/files/docs/body/eu-new-fish-and-aquaculture-consumer-labels-pocket-guide_en.pdf



2. https://ec.europa.eu/food/sites/food/files/safety/docs/ia_trade_import-cond-fish_en.pdf



3. http://www.seafish.org/industry-support/legislation/import-and-export/import-guidance



4. http://www.intracen.org/uploadedFiles/intracenorg/Content/Exporters/Exporting_Better/Quality_Management/Redesign/EQB84_Rev%201_eng_Exporting%20Seafood%20to%20the%20EU_FINAL_11.08_Blaha.pdf

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Kenya fisheries has huge untapped potential

Kenya is losing an estimated Sh10 billion annually due to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing in its territorial waters, according to the government.

According to the government, the Kenya Indian Ocean produces only 5 per cent of the 174,000 metric toners of the fish produced in the country.

Kenya coastline has a potential of producing Sh200 billion fish products, but local fishermen have not been able to fully exploit the blue-economy, Njaramba says.

In the Word, China is the world supplier of fish product with a net worth of Sh14.1 trillion, followed by Vietnam (Sh580 billion), USA Sh 510 billion), and India (Sh460 billion) annually.

Njaramba says Kenya has a potential of being in the same league with China, Indonesia, Chile and Vietnam, who are among the biggest fish product suppliers of the world.

Mercy Mghanga, the vice chairperson of the Mombasa Beach Management Unit, said the boat has improved the fishing industry since the launch of MV 001.

She says the only challenge left now is to increase storage capacity for the fish to supply a bigger market and promote employment.

“We want the storage capacity to be increased to supply a bigger market,” she says.

Njaramba says the county has already identified eight places where they will build storage facilities for local fishermen.

“The eight places are fish landing sites. We will build storage facilities for our fishermen to store their products,” he says.

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Kenya is earning more from fish exports than imports but the high volumes shipped in from China are still a concern

Fishmongers have decried the increasing number of cheap imports which they say affect sales.

Earnings from Kenya's fish exports in the last three years were higher compared to imports despite an outcry over foreign sea food flooding the local market.

According to data from the Department of Fisheries, the country earned Sh8.5 billion ($83.8 million) from selling abroad, which was higher than the Sh4.03 billion ($39.7 million) paid for imports in the period under review.

The department attributed the high export earnings to the high value that Kenya’s fish earned in the world market.

Export volumes in the last three years stood at 16,429 tonnes compared with 40,991 tonnes imported in the same period.

Cheap imports
Fishmongers have decried the increasing number of cheap imports mainly from China, which they say affect sales as they cannot compete with the local catch, which are expensive.

For instance, Tilapia from China trades at Sh150 to Sh300 a kg , while the Kenyan variety goes for Sh400. Nile Perch (Mbuta) fetches Sh320 a kg.

The government has however maintained that Kenya will continue importing fish to meet the widening deficit, due to dwindling stocks both in the aquatic and marine space. Kenya has an annual deficit of 800,000 tonnes, which is filled through imports.

It added that measures are ongoing to restock Lake Victoria, a major source of fish in the country, which is currently suffering from depleted stock.

Kenya mainly imports frozen tilapia, frozen mackerels, sardines, prawns and salmons among others whereas it exports frozen Nile Perch, tuna, octopus, frozen whole tilapia and lobsters caught in the lakes and the Indian Ocean notably to the EU.

The country has a large exclusive fishing zone with potential to produce 300,000 tonnes of fish annually estimated at about Sh75 billion. However, it is yet to optimally utilise the opportunity.

By fmg newz

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