Oceans pollution by debris and plastics is a major concern for the destruction of marine life and coastal tourism in Ghana.
To address this problem a litter trap system known as DESMI ENVIRO ENHANCER EB2100 was installed at the Korle lagoon, near the estuary bridge in Jamestown on the 16th January 2022 by Coastal Conservancy Organization for the recovery of floating debris and top plastics to prevent land based ocean bound plastics from entering the oceans.
The litter trap system is the first of its kind in West Africa and Ghana, and it’s a temporary floating barriers which use the movement of water to direct debris and top plastics to be captured into the basket, which will be lifted when full and disposed for proper segregation of waste plastics bottles.
Over eight million tons of waste leak into the oceans every year, which according to statistics from environmental experts causes over one million sea birds and one hundred thousand sea mammals to die every year as a result of oceans pollution which impact is very dangerous for marine life and the socioeconomic livelihoods of the coastal folks.
In Ghana about 1.1 million tons of waste is generated every year with only five percent collected for recycling, thus making more waste deposits into our seas which affects marine life and fishing trade negatively.
In recent years many Ghanaian fishermen catch more trash and debris than actual fishes as a consequence of oceans pollution, this affects the income and welfare of fishermen badly.
In assurance, the Project Manager and Chairman of Coastal Conservancy Organization
Mr. Justice Eshun hinted that this is pilot and same system will be installed at nine hot spots identified in Accra and Tema.
He therefore urged support from government, corporate bodies and all stakeholders to consolidate effectively to cleaning oceans to improve the quality of marine life and promote coastal tourism. The vision of many sports associations like Ghana Flying Disc Association to use the beaches for various sporting activities will eventually be a reality with this massive endeavor.
The Director of Operations of Nurture Nature Foundation, NNF, was overwhelmed with the acquisition and installation of this DEMSI ENVIRO ENHANCER EB2100 at Korle lagoon by Coastal Conservancy Organization as it will mitigate the the high rise in the leaks of waste plastics and debris in the ocean aimed at preventing oceans pollution. NNF kindly applauds and highly appreciates the bold state of art intervention by Coastal Conservancy Organization to help and accelerate our Cleaning Oceans working in progress at Jamestown Beach and further encourage other like – vision entities to join hands on deck to Cleaning Oceans to protect marine life and promote coastal tourism whilst improving the fishing trade in Ghana.
Check photos from below;
