MARINE LITTER DATA SYMPOSIUM
Marine litter is one of the most pressing environmental challenges globally, particularly in coastal regions like Tanzania. With an increasing influx of plastic waste and other pollutants into the ocean, the need for comprehensive solutions is more urgent than ever. In 21st September, 2024, MBRC the ocean hosted Africa’s Biggest Clean-up, a continent-wide initiative that brought together over 600 participants from across Dar es Salaam and nearby regions to remove marine litter from Jangwani, mambo beach, Magha, the wave, Kibo, serene, landmark and Ramada beach. This large-scale cleanup not only highlighted the severity of the issue but also provided crucial data on the types and sources of litter polluting our coastal environments. The clean-up’s success inspired the need to further analyze and act upon the data collected, leading to the organization of the Marine Litter Data Symposium 2024.
Objectives
The Marine Litter Data Symposium 2024 has the following key objectives:
- . To present and analyze marine litter data collected from beach cleanups and other related activities, highlighting the extent of pollution in Tanzania’s coastal regions
- To inform policy decisions by utilizing data-driven insights to propose more effective regulations on waste management, recycling programs, and public awareness campaigns.
- To enhance community engagement by promoting strategies that involve local communities in marine litter reduction and conservation efforts
- To explore the role of citizen science in influencing policy changes and fostering environmental stewardship at both local and international levels.
- To build partnerships between government bodies, environmental organizations, and the private sector in tackling marine litter