The Hydrographer of the Nigerian Navy, Rear Admiral Emeka Okafor, has expressed concern over the apparent effect of indiscriminate dumping of waste into rivers and oceans by those who resides along the coastal region.
Admiral Okafor disclosed that there might be more plastics than fish in the country’s waters by 2050 if conscious effort is not made to discourage indiscriminate dumping of waste.
The Hydrographer revealed that despite the huge benefits offered to mankind by the rivers and ocean, recent human activities are now threats to aquatic lives, he added that studies have predicted that tropical coral reefs could disappear by the turn of the century, and that by 2050 there could be more plastics in the oceans than fish.
Speaking at a press conference yesterday, ahead of the 2022 world hydrography day celebration, Admiral Okafor explained that situation had prompted the United Nations to conduct the first World Ocean Assessment in 2016, where it was discovered that mankind was running out of time to start managing the ocean sustainably.
This year’s world hydrography day is with the theme: “Hydrography: Contributing to the United Nations Ocean Decade".
He said, therefore, the UN’s declaration of the period 2021-2030 as the decade of ocean Science for Sustainable Development brings to the fore the critical role to be played by science in restoring the health of the ocean.
“In this regard, the science of hydrography stands out as a major tool to provide policy makers adequate knowledge of the ocean to elicit appropriate governance measures for the conservation of biodiversity, through sustainable use of the ocean.
“As you are aware, no scientific research can take place in any part of the ocean without the use of hydrographic products like nautical charts and publications for safe navigation.
“Hydrography also provides information that facilitates underwater construction, establishment of marine protected areas, coastal zone management, fishing reserves, as well as areas for tourism and recreational boating among others".
“These and many more indispensable contributions of the science of hydrography to the health of the ocean would be highlighted all over the world during the 2022 world hydrography day celebration scheduled to hold on 21 June 2022” he said.
Admiral Okafor further stated that Nigeria, as an active member of the IHO, will join other nations to celebrate the event at the Admiralty Conference Center, Naval Dockyard Limited Victoria Island, Lagos, on 21 June 2022. He added that the NN, as the lead agency in Hydrography, is working with other stakeholders like the Nigerian Hydrographic Society, Nigerian Ports Authority, National Inland Waterways Authority, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, the academia and private practitioners to showcase the various hydrographic developments that are providing information for proper ocean governance in Nigeria.
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