Date of Award
1997
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Master of Science in Maritime Affairs
Specialization
General Maritime Administration & Environment Protection
Campus
Malmö, Sweden
Country
Tanzania
First Advisor
Plant, Glen.
Abstract
The polluting potential of wastes generated is a function of the volume of effluent discharged, their dilution in the receiving water, and their toxicity to marine life. The coastal pollution in Tanzania is no exception to this defined parameter of polluting potential. Most of the factories along the Tanzanian coast often discharge their wastes without treatment directly into the sea. This coupled with the rapidly growing human population and settlements in the coastal zone further exert pressure on the coastal resources. The current state of the Tanzanian marine pollution therefore, is a matter of concern. The environmental challenges that Tanzania faces exist partly because its Government has not adequately taken into consideration the need for comprehensive environmental law and policy. The present policy lacks an assessment of costs that are imposed on the environment in the form of pollution, depletion of natural resources, destruction of ecological heritage and associated problems with human health. There is thus an inadequate legislative response to marine pollution from both land and sea-based sources. .,, This study analizes the existing marine environment protection laws in Tanzania in the light of the above stated problems related to marine pollution. The main parameters that have been analysed are marine environmental pollution, loss of wildlife habitats, biodiversity and deterioration of aquatic systems; with respect to the role of the Government institutions in achieving a sustainable marine environmental policy. Finally, conclusion and recommendations are made, to prevent, mitigate and minimise threats of marine pollution. A framework for environmental legislation is also proposed, and a legal mechanism suggested to be consistent with the tenets of environmental planning and management.