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The problem of marine litter |
 Marine litter is “any persistent manufactured or processed solid material which is discarded, disposed of, or abandoned in the marine and coastal environment”, according to the definition of United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP).
The litter can originate from the sea (e.g. ships and dumping-at-sea, offshore rigs and drilling platforms) and the land (e.g. storm water run-off, sewer overflows, beachgoers).
Litter threatens marine life through entanglement, suffocation and ingestion. It has a visual impact on marine and coastal areas with negative effects on tourism, and can pose human health and safety concerns. Litter in the marine environment can also destroy coastal habitats and in some situations interfere with biological production in coastal areas.
The state of the coast in the BCLME countries
 Most marine pollution in Angola is originated on land, especially from overpopulated coastal urban areas, untreated sewage discharges, industrial waste brought by rivers, fishing activities and oil exploration. In Namibia, marine pollution is not very widespread since most of the coastline is devoid of habitation. The highest concentrations occur in Walvis Bay, originating from effluents used in fish factories, and hazardous substances used in repair and maintenance of fishing vessels and other ships. Marine litter in South Africa is especially problematic when it comes to litter carried in storm water runoff into harbours and bays.
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