Mwanza-based marine experts want the Tanzania government to work with non governmental organisations responsible for environmental conservation to prevent shipping pollution in Lake Victoria.

Senior marine experts from Mbondo Fishing and Ship Surveyors (MFSS) company, which is contracted by the Tanzania government to survey and regulate marine transports in Lake Victoria, stated recently that, "the government, NGOs responsible for environmental conservation and communities around the lake basin should take stern measures to stop pollution from shipping."

According to the marine experts, economic activities in and around Lake Victoria are the cause of pollution in Africa's largest freshwater lake. They include manufacturing industries, fishing and shipping. They pose a threat to the life of species, water quality and ecological systems, thus the need for stern measures to arrest the situation.

The experts also blame the booming building of illegal ports and landing beaches, commercial and residential buildings built on the shores of Lake Victoria with the blessing of government authorities in the region. 

According to the experts, there are an estimated 20 illegal ports and about 200 illegal landing beaches on the Tanzania side of Lake Victoria. 

MFSS managing director Jackson Mbondo said the government should introduce tougher marine rules and stiffer penalties to deter pollution from shipping activities in the lake. 

Mr Mbondo told The EastAfrican that shipping pollution, particularly oil spills, posed a new threat to the lake's animal and plant species and ecosystems.

"Shipping activities should be controlled and managed to prevent environmental pollution on Lake Victoria and this will only be successful if the government imposes tougher marine rules," said another marine expert from the state-owned Marine Services Company Ltd. The other pollutants include chemicals, sewage and garbage disposal. 

The marine experts recommend that all marine vessels be checked to ensure they are in sound mechanical condition and retain oily residues on board until they can discharge them into shore reception facilities. 

They also recommend that marine vessels have slop tanks, oil/water interface detectors, oil discharge monitoring and control systems and suitable pumping and piping arrangements to control the pollution. 

According to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships of 1973 and 1978, ships are prohibited from discharging sewage and used oil within four nautical miles of the nearest land, unless they have in operation an approved treatment plant. 

The Convention also states that between 4 and 12 nautical miles from the land, sewage must be treated before being discharged. 

Oil pollution at sea , particularly in ports and harbours, was first recognised as a problem before the First World War and during the 1920s and 1930s, various countries introduced measures to control discharges of oil within their territorial waters, and provided deterrents in the form of fines for illegal discharges.