Tanzanian activist has whale of a time fighting plastic pollution in ocean

By Kizito Makoye

DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania (AA) - In an effort to educate the public about marine conservation, a young science teacher in the East African country of Tanzania is running a campaign to protect the ocean from the looming threat of plastic pollution, which is responsible for the deaths of fish and loss of livelihoods for coastal communities.

Zuhura Ahmad is working to enlighten her community on the outskirts of Dar es Salaam about the dual threats of plastic pollution and climate change.

“Plastic waste is a big threat to marine life. We must work even harder to crush this vicious tide,” she said.

Every year, thousands of tons of plastic waste flow into the Indian Ocean, causing pollution that affects marine organisms, according to local scientists.

Although plastic materials have made life easier, Ahmad said they pose the greatest threat to fish species.

“Plastic wastes are chocking the oceans beyond repair. If we don’t act now to protect the seas, the consequences will be severe,” she told Anadolu Agency.

Although the task of managing plastic waste perpetually discarded into the ocean seems daunting, the youthful environmental activist and fellow volunteers are determined to do it.

“Plastic is something we use every day. We have what it takes to stop it from destroying our lives,” she said.

Ahmad, who is working with multiple environmental organizations, is hailed for promoting sustainable fishing practices and reducing plastic pollution.

“I am happy to do this work for my community. Helping my own people gives me peace of mind,” she said.

- Cautiously optimistic

Ahmad, who has long campaigned to protect the Indian Ocean, is cautiously optimistic about the various measures taken by the Tanzanian government to curb plastic pollution in water bodies.

A lack of awareness about plastic pollution has led to the deaths of thousands of fish in the Indian Ocean, thus dealing a blow to coastal communities that depend on fishing for a living, environmental activists have said.

As part of the initiative, Ahmad has teamed up with a legion of volunteers to build capacity and educate people about plastic recycling activities to combat the menace.

“We have helped the community to understand our work on how and why it is important to protect the ocean,” she said.

Since 2019, Ahmad, who teaches chemistry and biology, has been actively involved in the Tanzania Youth Biodiversity Network -- a local non-governmental organization striving to empower youths to lead the shift that would enable coastal communities to live harmoniously with nature and to show support for environmental protection.

“I have inspired many young people in Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar to heed the cause for a cleaner and greener environment,” she said.

According to her, the organization is also working with women’s groups and equipping them with knowledge and skills on how to manage plastic waste through recycling facilities to help create a society free from waste pollution.

- Humble beginnings

From a tender age as a student, Ahmad had a strong passion for the environment which drove her to serve as a volunteer under the United Nations School Club.

“I have always been driven by the passion of protecting the environment. Nothing prevents me from this noble duty,” she said.

Affectionately referred to as ‘Mama Mazingira,’ Swahili for ‘Mother Environment,’ Ahmad has developed a keen interest for conserving the environment.

“Volunteering was the only way that people will see your capacity and take you to the next level,” she said.

As the sun rises over Msasani Beach, a suburb in Dar es Salaam, 22 year-old Ahmad grabs her huge polyethylene bag and slips out of the house. Walking along the coastline to her work site, she looks out over the ocean that she is so passionate about protecting.

Growing up in the small coastal town of Pangani north of Dar es Salaam, Ahmad saw how plastic pollution has a devastating impact on the local fish populations and reefs.

“The impact of plastic pollution is widely felt among fishing communities along the Indian Ocean coastline,” she said.

- Declining fish caches

When Ahmad was young, she often heard stories of the oceans being rich with fish and other marine organisms. The vibrant marine life, she said, provided food and a source of livelihood for her family. However, as she grew up, such stories no longer matched the reality on the ground due to declining catches.

“Local people in Pangani spend more time fishing and catch less fish,” she said.

Catherine Mwakosya, a researcher at the Tanzania Fisheries Research Institute in Dar es Salaam, said plastic pollution is both a symptom of the wider climate crisis and a cause of further environmental destruction.

“When plastic is flowing into the ocean, it further destroys the environment that is already battling the effects of change, making it harder for reefs to recover and fishing communities to keep their livelihoods,” she said.

While records show that, on the current track, there will be more plastic discarded into the sea, Ahmad and her team are determined to change the trajectory.

“It is my hope that all people, communities, organizations and governments will heed the call for a sustainable future,” she said.