The Cabo Verdean islands are suffering from a steady flow of plastic debris carried by the Oceanic current. They accumulate mostly on the Estern shores of the archipelago. Those debris are a permanent threat to the marine fauna and the biodiversity of the islands.
The combination of the Canary marine current (along the African coast) and the Trade Winds pushes a constant flow of debris, which are mainly produced by the international fishing industry. Containers, fishing nets, and plastic bottle represent around 90% of the collected debris.
Our first beach cleaning took place in October 2015. Since then we have collected more than 9 tons of plastic debris in 21 months on 6 different isolated beaches. We work usually with students from middle high schools and unemployed people from the island capital: Espargos. We also benefited from the logistical support of the 2nd Regiment of Espargos (30 soldiers & truck).
The city hall supports our action, and collects all debris at the end of the day and puts it in the main landfill.Our next target is to set up a recycling unit (mande of bottle crusher and hydraulic baler), which could help the island handling the masses of thrash generated by the booming tourism. We are in negotiations with different stakeholders (hotels, city hall) to implement this new solution.
Progress reports
By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution
Type of commitment
PLASTICS
- Coastal clean-ups
- Plastics recovery/recycling/reuse
By 2030, increase the economic benefits to Small Island developing States and least developed countries from the sustainable use of marine resources, including through sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism
Type of commitment
- Economic benefits from sustainable tourism
Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries
Enhance the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing international law as reflected in UNCLOS, which provides the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources, as recalled in paragraph 158 of The Future We Want
Type of commitment
- Activities to raise awareness of the comprehensive legal and policy framework for the sustainable development of oceans and seas, in particular UNCLOS, its Implementing Agreements and other relevant ocean-related instruments and promote their effective im
02/2015
Cabo Verde
