KARACHI: While discussing the impact of oil spills on the environment, speakers at a seminar held on Tuesday expressed serious concern over the increasing marine pollution and called upon civic agencies and sea-related organisations to play their role in ensuring proper disposal of waste and keeping the portand the seaclean.

The seminar titled `Oil spill and its response mechanism` was organised by the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA).

The chief guest, vice chief of naval staff admiral Khan Hasham bin Saddique, said that marine pollution was a serious issue which required immediate attention from all stakeholders including the federal and the provincial government, the Karachi Port Trust (KPT), the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation, and the Karachi Waterand Sewerage Board.

Presently,he pointed out,87 per cent of sewage was going directly into the sea without any treatment. `This shows the gravity of the situation and the need for improving waste disposal system.

Proper treatment of sewage is a must and in this regard modern technology should be fully utilised,` he said.

On his part, the Pakistan Navy, he noted, was ready to extend support as and when needed, he remarked.

He also spolce briefly in the context of the prevailing tension at the borders of Pakistan and India and said the Pakistan Navy was fully prepared to defend the country and would give a befitting reply to the enemy in case of any misadventure.

Earlier, director general of PMSA rear admiral Jameel Akhtar in his address talked about the needfor public awareness on marine pollution.

`Marine life is hugely affected by marine pollution and we all must addressthis issue at every level,` he said.

Emphasising the need for collaboration to tackle marine pollution, KPT chairman retired vice admiral Shafgat Taved said all stakeholders needed to discharge their duties to keep marine life thriving and safe as it is in everybody`s interest; a healthy sea would boost individual financial gains, the national economy as well as improve the quality ofseafood.

Giving a presentation titled, `011 spill: impact on coastal communities and livelihood`, technical advisor on marine fisheries at the World Wide Fund for Nature-Pakistan Mohammad Moazzam Khan said since major fisheries in the country was restricted to the coastal and near-shore areas, it was important to keep the coast free of pollution.

`Out of the 13,000 operational fishing boats, around 10,000 boats are employed in the coastal waters. About 70 per cent of the landing comes fromthe coastal waters,` he said, adding that oil pollution was a major cause of fish mortality.

Tracing the history of major oil spills that have so far been reported in the country, Khan said the Tasman Spirit disaster caused spillage of 67,535 metric tonnes of crude oil that led to the closure of the beach and ban on fishing in the area.

`It also caused reduction in the sea food exports and its demand in the local market,` he observed.

In the long-term, oil spills, he said, could directly affect the fish and the marine ecosystem.

Mr Olof Linden, a professor at the World Maritime University in Sweden, presented a paper on `Contemporary trends in oil spill for deriving contingency planning, response mechanism and preparedness`, while seasoned environmentalist Shahid Lutfi spoke on the importance of institutional coordination during oil spill response.