@inproceedings{fdi:010094650,
  title = {{M}arine plastic pollution in {W}est {A}frica - the case of {I}vory {C}oast [r{\'e}sum{\'e}]},
  author = {{C}ecchi, {P}hilippe and {O}uattara, {A}.},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{A}frica remains the continent with the least information on marine plastic pollution. {S}ince 2022, we have undertaken a series of multidisciplinary research efforts to address this gap in {I}vory {C}oast ({W}est {A}frica, north of the {G}ulf of {G}uinea). {T}he importation of raw primary materials for the plastics industry (457,000 tons in 2023) is projected to reach 1 million tons annually within the next five years. {T}he annual per capita consumption of plastic is approximately 19-26 kg. {M}ismanagement of waste leads to more than 200,000 tons of plastic being exported to the ocean annually. {L}ocal oceanic circulation allows a significant portion of this pollution to reach coastal areas. {D}epending on the season, the western and eastern coastal regions around {A}bidjan (a city with 6 million inhabitants and the economic hub of the country) are heavily impacted. {T}ourism activities, particularly sun and beach tourism, are severely affected by plastic waste washing ashore. {L}ittoral fisheries are also directly impacted, with most small pelagic fish species (e.g., {S}ardinella sp.) ingesting microplastics. {T}his poses a significant threat to both public health and food safety in the country. {A}t the interface between {A}bidjan and the ocean, the Ébri{\'e} {L}agoon is the primary recipient of domestic plastic pollution. {M}icroplastic accumulation within lagoon sediments has reached unprecedented concentrations. {P}lastic recycling, which mainly involves industrial waste, remains a marginal activity. {A}lthough a law officially banning the use of certain types of plastic (e.g., packaging bags) was introduced in 2013, it has never been implemented due to a lack of explicit political will. {T}he trend, therefore, continues toward an irreversible increase in both the import of raw materials and the use of plastic products, leading to a worsening pollution crisis. {T}hese various elements paint an alarming picture that local authorities struggle to address, largely due to the economic importance of the plastics industry (2% of {GDP} and over 200,000 direct jobs). {O}ur advocacy must continue to engage all stakeholders in civil society, starting with the youngest members?schoolchildren and students. {P}olicymakers must also be informed, and information sessions are planned at both local (municipal councils) and national (senate) levels. {D}onors have also to be approached for funding both research actions and sensitization-remediation operations. {T}his presentation will highlight the key findings from our research and outline the upcoming action plans.},
  keywords = {{COTE} {D}'{IVOIRE} ; {ABIDJAN} ; {ATLANTIQUE} ; {EBRIE} {LAGUNE} ; {GUINEE} {GOLFE}},
  numero = {},
  pages = {{OOS}2025--1083 [1 ]},
  booktitle = {},
  year = {2025},
  DOI = {10.5194/oos2025-1083},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010094650},
}