Author(s): Aforma Leonard Badumerum | Volume 19 Issue.1 (2023)

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Abstract

Marine conservation is a complex phenomenon owing to the nebulous nature of the marine environment. The ocean is not fixed and defined but travels from one point to the other and in the process exchange different marine organisms. At present, the ocean is soiled with a deluge of substances arising from the continuous discharge of chemicals and trash, most of which come from land sources and eventually washed into the ocean. However, in order to ensure adequate and sound conservation of the marine environment, the author of this article settled at examining the protection measures for the marine environment in Nigeria. The methodology used in this article is the doctrinal research method of data collection. The primary sources used were relevant statutes and case law, while the secondary sources of data used were books, journals and articles. The research found that the creation of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy by the present administration of president Bola Ahmed Tinubu cannot effectively and effectually protect and conserve the marine environment without more. The research also found that the major problem threatening the marine from adequate conservation were plastic debris that have found themselves into the ocean through runoff and wind and the non-enforcement of marine protection laws. The article recommended that beyond the creation of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy in Nigeria, there should be the urgent need to create marine protected areas (MPAs) 10 conserve weak species. Again, it is also recommended that a plastic control law be made to deal with the incessant discharge of plastic waste into the ocean and marine protection laws be adequately enforced to deter violators from continued pollution.

Keywords: Marine, Marine Environment, Measures to Protect Marine Environment and
Nigeria