The safety of navigation and the protection of Africa's marine envi- a prevention and cure approach.

AfriCan Geopardy

The significance of the marine environment to the social and economic wellbeing of coastal states in Africa, in particular, Small Island nations such as Seychelles, Mauritius and Cabo Verde, cannot be overemphasised. The existence of these states practically depends on the health and sustainability of their marine environment. As a result, anything that threatens this sustainability is essentially a threat to their security. In light of the Mauritius oil spillage, whereby a Japanese bulk carrier (MV Wakashio) broke-up and leaked oil on the shores of Mauritius in July, and taking into account that 24.3% of the country's GDP is from tourism (2018 figures), we discuss the implication of this spill with Dr Nkeiru Scotcher. Dr Scotcher is a postdoctoral fellow and instructor in Ocean Governance and the Law of the Sea at the Department of Law in Gothenburg University, Sweden. What is clear from the conversation is the Mauritius government is not to blame for what happened during and at the aftermath of the spill as it is impossible to prepare for that which is beyond one's control (one cannot give what one does not have). Though different, the BP US Gulf of Mexico spills in 2010, and the aftermath evinces that it is difficult to prepare for such eventuality. What is clear, Dr Scotcher notes, is the need for Africa to regroup, restrategise and push for change in the international Convention, including pushing for the introduction of a protocol that can increase liability and the review of the relevant Convention. You may reach her via email on: [e-mail]