Beyond Data Regulation: Finding a Solution to the Persistent Problem of Marine Debris and Sea Surface Temperature Measurement Along the Coastline of Lagos, Nigeria

We discuss in this paper environmental changes along the coastal line of Nigeria, especially in the region around Lagos, basing on provisional multi-disciplinary analyses of meteorological and maritime observations. The study has revealed that the environmental change in the Nigerian coastal region has been much more apparent than before (i.e. some few years back 1989-2007). Various kinds of ocean debris, transported mainly by coastal wind, are affecting marine and coastal environment severely. Since the current ocean monitoring system is found to be troubled by ocean debris, it is urgent to establish a new system to obtain reliable observational data to monitor and preserve the environment of the coastal region.