Without prejudice to the relevant provisions of international conventions relating to the protection of the marine environment, duly ratified by the Republic of Cameroon, the following are prohibited, dumping, immersion and incineration in maritime waters under Cameroonian jurisdiction, substances of any kind likely to:
– Harm human health and marine living resources;
– Adversely affect maritime activities, including shipping, aquaculture and fishing;
– Impair the quality of maritime waters from the point of view of their use;
– Degrade the amenity values and tourist potential of the sea and coastline.
The list of substances referred to above is specified by a decree implementing the law.
In the event of damage or accidents occurring in maritime waters under Cameroonian jurisdiction to any vessel, aircraft, craft or platform carrying or having on board hydrocarbons or noxious or hazardous substances which may create a serious and imminent danger to the marine environment and its resources, the owner of the said vessel, aircraft, craft or platform shall be given formal notice by the competent maritime authorities to restore the contaminated site in accordance with the regulations in force.
In the event that this formal notice remains without effect or has not produced the expected results within the allotted time, take the necessary measures at the expense of the shipowner, operator or owner, and recover the cost from the latter.
The master or person in charge of any ship, aircraft or craft carrying or having on board oil or hazardous or noxious hydrocarbons or noxious or dangerous substances in maritime waters under Cameroonian jurisdiction, is required to report by any means to the competent authorities any marine event on board that is or could be of such a nature as to constitute a threat to the marine environment and associated to the marine environment and related interests.
The measures required to prevent and combat marine pollution from ships and installations at sea and/or on land is laid down in a decree implementing the law.
The Public Lands Administration may grant, upon request, an authorisation to occupy the public domain. The occupation carried out by virtue of this authorisation must not hinder free access to the public maritime and river domains, or free movement on the shore, or be a source of pollution, erosion or degradation of the site.
On the public maritime and river domain, only the following are authorised for temporary private occupation, light and demountable installations to the exclusion of any permanent construction or residential use.
A non aedificandi zone is delimited along the sea, river and lake shores, the regime of which is determined by the legislation governing public land.
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