OP-ED: Northeastern State’s Underwater Dilemma—Protecting Our Oceans, Securing Our Legacy

OP-ED| Picture this: around 140 dolphins gathered lifeless on the shores of Northeastern State. It’s a somber spectacle akin to the opening scene of a drama that speaks volumes about the invisible turmoil brewing under the sea’s surface. Out of these, only 30 made a miraculous return to the ocean, a poignant reminder of the silent cries of our marine ecosystems. This isn’t just an isolated mishap; it’s the proverbial canary in the coal mine, alerting us to the grave threats our oceanic treasures face. Will we heed this call? Can Northeastern State, Somalia, and the global fraternity step up to halt the degradation and champion marine conservation?

Stretching over a breathtaking 1,600 kilometers, Northeastern State’s coast is more than just a pretty line on a map. It’s the lifeline for countless families, a testament to the region’s resilience, weaving stories of survival and prosperity. Whether through bustling fishing communities, flourishing tourism, or thriving coastal trade, the sea is the invisible engine driving our economy. But here’s the rub: the sea, our bountiful benefactor, is buckling under immense pressure. Ever wondered what happens when fish stocks are depleted faster than you can say “fishing rod” or when marine pollution converts vibrant ecosystems into toxic wastelands? Dolphins washing ashore isn’t just a bad day at the beach; it’s a glaring red flag.

Dolphins, those inquisitive “sentinels of the sea,” are our marine ecosystem’s smoke detectors. When they show up stranded, it’s a harrowing SOS from our oceans. Experts point fingers at a cocktail of human activities—deafening ship noises, carelessly discarded plastics, and pirate fishing techniques. The misery they endure echoes the dissonance within our marine balance, a balance dangerously teetering on the brink of collapse. Are we truly listening?

Now, consider this: what if this imbalance spirals into a socio-economic tornado? Picture an economy tangled in the nets of declining fish stocks and failing ecosystems. It paints a grim picture of increasing poverty and inequality, a scenario where marine life’s woes trickle down to strangling the communities’ lifelines.

Faced with such stark realities, where do we steer our ship? The path to redemption is anything but simple and begs for more than half-baked efforts. How about embarking on an odyssey of comprehensive transformation fueled by enlightened minds, one that begins with education and empowerment? Sure, awareness drives are like life jackets, but without the boat of substantial investments in scientific training and research, how far can we really go? Imagine Northeastern State emerging as the beacon of marine science and conservation. Sounds like a ballad of hope, doesn’t it?

Envision a Northeastern State where our learning hubs pulse with specialized programs in marine science and fisheries management. Scholarships and collaborations with international academia—not just big words, but practical steps to foster the custodians of our seas. Picture an environmental laboratory, our very own detective unit to sniff out marine health anomalies and dissect pollutants. Armed with concrete data, crafting policies becomes less like shooting arrows in the dark.

But wait, marine conservation cannot sail in its own bubble. It’s part of a larger ecological tapestry. From deforestation’s chainsaw music to desertification’s creeping dust, our environmental challenges are a symphony of interconnected dilemmas. As communities totter on the edge of change, robust marine ecosystems promise a sliver of hope. They’re not just majestic; they’re climate warriors, carbon sinks doing their bit in the battle against global warming. Aren’t our oceans worth every ounce of effort to shield them?

We mustn’t forget the ghosts of 1991, a pivotal era when Somalia’s governance unraveled, leaving our coasts exposed to nefarious external greed. Pirates didn’t just sail the seas; they hijacked our natural wealth. With Northeastern State guarding the longest coastline, the stakes couldn’t be higher.

But here’s the silver lining: Northeastern State has been a phoenix, rising amidst trials, demonstrating resilience and leadership. Yet, the seas hum a tune of impending challenges requiring collective strength. Wouldn’t it be a grand gesture for the international community to extend their hand, acknowledging the strategic prowess of Somalia’s coasts? Support in the form of funds for marine initiatives, technological leaps for regulation, and partnerships in research aren’t just wishful dreams; they’re vital.

Those stranded dolphins aren’t just casualties; they’re emissaries of our marine past. Serving as nature’s poignant reminder of our bond with sea—a bond pleading for urgent intervention, a plea echoing the question of whether our oceans, finite and delicate, receive the care they deserve.

Here’s our chance to authorship a green legacy. By harnessing education, equipping communities, and collaborating globally, we could very well script Northeastern State’s future as a pioneer of sustainable marine stewardship. The ocean has been kind—a source of community, identity, hope. Perhaps it’s time we reciprocate this generosity, safeguarding it for generations yet to come.

Mohamad Abdirahman Mohamed “Farole” – Minister of Environment, Range, and Climate Change, Northeastern State

Report by Axadle