Muscat: The Sultanate of Oman, represented by the Environment Agency, will mark World Oceans Day on June 8. It will highlight the 2022 theme of “Revitalisation: collective action for the ocean”.
The ocean covers over 70 per cent of the planet. It is our life source, supporting humanity’s sustenance and that of every other organism on earth.
The ocean produces at least 50 per cent of the planet’s oxygen, it is home to most of earth’s biodiversity, and is the main source of protein for more than a billion people around the world. Not to mention, the ocean is key to our economy with an estimated 40 million people being employed by ocean-based industries by 2030.
Even with all its benefits, the ocean is now in need of support.
With 90 per cent of big fish populations depleted, and 50 per cent of coral reefs destroyed, we are taking more from the ocean than can be replenished. We need to work together to create a new balance with the ocean that no longer depletes its bounty but instead restores its vibrancy and brings it new life.
“Revitalisation: collective action for the ocean” is the theme for World Oceans Day 2022, a year framed by the UN Decade of Ocean Science and the celebration of the United Nations Ocean Conference, two years after being cancelled because of the pandemic.
World Oceans Day reminds every one of the major role the oceans have in everyday life. They are the lungs of our Planet and a major source of food and medicine and a critical part of the biosphere.
The purpose of the Day is to inform the public of the impact of human actions on the ocean, develop a worldwide movement of citizens for the ocean, and mobilise and unite the world’s population on a project for the sustainable management of the world’s oceans.
The Environment Agency explained that the celebration of this occasion comes within the framework of concern for coral reefs, which are one of the most important marine resources and ecosystems and are present in five main areas in the various governorates of the Sultanate of Oman.
The authority indicated that the coral reef ecosystem constitutes an integrated system, as the composition of its biodiversity does not consist not only of coral reefs, but also of a large number of marine organisms associated with it.
The authority stated that the abundance of mangroves on the coasts of the Sultanate of Oman is an important food source for many fish, crustaceans and different types of birds, whether they are endemic or migratory, in addition to the presence of coral reefs.
The authority confirmed that the Sultanate of Oman has made great efforts to preserve coral reef environments by implementing a national plan for its management and developing a plan for periodic cleaning campaigns for coral reef environments.
The authority pointed out that the marine environment is characterised by biodiversity that made it one of the richest and most diverse marine environments in the world. The coast of the Sultanate of Oman extends over 3,165 kilometres with more than 21 species of whales and dolphins, in addition to five species of sea turtles.
The authority added that it is continuing its efforts to study coral reef environments in the Musandam Governorate and rehabilitation and cultivation of coral reefs in the Daymaniyat Islands Reserve.
The authority indicated that it is continuing to work on organising campaigns to remove waste especially fishing nets and gear from coastal areas with the support of the public and private sectors and the local population.
The authority indicated that the cleaning campaigns aim to protect coral reefs, in addition to raising awareness among people and fishermen about the importance of these marine life and their positive role in maintaining the marine ecological balance.