In line with the UNs’ theme of ‘Revitalisation: Collective Action for the Ocean’ stakeholders came together to remove abandoned fishing nets entangled in the coral of the protected Daymaniyat Islands.
Muscat – Oman Sail proudly teamed up with sister company SeaOman, official logistics provider DB Schenker Oman (formally known as Schenker Khimji’s LLC), environmental partner Environment Society of Oman (ESO) and the Environment Authority to mark the United Nations (UN) World Oceans Day, on Wednesday, June 8.
In line with the UNs’ theme of ‘Revitalisation: Collective Action for the Ocean’ stakeholders came together to remove abandoned fishing nets entangled in the coral of the protected Daymaniyat Islands. SeaOman provided powerboats, dive equipment, divers and cutting tools to support the volunteers and the Environment Authority waived the cost of the visit permits and assisted with the removal of the nets.
It took 9 divers and 7 snorkellers, surface support volunteers over 2 hours to safely remove the nets. In the process the team were able to release fish that had been caught in the nets, 10 metres below the surface.
The critically endangered Hawksbill turtles watched as the divers patiently and carefully cut the fishing nets entangled in the coral, it was a relief for all that the abandoned nets, that weighed approximately 200kg, were removed from the seabed.
World Wildlife Fund (WWF) have reported that on average between 500,000 and one million tons of fishing equipment are abandoned in the ocean each year. In 2018, Earth.Org shared that up to 650,000 marine animals are killed by abandoned nets every year.
Dr Khamis Al Jabri, Oman Sail CEO, said, “Omanis have a unique bond with the water, it is our duty to preserve it for generations to come and the thousands of species of marine life living in the sea and onshore. In partnership with our stakeholders, we are keen to annually take great strides in conservation, by reducing our impact on the environment in every aspect of operations on this day and every day.”
Richard van Schie, Managing Director from DB Schenker Oman, said, “DB Schenker shares Oman Sail’s vision for sustainability in Oman and is pioneering clean logistics in the industry as it’s committed to becoming carbon-neutral by 2040. To reach this ambitious goal, we have invested in renewable energies to support customers with their transport needs while meeting environmental targets. Being able to support World Oceans Day ties into our ongoing efforts to confront climate change by clearing the seas of man-made waste, taking action on behalf of the ocean and protecting the wildlife and the communities that depend on it.”
World Wildlife Fund (WWF) have reported that on average between 500,000 and one million tons of fishing equipment are abandoned in the ocean each year. In 2018, Earth.Org shared that up to 650,000 marine animals are killed by abandoned nets every year.
Suaad Al Harthi, Executive Director, ESO said, “Our ocean covers 70% of the world’s surface, accounts for 80% of the planet’s biodiversity and produces at least 50% of the planet’s oxygen. We are hugely dependent on it for our own health and yet we continue to take more from the ocean than can be replenished. It is our shared duty to protect it.
“Abandoned fishing gear is the most significant source of entanglements in all documented records regarding sea turtles and other marine animals. These entanglements result in injury and often death.
“We continue to advocate for all fishing communities to ensure that fishing nets are disposed of appropriately. We also call on the public to do their part – dispose of your litter correctly and limit your consumption of single use plastics to help reduce the amount of plastics entering the ocean each year”, he added.
Oman Vision 2040 emphasises the need to protect coral and marine creatures as part of the environmental pillar focusing on preserving the nation’s beauty for future generations. Oman Sail encourages everyone to take the UN #CleanSeas pledge to reduce or eliminate single use plastic in everyday life.
To watch our underwater clean dive please click here to find out more about World Oceans Day, please visit https://unworldoceansday.org/ To follow or take part in World Oceans Day on social media, please use the hashtag #WorldOceansDay
About Oman Sail:
Operating under Oman Tourism Development Company, Oman Sail is tasked with rekindling the country’s maritime eminence, promote the Sultanate around the world through sailing, contribute to the sustainable prosperity of the nation and provide long-term learning opportunities for the youth. Since 2008, Oman Sail has built a solid foundation around Sailing,
Tourism, Commerce, Health and Environment, all underpinned with competency-based development for its workforce. Committed to offering both men and women equal opportunities to learn, Oman Sail’s programmes focus on nurturing young talent to develop the sailing champions of tomorrow, increasing revenue in the tourism, activity and experiential learning markets and gaining prominent international exposure for the country.
The company has a strong track record in delivering a portfolio of events across the Sultanate to showcase Oman’s natural beauty, tourism potential, the people’s hospitality, and the infrastructure readiness for business opportunities. More information can be found on www.omansail.com
For media inquiries, please contact:
Assim Al Saqri
Head of Communications
+968 93807401
Badar Al Abri
PR Specialist
+968 97084744
More information can be found on our website: www.omansail.com
Stay up to date:
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/OmanSail
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/OmanSail
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/OmanSailTeam
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/OmanSail
************************************************************
Readers
These are extraordinary times. All of us have to rely on high-impact, trustworthy journalism. And this is especially true of the Indian Diaspora. Members of the Indian community overseas cannot be fed with inaccurate news.
Pravasi Samwad is a venture that has no shareholders. It is the result of an impassioned initiative of a handful of Indian journalists spread around the world. We have taken the small step forward with the pledge to provide news with accuracy, free from political and commercial influence. Our aim is to keep you, our readers, informed about developments at ‘home’ and across the world that affect you.
Please help us to keep our journalism independent and free.
In these difficult times, to run a news website requires finances. While every contribution, big or small, will makes a difference, we request our readers to put us in touch with advertisers worldwide. It will be a great help.
For more information: pravasisamwad00@gmail.com