NIMA discourse highlights criticality of Pakistan’s ocean health

KARACHI: The National Institute of Maritime Affairs (NIMA) organized a maritime discourse to celebrate the “World Ocean Day” to raise global awareness of the vital importance of oceans and the role they play in sustaining a healthy planet.

The global theme of this year is “The Ocean: Life and Livelihoods” shedding light on the wonders of the ocean and how it sustains humanity and other organisms on earth. The oceans produce at least 50% of the planet’s oxygen and is home to most of earth’s biodiversity, nourishing billions and employing millions worldwide. Humanity’s interconnectivity to the ocean is core to our identities, cultures and ways of life.

During the virtual maritime discourse, maritime experts dilated upon the importance of oceans and how billions of people rely on the ocean for their livelihood. Vice Admiral (retd) Abdul Aleem, Director General NIMA, welcomed the participants and highlighted the importance of oceans to mankind. DG NIMA said the main objective of observing the World Oceans Day is to mobilize and unite the global citizens to protect and sustain the world oceans and to remind everyone of the major role the oceans have in everyday life. The ocean is the heart of our planet and its contributions to the society are countless. Oceans are the provider of food and source of life for millions of biota, besides a major source of food and medicine for humans. This year’s theme offers an opportunity to start a decade of challenges to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 14: “Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources”.

Barrister Murtaza Wahab, Advisor to Chief Minister of Sindh on Law, Environment, Coastal Development & Climate Change was the chief guest on the occasion. During his address, he said Pakistan is blessed with over 1000 kms coastline and it is a our duty to keep our seas free from pollution and government of Sindh is fully aware of this. He further said that government is keen to take measures to preserve the ocean and the Sindh government has accordingly planned to install three sewage treatment plants in Karachi. Dr. Nuzhat Khan, former DG of NIO said, “Plastic pollution has a direct and deadly effect on the ocean life, biodiversity and consequently on sociological and economic aspect of life. Dr. Tahir Rasheed, Director World Wildlife Fund and a marine expert also presented an informative talk. He said, “history depicts that all the modern civilizations and urban developments in the world have always had a coastal community as its nucleus to start”.

Ms. Naghmana Zafar, senior researcher at NIMA said, “the ocean health in Pakistan is critical and needs special attention. Pakistan cannot achieve any objectives related to blue economy or sustainable development without ensuring healthy and protected oceans. She said, our maritime zones are vulnerable to many nontraditional and traditional threats and we need to work on war footing to ensure sustainability in maritime domain”. Dr. Samina Kidwai, DG NIO was the last speaker. She said, that National Institute of Oceanography is playing significant role in scientific research about oceans and seas. She further said, that NIO is the only institute in Pakistan which is capable of undertaking oceanographic ventures with the support of Pakistan Navy.

Admiral (retd) Muhammad Zakaullah NI(M), former Chief of the Naval Staff speaking on the occasion as guest of honour, said that NIMA is playing a vital role for research and advocacy in maritime domain and it should become a focal point for collaboration with other such institutes in Pakistan. He further said that the government should install plastic recycling facilities on beaches to reduce plastic pollution.

The event was attended by a large number of eminent personalities and domain experts, serving and retired naval personnel, govt officials, faculty members, students and other maritime stakeholders. In the end the DG NIMA V/Adm (retd) Abdul Aleem HI(M) thanked the chief guest, the speakers and participants for their participation.