Oil Spill Off Yemen’s Shabwah Coast Threatens Local Fishermen’s Livelihoods
(AWP) - Saleh Ali al-Jaash was forced to travel a long distance away from his usual fishing spot off the coasts of Rudum district in the Shabwah province, southeastern Yemen, due to an oil spill that has polluted the water and killed marine life in the area.
The coasts of Ayn Bamabad are facing an environmental disaster after large quantities of crude oil spilled over hundreds of meters due to a dilapidated oil pipeline that links the production fields in the area of Ayadh, west of Shabwah, to the export port in Nashima overlooking the Arabian Sea.
Jaash complained, “We have been harmed a lot by this oil slick. Our livelihoods rely on fishing in the area of Nashima. We have not seen any officials follow up on the developments on the ground or explain what is happening.”
He continued, “Oil spots have started to show up on some fish, and others are migrating from the Nashima and Jaalah areas. This has forced fishermen to sail longer distances despite high fuel prices. We had to leave and travel a long way, away from our homes and areas.”
Fishermen are demanding serious action to address the catastrophic effects of the environmental pollution off the Shabwah coast and the damage caused to marine life amid fears of future risks if the problem is not quickly remedied.
Fisherman Farish Bamabad urged relevant authorities to quickly intervene to handle the effects of the oil spill and prevent its spread to other areas in the sea, which he described as the sole source of income for him and his family.
“There is damage from this oil spill. It certainly affects the sea, fishermen, customers and citizens,” he said in an agonized tone.
Fishermen in the area reported that oil slicks have formed on the water surface near the coasts of Ayn Bamabad, Jaalah and Bir Ali, which are all key habitats for migratory birds and many marine creatures.
They also noted the smell of diesel suddenly invading the coastal air while clumps of crude oil have piled up on the beach alongside perished birds and fish.
Community activist Mohamed Abed warned of the dangers of the oil slick and its short-term effects on the health and environment, accusing the authorities of “failing to act quickly and seriously before the problem worsens.”
He said, “The oil spill off the coasts of Shabwah, in the area of Ayn Bamabad is an environmental disaster for the marine ecosystem. It has severely harmed fishermen who rely on fishing as their only source of income.”
Abed continued, “We, the people of Rudum district and Shabwah province, call for increased awareness and urge the relevant authorities to expedite the treatment of this spill to avoid greater harm and the possibility of it spreading to other areas and causing further damage to marine life and coral reefs.”
Oil spills impact the productivity of fisheries and lead to reluctance of customers to buy fish due to contamination concerns. They also cause fishing activities to cease in polluted areas as fishermen fear damaging their equipment and tools.