Fishing communities in Bander Beyla and Zeila celebrated World Oceans Day on June 8, 2021 with a beach cleanup and discussions.
June 8th was World Oceans Day, an annual celebration organized by the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea. Two of the coastal fishing communities affiliated with Secure Fisheries hosted celebratory. Some members of the Bandar Beyla community also participated in the UN’s virtual celebration, adding their voices to the “Faces of the Sea” segment.
Bander Beyla’s Ceenaad Fishing Cooperative organized a beach cleanup (pictured below) and celebration. Fishing and related activities are the main source of local income and an integral part of the community’s culture. They know firsthand the importance of maintaining the health of the local marine environment, so they are proud to contribute to the global effort to conserve the ocean and its many resources.
The Co-Management Association of Saylac, Somaliland also observed World Oceans Day 2021 with speakers and festivities (pictured below) to honor the ocean and the resources it provides to the community. The community discussed the value of their extensive and diverse local marine habitats and acknowledged their continued efforts to conserve the marine environment. Speakers included the regional governor, mayor, Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries Development regional officer, the chair of the co-management association, and Secure Fisheries' staff.
Secure Fisheries has partnered with fisheries stakeholders in Bander Beyla and Zeila to develop cooperative fisheries management and empower the community to conserve their local resources with government support. Find out more about these efforts here.
