Turning the tide into the right direction for oceans

Observer

14-07-2025

There's a saying you often hear in coastal communities: 'When the ocean is sick, the land will soon follow.' It might sound like just another old proverb, but in 2025, it has started to feel more real than ever.
The ocean covers more than 70 per cent of the Earth's surface. It gives us over half the oxygen we breathe and helps keep our climate in balance by soaking up heat and carbon dioxide. It is home to millions of species. And for more than three billion people, it is a source of food, jobs and income. But despite everything the ocean does for us, we are still harming it.
From overfishing and pollution to oil spills and climate change, the pressure keeps piling up. One of the worst practices is bottom trawling, dragging huge nets across the seafloor, which destroys marine life and releases carbon that had been safely stored in the seabed. Coral reefs are also in serious trouble. These underwater ecosystems protect our coastlines and support about a quarter of all marine species. But many are dying fast. All over the world, coastal communities are seeing the signs: fewer fish, bleached corals and beaches covered in plastic.
In June 2025, world leaders, scientists and environmentalists met in Nice, France, for the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3). Co-hosted by France and Costa Rica, the event was more than just another big meeting; it was a strong reminder that we need to move faster to save our oceans.
One big outcome was the Nice Ocean Action Plan, where countries made voluntary promises to better protect the ocean. India said it would ratify the High Seas Treaty. France called for tougher action, including a carbon tax on international shipping and more funding for sustainable "blue" industries. Around that same week, people around the world marked World Ocean Day on June 8, with the theme 'Sustainable Fishing Means More.' The next day, Coral Triangle Day was celebrated in Southeast Asia, focusing on the need to protect one of the world's richest marine areas.
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It might all sound far away, but it's not. Oman, for example, has one of the longest coastlines in the region, and the sea has always been a big part of who we are. Our history, our trade, our food; it's all tied to the ocean.
But that connection means we also have a duty to protect it. There is a lot we can do. We can tighten the rules on coastal pollution and over-development. We can support more responsible fishing and invest in aquaculture. We can create more marine reserves where nature has space to recover.
Oman has already added ocean education to school curriculum, helping young people understand the ocean's true value, not just as a fun place to visit but as something that keeps us alive. Oman is also active in global talks on marine protection and plastic waste.
Saving the ocean isn't just about saving fish or coral. It's about protecting our climate, our food, our jobs and our future. Everything is connected to the sea. The good news?
More people are paying attention. Governments are talking. Campaigns are gaining momentum. But talk isn't enough. We need real actions that are bold, consistent and guided by science. Admiring the sea during a sunset walk is nice, but it's not enough. We have to stand up for it. Because our lives depend on it. The tide is turning, so let's make sure it turns in the right direction.