African Seas and Oceans Day: between rescue and preservation

Rescue efforts for the MV Ultra Galaxy cargo ship are continuing in a remote coastal area of the Western Cape. Led by the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA), the operation aims to remove the vessel’s low-sulphur fuel, hydraulic oils and fertiliser cargo. Faced with difficult weather conditions, the rescue teams are working hard to avoid an ecological disaster in the Duiwegat region.

The 124.56-metre vessel, built in 2008, was abandoned by its 18 Filipino sailors after developing an excessive list and running aground on the evening of Tuesday 9 July 2024. The crew were rescued and evacuated to St Helena Bay, where they received routine medical treatment. An investigation is underway to determine the causes of the incident.

African Maritime Day: a pillar for sustainable development

Maritime incidents such as that involving the MV Ultra Galaxy underline the urgent need for greater regional cooperation to preserve marine ecosystems. And this is precisely one of the objectives of the African Seas and Oceans Day, celebrated every 25 July. This is a significant event on the African continent. The day was established in 2015 by the African Union (AU) as part of the ‘Decade of African Seas and Oceans’ (2015-2025). Its main objective is to raise awareness of the importance of the seas and oceans for Africa’s sustainable development, while highlighting the need to protect them. The creation of this day is part of the African Integrated Strategy for the Oceans and Seas to 2050 (AIM 2050). This strategy aims to promote a prosperous, sustainable and environmentally-friendly blue economy in Africa.

Through this day, the AU is striving to unify the position of African states in international negotiations, particularly those under the aegis of the United Nations, for the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity beyond national jurisdictions.

A turnover of 1,500 billion dollars in 2018

The importance of the seas and oceans to the continent’s development is undeniable. According to Maritimafrica, a media group (website, magazine, social network accounts and podcast) dedicated to the maritime sector in Africa, in 2018, the total annual economic value of sea-related activities in Africa amounted to 1,500 billion dollars.

To consolidate this economic potential, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) published a Roadmap for the Decade of the Ocean for Africa in 2020. The document aims to strengthen coordination and synergies between the various stakeholders, such as governments, the maritime sector, United Nations agencies, civil society and the scientific community. The roadmap identifies the major gaps and challenges in ocean science and serves as a basis for guiding investment in scientific infrastructure and capacity over the long term.

Geographically, Africa is bordered by several oceans and seas that play a crucial role in its climate, economy and biodiversity. The continent is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the west, the Indian Ocean to the east and the Mediterranean Sea to the north. These vast bodies of water not only provide abundant natural resources, such as fish and undersea minerals, but are also crucial routes for international trade. However, Africa’s oceans and seas are under threat from pollution, overfishing and the effects of climate change. Hence the importance of this day, which aims to mobilise efforts to protect these precious marine ecosystems, which are essential to the well-being and prosperity of the people of Africa.