Sanaa warns of environmental disaster following mass death of dolphins in Socotra

SANAA, June 05 (YPA) – The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries in the Sanaa government has condemned what it called an environmental crime off Socotra’s coast, following the mass death of over 80 dolphins in the Neet region of Qalansiyah.

In a statement, the ministry said this was the second such incident in a short time, warning of serious threats to the island’s marine ecosystem.

It blamed possible chemical or acoustic pollution from foreign vessels operating illegally in Yemeni waters, accusing the UAE of being behind these activities under the cover of development projects.

The statement said the phenomenon was unlikely to be natural, pointing to suspected human interference and marine pollution. It also cited other possible causes, including disease outbreaks or oceanic changes affecting dolphin behavior.

Calling the deaths a violation of Yemeni sovereignty, the ministry urged a national and international investigation and called on the UN and global environmental bodies to intervene.

It also appealed to Socotra residents to protect their marine environment.

@E.Y.M