YEMEN Press Agency

Yemeni researcher warns of escalating Emirati plundering of coral reefs in Socotra

SOCOTRA, Oct. 29 (YPA) – Yemeni researcher Ahmed Al-Rumaili Al-Suqatri has revealed an escalation in the plundering of rare coral stones from the coasts of the Yemeni Socotra archipelago.

He accused Emirati companies of being behind the collection and shipment of these stones, which have washed up on the shores, to the UAE.

“This new commercial exploitation of the archipelago’s resources, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is turning coral stones into an economic resource for the UAE, where they are used extensively in construction,” he clarified.

The researcher cautioned that the situation would become even more dangerous if the collection of stones were to extend to their direct removal from the sea, leading to a serious environmental disaster.

He called for community intervention to stop this environmental and historical depletion of the island’s resources.

AA