Saving our sea for the sake of life and security for all

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Dr. Farrukh A. Chishtie

The Arabian Sea, stretching along Pakistan's 1,046-kilometer coastline, has long been a cornerstone of the nation's identity and prosperity. However, escalating environmental challenges now threaten its vitality, posing significant risks to both ecological balance and human well-being.

The Arabian Sea: A lifeline under threat

Pakistan's coastal regions are grappling with a confluence of environmental issues. Climate change has led to rising sea temperatures and altered monsoon patterns, resulting in more frequent and intense storms. These changes have caused severe flooding and coastal erosion, particularly in low-lying areas like Gwadar. In February 2025, Gwadar experienced 30 consecutive hours of rainfall, leading to widespread infrastructure damage and displacement of communities. The city's vulnerability is exacerbated by inadequate sewage and drainage systems, making it increasingly susceptible to such climatic events.

Pollution further compounds these challenges. Karachi, Pakistan's largest city, discharges approximately 480 million gallons of untreated wastewater into the sea daily, devastating marine life and degrading water quality. This pollution not only harms aquatic ecosystems but also jeopardizes the health and livelihoods of coastal communities dependent on fishing and tourism.

Embracing occupational security: A holistic approach

Addressing these multifaceted threats requires a paradigm shift from traditional security frameworks to a more inclusive concept known as occupational security. Here occupations mean the daily activities of both humans and non-humans, and this framework extends the scope of health professions including occupational therapy and occupational science. This framework, based on sacredness of life emphasizes the interconnectedness of human and environmental well-being, advocating for policies that ensure the safety and sustainability of both.

Occupational security calls for:

• Sustainability: Implementing practices that protect marine biodiversity and ensure the long-term viability of coastal economies.

• Justice: Ensuring equitable access to resources and opportunities for all communities, particularly those most affected by environmental degradation.

• Peace: Fostering collaboration among stakeholders to mitigate conflicts over resource use and environmental management.

• Compassion: Recognizing the intrinsic value of all life forms and the importance of preserving natural habitats.

• Authenticity and Accuracy: Promoting transparency and accountability in environmental governance and decision-making.

By adopting this comprehensive framework, Pakistan can develop resilient strategies that not only address immediate environmental concerns but also lay the foundation for a sustainable and secure future.

A call to action

The challenges facing the Arabian Sea are complex and interlinked, demanding coordinated efforts across all sectors of society. Government agencies, civil society, academia, and local communities must collaborate to implement effective policies, raise awareness, and mobilize resources. Protecting the Arabian Sea is not merely an environmental imperative but a national priority that underpins the health, security, and prosperity of Pakistan.

As we delve deeper into the specific dimensions of occupational security in the following sections, it becomes clear that safeguarding our sea is integral to securing our collective future.

Sustainability: Protecting our marine legacy for future generations

The Arabian Sea is more than a source of national pride. it's a lifeline for millions of Pakistanis, directly supporting livelihoods through fisheries, trade, tourism, and transportation. However, decades of unsustainable practices threaten its ecological balance and economic potential, posing severe risks for current and future generations.

More generally, seas and oceans play an essential role in addressing climate change through both mitigation and adaptation strategies. From a mitigation perspective, marine ecosystems like mangroves, seagrasses, and salt marshes are potent carbon sinks, efficiently absorbing and storing significant amounts of atmospheric carbon dioxide, thereby reducing global greenhouse gas concentrations. Moreover, oceans regulate global temperatures by absorbing excess heat, buffering extreme climate impacts. From an adaptation standpoint, healthy marine ecosystems bolster resilience against climate-related hazards: mangroves and coral reefs act as natural barriers protecting coastal communities from rising sea levels and storm surges. Sustainable management of marine resources also provides adaptive pathways for vulnerable communities, offering alternative livelihoods and enhancing food security amidst changing climatic conditions. Investing in ocean health thus emerges as a critical component of comprehensive climate solutions, simultaneously mitigating emissions and strengthening societal resilience to climate risks.

The fishing industry, central to Pakistan's economy and food security, is experiencing unprecedented stress. Overfishing driven by poorly regulated industrial operations, including deep-sea trawlers from foreign and local entities, has drastically reduced fish stocks, disrupting traditional small-scale fisheries and pushing coastal communities toward poverty and food insecurity. In Sindh and Baluchistan, artisanal fishermen, whose livelihoods have depended on sustainable fishing practices passed down through generations, now face an uncertain future as the abundance and diversity of marine species decline sharply.

Climate change exacerbates these challenges. Rising ocean temperatures have increased the frequency and severity of extreme weather events, including cyclones and heavy rains. In recent years, Pakistan has experienced devastating floods linked directly to climate change, destroying coastal infrastructure and displacing communities, particularly in vulnerable areas like Gwadar and the Indus Delta region. Sea-level rise accelerates coastal erosion, threatening biodiversity-rich ecosystems, including mangrove forests, which provide critical natural barriers against flooding and sustain marine life.

To ensure the sustainability of Pakistan's marine heritage, a paradigm shift towards occupational security, a holistic, values-based approach, is urgently required. Practical measures such as establishing Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), enforcing fishing regulations, promoting community-based fisheries management, and investing in sustainable aquaculture can reverse harmful trends and rebuild marine biodiversity. Initiatives like mangrove reforestation along the Indus Delta have already shown promising results, demonstrating that proactive environmental stewardship can enhance both ecological resilience and community livelihoods.

By aligning development goals with principles of sustainability, Pakistan can protect the Arabian Sea, ensuring it remains a vibrant source of life, livelihood, and cultural identity for future generations. The time to act sustainably is now, preserving not only the environment but also our collective security and well-being.

Justice: Ensuring equitable security for coastal communities

The degradation of the Arabian Sea is not merely an environmental crisis—it is a stark reflection of social injustice. While coastal ecosystems are invaluable to Pakistan's economy, the communities that depend most directly on these resources often remain marginalized, bearing the brunt of environmental and economic vulnerabilities. The occupational security framework compels us to confront these inequities by promoting justice and fairness, ensuring security extends to all communities, particularly the historically underserved.

In regions such as Sindh and Baluchistan, coastal communities face persistent neglect, including inadequate infrastructure, limited healthcare, and minimal economic opportunities beyond subsistence fishing. As environmental conditions deteriorate, these vulnerabilities intensify. Displacement due to coastal erosion, flooding, and declining fisheries disproportionately impacts poor, marginalized populations, exacerbating existing socioeconomic disparities.

The effects of environmental injustice are starkly visible in Karachi, where untreated wastewater pollution significantly impacts local fisherfolk, whose livelihoods depend on clean water and healthy marine ecosystems. Wealthier communities rarely experience these direct consequences, highlighting the uneven distribution of environmental burdens.

Addressing these injustices requires a commitment to occupational justice—fair access to opportunities and the right to participate in decisions affecting community welfare. Policies must prioritize community-driven conservation and development, involving local voices in planning and decision-making processes. Equitable investment in infrastructure, healthcare, education, and economic diversification can empower coastal residents, building resilience against environmental threats.

Real justice involves recognizing the intrinsic rights of communities and ecosystems alike. Pakistan must adopt inclusive governance practices, where marginalized groups have meaningful representation and influence over their environmental and economic futures. By integrating justice into marine policy and management frameworks, Pakistan can transform the Arabian Sea into a source of security and dignity for all, securing both ecological integrity and social equity.

Peace: Building collaboration and preventing conflict

Environmental degradation and resource scarcity can fuel tensions, exacerbating existing conflicts or sparking new disputes. For Pakistan, the Arabian Sea is not only a crucial ecological resource but also strategically important, influencing regional stability, economic prosperity, and social cohesion. The occupational security framework emphasizes peace by advocating for collaborative management of marine resources, thus preventing conflicts and fostering mutual security.

Historically, competition for marine resources like fisheries has triggered disputes within and across national borders. Along Pakistan's coast, the presence of industrial and foreign trawlers has repeatedly ignited tensions with local artisanal fishermen, often leading to protests and confrontations. At the same time, coastal erosion and flooding driven by climate change displace communities, intensifying competition over limited land and resources and potentially escalating local conflicts.

Promoting peace in this context requires inclusive and proactive governance. Initiatives fostering dialogue among government agencies, local communities, and private sector stakeholders can help build consensus on resource use, ensuring all voices are heard and respected. Community-based marine resource management programs, where local groups collaboratively monitor and protect fisheries, have proven successful in diffusing tensions and creating collective ownership of environmental stewardship.

At the regional level, peace involves Pakistan engaging constructively with neighboring countries to address shared ecological threats. Joint research initiatives shared marine protection policies, and coordinated responses to pollution and climate risks can significantly mitigate transboundary tensions and enhance regional stability.

Ultimately, achieving peace through occupational security means prioritizing cooperation and mutual respect over competition and exclusion. By nurturing partnerships and emphasizing shared responsibilities for the Arabian Sea, Pakistan can create lasting peace and stability, protecting not only marine ecosystems but also the well-being and security of coastal communities.

Compassion: Extending care and respect beyond humans

Compassion, a central value within the occupational security framework, calls us to recognize and respond to the interconnectedness of all life forms. It urges a shift from purely economic or anthropocentric views toward an inclusive perspective, appreciating marine biodiversity and ecosystems not merely as resources, but as vital components deserving respect and care in their own right.

Pakistan’s coastal waters are home to an extraordinary variety of marine life, from endangered green turtles nesting on the sandy shores of Sindh and Baluchistan, to playful dolphins gliding through Karachi’s waters. Yet, pollution, climate change, and unsustainable fishing have put these remarkable creatures at severe risk. Compassionate conservation, exemplified by initiatives such as the Indus Delta mangrove reforestation and marine turtle conservation efforts led by local communities and environmental groups, illustrates how empathy can drive transformative action.

Compassion extends beyond direct conservation to reshaping how society interacts with nature. Indigenous coastal communities in Pakistan traditionally practiced marine stewardship based on reverence and sustainable living, understanding their deep, reciprocal relationship with the sea. Reviving and learning from these traditional practices reinforces the compassionate relationship between communities and marine life, promoting coexistence and ecological health.

Educational campaigns and community engagement programs that emphasize empathy and respect for marine ecosystems can foster a collective sense of responsibility. By nurturing this compassionate ethos among all stakeholders, from policymakers and corporate leaders to local fisherfolk and youth, Pakistan can significantly enhance the health of the Arabian Sea, securing its richness and resilience for future generations.

Through compassion, we recognize the profound interdependence between human and non-human lives, leading not only to a healthier environment but also to a deeper sense of community, belonging, and collective security. Saving our sea means safeguarding all life, ensuring dignity, safety, and thriving coexistence for humans and marine life alike.

Authenticity and accuracy: Fostering trust through transparency and accountability

Trust is the cornerstone of effective governance, especially when addressing complex environmental challenges such as those facing Pakistan’s Arabian Sea. The occupational security framework underscores the critical role of authenticity and accuracy. These are core values that demand transparency, honesty, and reliability in the stewardship of marine resources.

In recent years, misinformation and lack of transparent communication have undermined environmental management efforts in Pakistan. For instance, discrepancies in reporting marine pollution levels, underestimation of industrial wastewater discharge, and limited public access to accurate data have compromised public trust and impeded informed community participation. Such opacity allows harmful practices to persist unchecked, deepening environmental crises and social injustice.

To foster authenticity and accuracy, Pakistan must establish clear, accessible, and reliable mechanisms for environmental monitoring and reporting. Transparent sharing of data on marine pollution, fish stock assessments, climate impacts, and conservation outcomes is essential. Reliable information empowers communities, encourages public scrutiny, and ensures government and industry accountability. For instance, establishing open databases managed by independent scientific bodies and civil society groups can significantly improve accuracy and public trust.

Moreover, decision-making processes must involve genuine community participation. Coastal communities, often sidelined in policy decisions affecting their lives and livelihoods, should be active stakeholders in environmental management. Public forums, inclusive consultations, and meaningful community engagement are essential in ensuring policies reflect ground realities and community needs, thereby enhancing their effectiveness and legitimacy.

By upholding authenticity and accuracy, Pakistan can restore confidence among stakeholders, enabling collective action to sustainably manage the Arabian Sea. In doing so, transparency becomes more than a policy—it is a foundational ethic ensuring equitable and lasting security for both the environment and the people who depend upon it.

Integrating indigenous knowledge and relational perspectives

For centuries, Pakistan’s coastal communities have thrived through an intimate relationship with the Arabian Sea, guided by indigenous wisdom rooted deeply in respect, sustainability, and coexistence. This traditional ecological knowledge, often overlooked in contemporary environmental governance, holds invaluable insights for holistic marine management. The occupational security framework embraces these relational perspectives, affirming their critical role in fostering harmony between humans and nature.

Indigenous knowledge among coastal communities, particularly in Sindh and Baluchistan, emphasizes an interconnectedness with marine ecosystems. Traditional practices, such as sustainable fishing methods, community-managed seasonal fishing bans, and protection of critical habitats like mangroves reflect profound ecological understanding passed down through generations. These practices demonstrate an innate recognition of ecological balance, resource regeneration, and collective welfare.

Furthermore, relational approaches, informed by concepts like Actor-Network Theory, encourage viewing marine ecosystems not merely as resources but as active, interdependent networks of life forms, each influencing and sustaining the other. For example, mangrove ecosystems along the Indus Delta are recognized not simply for their economic utility but as vital non-human actors crucial to coastal resilience, marine biodiversity, and climate stability.

Integrating indigenous knowledge into modern policy requires respect, genuine dialogue, and mutual learning between indigenous communities, scientists, and policymakers. Encouraging community-based governance models can bridge the gap between traditional ecological wisdom and contemporary scientific methods. Initiatives like participatory coastal management programs, indigenous-led marine conservation areas, and culturally sensitive educational campaigns can strengthen environmental resilience while safeguarding cultural heritage.

By embracing indigenous knowledge and relational ethics, Pakistan can move toward a more inclusive, effective, and sustainable marine governance system. Recognizing these rich traditions not only enhances ecological health but also empowers coastal communities, securing a future where nature and culture flourish together in harmony.

A call to action: Securing the Arabian Sea for our future

The Arabian Sea, a source of immense ecological richness, economic vitality, and cultural identity, stands at a crossroads. The challenges confronting Pakistan’s coastline— ranging from climate-induced threats to unsustainable exploitation and environmental injustice—demand immediate and collective action. Securing the future of our sea means embracing occupational security as a holistic framework that integrates sustainability, justice, peace, compassion, authenticity, and indigenous relational wisdom.

Government agencies must lead decisively, implementing transparent and inclusive policies that protect marine ecosystems and empower marginalized coastal communities. Strengthening legal frameworks to enforce responsible fishing practices, preventing industrial pollution, and investing in climate-resilient infrastructure are urgent priorities.

Civil society and academia play crucial roles, providing research, monitoring, advocacy, and education. By fostering greater environmental awareness and amplifying community voices, these stakeholders can facilitate meaningful change and enhance accountability at all levels.

Local communities, as stewards and beneficiaries of marine health, must be actively involved in governance and resource management. Initiatives such as community-based fisheries management, participatory conservation programs, and indigenous-led environmental practices exemplify how grassroots leadership can effectively safeguard ecological and social well-being.

Individuals, too, have a powerful role in advocating for sustainable practices, demanding transparency, and contributing to conservation efforts. Personal responsibility, when collectively embraced, can drive profound transformations, ensuring the Arabian Sea remains vibrant for future generations.

Securing our sea means securing ourselves. By uniting efforts across government, civil society, academia, and local communities, guided by the principles of occupational security, Pakistan can protect its marine heritage, ensuring life, livelihood, and security for all, today and tomorrow. The responsibility and opportunity for action belong to us all. Let us act boldly, thoughtfully, and together, for the future of the Arabian Sea and the security of generations to come.

Marine Life in the Arabian Sea – A Rich Heritage Worth Protecting

The Arabian Sea along Pakistan’s coastline supports remarkable biodiversity:

• Fish Diversity:

  Home to over 250 fish species, including economically important species such as Pomfret, Tuna, Sardines, and Mackerel.

  
  

• Marine Mammals:

  Includes charismatic species like the Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin, spinner dolphin, and Bryde’s whale.

  
  

• Sea Turtles:

  Critical nesting sites for endangered Olive Ridley and Green turtles along Sindh and Baluchistan’s sandy beaches.

  
  

• Coral Reefs and Mangroves:

  Mangrove forests in the Indus Delta serve as nurseries for juvenile marine life and protect shorelines from erosion and storm surges.

  
  

  

  
  

• Birdlife:

  The coast serves as a vital migratory route and habitat for numerous bird species, including flamingos, pelicans, and migratory waders.

  
  

The health of this vibrant marine ecosystem is integral to Pakistan’s environmental and economic security. Conserving marine life ensures sustainable fisheries, promotes tourism, and preserves cultural heritage for future generations.