Socotra

Somalia's Exclusive Economic Zone encompasses critical marine ecosystems along the Horn of Africa's extensive coastline, stretching over 3,300 kilometers from the Gulf of Aden to the Indian Ocean. This region supports diverse marine life including dugongs, sea turtles, and numerous endemic fish species. However, the biodiversity crisis is severe—all 199 assessed species are critically endangered according to IUCN Red List 2025 data, representing a complete taxonomic collapse across mammals, birds, amphibians, and invertebrates. The primary threats stem from decades of political instability that have eliminated effective marine protection. Illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing by foreign vessels has devastated fish stocks and marine ecosystems. Coastal infrastructure destruction has eliminated nesting sites for sea turtles and breeding grounds for seabirds. Pollution from unregulated waste disposal and oil spills compounds these pressures. The absence of functional government institutions has prevented enforcement of fishing quotas or establishment of marine protected areas. Somalia's coral reefs, particularly around the Bajuni Islands, face bleaching from rising sea temperatures and physical destruction from destructive fishing practices. Mangrove forests along the southern coast have been cleared for charcoal production and coastal development. Without immediate intervention and political stabilization, Somalia's marine biodiversity faces potential ecosystem collapse within the next decade.