Significance of Marine sand

• Marine sand – sand and gravel in the ocean and coastal environment – is an important environmental asset. 
• It links and protects marine and terrestrial ecosystems, enhances coastal resilience against storms, protects coastal aquifers from salination and supports biodiversity, fisheries, and other blue economy activities. 

What is marine sand extraction?

• Marine sand extraction, also known as marine sand mining or dredging, refers to the process of removing sand and other sediments from the seabed or the ocean floor.

Impacts of marine sand extraction

• Dredging can disturb the natural habitats on the seabed, affecting marine ecosystems. The removal of sand can disrupt the balance of underwater ecosystems, impacting marine life and biodiversity.
• The dredging process can result in the suspension of sediments in the water, affecting water clarity and light penetration. This can have consequences for marine organisms that depend on light for their survival.
• Excessive sand extraction can contribute to shoreline erosion, as it removes sediments that may play a role in maintaining the stability of coastal areas.
• The disturbance caused by sand extraction can affect fish habitats and impact local fisheries.

Why in News?

• According to a study by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), around 6 billion tons of marine sand is being dug up each year in a growing practice that is unsustainable and can wipe out local marine life irreversibly.
• Sand is the most exploited natural resource in the world after water but its extraction for use in industries like construction is only loosely governed, prompting the U.N. to pass a resolution last year to promote more sustainable mining.
• While globally the 6 billion being extracted is less than the sand deposited annually by the world’s rivers, in some areas the removal is surpassing replenishment rates.
• The South China Sea, the North Sea and the east coast of the United States are among the areas where the most dredging has occurred.

Marine sand-watch

• UNEP has also launched a new platform ‘Marine Sand Watch’ backed by funding from the Swiss government that monitors dredging activities using marine tracking and artificial intelligence.

Related Information

About UNEP

• The UNEP is the leading environmental authority in the United Nations system. 
• It was founded as a result of the UN Conference on the Human Environment (also known as the Stockholm Conference) in 1972. 
• One of UNEP’s most widely recognized activities is Earthwatch, an international monitoring system designed to facilitate the exchange of environmental information among governments.