THE continued increase in marine pollution has reached an alarming level and has major detrimental effects on aquatic life and the ecosystem. Feeding undercooked or non-recommended food to marine life is illegal worldwide, and is considered to be one of the several causes of accelerated loss of species.

However, what happens as a routine at Karachi’s oceanfront restaurants is quite frustrating. Even educated citizens are seen tossing leftovers into the ocean to attract fish to the shore, completely disregarding how it contributes to marine pollution, ecosystem destruction and species extinction.

Moving on, the practice is harmful for marine life, and it must be highlighted through multiple platforms that human food is not meant for aquatic life. Instead, it can kill them. In fact, we should remember that feeding marine life is a science, and requires professional handling and strategy.

The relevant authorities should take all possible precautionary measures, and also make it mandatory for all seafront restaurants to have proper and visible signs to discourage people from feeding and polluting marine life. This will help protect marine life and contribute to efforts being made to address the larger issue of ecological imbalance in Karachi.

Mohib Sauleh Lateef
Karachi

Published in Dawn, July 2nd, 2024