Dead Whale Washes Ashore in Kismaayo Amid Marine Threats

KISMAAYO, Somalia (Kaab TV) – Residents of the southern Somali coastal city of Kismaayo rushed to Kiboora beach on Saturday [16 August 2025] after a large dead whale washed ashore, sparking public curiosity and renewed concerns about the fragile state of Somalia’s marine environment.

The cause of the whale’s death remains unclear, but locals believe it drifted to shore during the night.

Fishermen suggested the animal may have been injured, forcing it away from deep waters until it died near the coast.

Crowds of men, women, and children gathered at the scene. Some came simply to witness the rare sight, while others carried machetes and knives in hopes of finding ambergris inside the whale’s carcass.

Ambergris is a solid, waxy, and flammable substance produced in the digestive system of sperm whales and is one of the most expensive natural materials in the world, fetching up to $40,000 per kilogram on international markets.

“I was nearby when I heard the whale had washed ashore. I wanted to see it, but by the time I arrived, it had already died,” said Aadan, one of the young men at the scene.

Another resident, Ahmed Nur, admitted he had rushed to the beach after hearing the commotion but found neither ambergris nor the whale alive.

As curious residents cut into the whale with knives, blood spilled onto the sand, raising concerns about public health and hygiene. Local authorities later deployed security forces to cordon off the area.

Kismaayo District Commissioner Omar Abdullahi Mohamed cautioned against speculation, saying the whale was not killed by people but had already died before reaching shore.

“Some people spread rumors that it was hunted. That is not true. It came ashore already dead,” Commissioner Omar said. The commissioner also warned of potential health hazards from the carcass.

This is the second time a whale has washed ashore in Kismaayo, highlighting growing anxieties about environmental changes along Somalia’s 3,300 km coastline — the longest in mainland Africa.

A Bigger Picture: The Threat of Illegal Fishing

Somalia’s marine ecosystem is under intense pressure. For decades, foreign vessels have engaged in illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing in Somali waters.

These industrial trawlers target high-value species such as tuna, sharks, lobsters, and snapper, depriving local fishermen of livelihoods and destabilizing marine biodiversity.

The destructive practice of bottom trawling tears apart coral reefs, seagrass beds, and spawning grounds essential for marine life.

Heavy nets not only capture fish but also trap non-target species, including turtles, dolphins, and juvenile fish.

“The depletion of fish stocks has left small-scale Somali fishermen struggling to survive. Illegal fishing doesn’t just steal resources — it also destroys the natural balance of our seas,” said a Kismaayo fisherman Hussein Bashir.

Sharks, often hunted for their fins, play a vital role in regulating the marine food chain. Overfishing them, scientists warn, could lead to an ecological collapse.

Experts also link whale strandings to broader environmental shifts, including climate change, pollution, and habitat destruction. Rising sea temperatures affect food availability for whales and other large marine species, while the degradation of Somalia’s marine habitats accelerates their vulnerability.

Kismaayo District Commissioner Omar Abdullahi Mohamed said the recurring whale strandings should be taken as a warning.

“Climate change and the destruction of our marine environment are creating dangerous conditions for sea creatures,” he noted.

Somalia’s rich marine resources remain largely unprotected due to weak governance and limited maritime enforcement.

Environmentalists argue that without urgent action — such as stronger patrols against illegal fishing and community-based conservation programs — the country risks losing its marine biodiversity.