Dolphin strandings in Bosaso,Puntland ,somalia

In late January 2025, a mass stranding of over 100 dead dolphins occurred along the coast of Puntland, Somalia, near Bosaso. The exact cause of the stranding was not immediately determined, but authorities and environmental groups investigated possibilities including pollution, disease, or disorientation from seismic surveys. The Ministry of the Environment, along with the Ministry of Fisheries and East Africa University, launched an investigation, though residents initially suspected chemical waste due to past incidents of hazardous waste dumping in the region

Key Details

• Event: A mass stranding of over 100 dead dolphins. 
• Location: Along the coast between Bosaso and Mareero towns in Puntland, Somalia. 
• Date: The incident occurred in late January 2025. 
• Investigation: Authorities are investigating the cause, with samples collected for analysis. 
• Potential Causes:
  • Disorientation/Injury: Seismic surveys involving powerful sound waves conducted by a Turkish company were raised as a potential cause. 
  • Pollution: Residents have expressed concerns about chemical waste being dumped in the sea, a practice with a history in Somalia. 
  • Disease: Health problems or diseases affecting fish could lead to dolphins seeking shallow waters. 
  • Environmental Changes: Changes in sea water conditions leading to food shortages are also being considered. 

Official Actions

• The Ministry of the Environment and Ministry of Fisheries are cooperating on an urgent investigation. 
• Local residents and soldiers examined the scene, and samples were collected for laboratory analysis. 
• Authorities issued warnings to residents to avoid eating the dead dolphins.