By Maria Kibindu, Tanzania
When I think about the ocean, I think about the blue water. I think about the blue water with the different types of fishes. I think about various biodiversity, beaches and the sun. I think about a place that people go to refresh their minds. It is a place you can go if you want very creative ideas and creative things. I may say to myself, let me go to the ocean so that I can have a very conducive environment for ideas, I can have relaxation, and have these good ideas coming into my head. It is a space for creativity.
I also think about coastal community people. Their main activities that they depend on such as fishing, it is all about thinking about the ocean. I was born in the coastal region, but not living near the coast. But I am proud of being born near the coastal region. I depend on the ocean. When I read about how the ocean contributes to our living, such as fresh air and climate regulation, and reducing greenhouse gases. The ocean contributes a lot in absolving these gases, and the impact of climate change.
I do not have a specific memory of the ocean, but when I think about the ocean I think about the beaches, about relaxing. That is what I like about the ocean; the views of the ocean. Its beauty. How it provides such nice air. The refreshing air that you get from the sea.
I live like coastal people. People know that when you go deep into the ocean and you come up, you are going to remove all the bad energy. The ocean water is being used for that purpose. We have a swahili saying, which goes something like go and greet this ocean water, so that you can remove all the bad energy.
Now that I am going through this training, I get more understanding of what the ocean is and the ocean can provide more than what I know. I learn more about the ocean advantages, its importance and what our responsibilities as coastal people are. Particularly due to the contribution of the ocean in our livelihoods, and in our lives. I feel that it is very important. I am learning more about the ocean and all the things it provides for us. It may depend on how we treat it, and I therefore have a role in influencing other coastal people and engaging with them about how this is our heritage. We need to protect it. We need to conserve the ocean, we need to use it in a sustainable manner. Because this is the only thing that we have, and we depend on it. That is a thing that I am proud of.
“Journeys to the Sea” is a new series of inspiring stories that highlight the personal connections of marine professionals with the ocean. As a follow up to World Oceans Day on June 8th, WIOMSA is excited to launch a three-month-long celebration dedicated to the ocean. The series will feature 34 unique stories from across the Western Indian Ocean region. These stories will share firsthand accounts of ocean-related experiences, reflections, and narratives from participants who have been part of the Sida-funded International Training Programme on marine spatial planning, “Planning for a Sustainable Blue Future in the Western Indian Ocean”. The stories have been part of the Ocean Storytelling component of the workshop, led by Dr Mia Strand, Nelson Mandela University. Read the collection of stories here.
Feature photo: Mnazi Bay Beach, © January Ndagala
