Saya de Malha Bank: 200 Miles from Mauritius, Facing Silent Ecological Crisis

In the vast, uncharted depths of the Indian Ocean lies a hidden jewel—a fragile, vital sanctuary known as the Saya de Malha Bank. This remote, nearly pristine expanse of 40,000 square kilometres, situated over 200 miles east of Mauritius and Seychelles, has remained largely invisible to the world’s consciousness. Yet, within its submerged grasslands lies a treasure of unparalleled ecological significance, a veritable lung of the ocean, and a beacon of hope in the fight against climate catastrophe.

The Ecological Power of Seagrass Meadows

A colossal seagrass meadow, arguably the largest on the planet, stretches across this submerged wilderness.

To put its scale into perspective: it covers an area comparable to Switzerland, cradling a living carpet of seagrass that absorbs carbon dioxide at a rate 35 times faster than tropical rainforests.

This is no mere coincidence. Seagrass, often dubbed the “lungs of the ocean,” sequesters a fifth of the world’s carbon—an essential bulwark against the ravages of human-induced climate change.

Its roots and soil sequester CO₂ with an efficiency that dwarfs terrestrial forests, making the Saya de Malha Bank an indispensable global asset in our planetary climate battle.

Yet, despite its crucial importance, this pristine ecosystem teeters on the brink of destruction. Since the days of Portuguese sailors, who in the 16th century named it “Saya de Malha”—meaning “mesh skirt”—for the rolling waves of seagrass beneath the surface, the region has remained largely unstudied due to its remoteness.

Now, however, this fragile sanctuary faces an unprecedented assault: industrial fishing fleets operating with near impunity, plundering its resources without oversight or restraint.

Threats from Industrial Exploitation

The threat is not hypothetical. Reports reveal that multinational fleets, employing advanced technology, have systematically decimated this ecosystem, which lies mostly in international waters beyond national jurisdiction.

These vessels, whose movements are often untracked, are ripping apart the seagrass beds, destroying habitats that support countless marine species—many yet unknown to science.

This ecosystem, classified as “globally unique” by UNESCO in 2012 and considered a potential Marine World Heritage site, is suffering a catastrophic loss.

Seagrasses are vital, yet often overlooked. Covering less than one-tenth of one percent of the ocean floor, they are frequently dismissed as mere undersea plant beds. However, their significance is colossal.

They serve as the foundation for a diverse web of life, hosting thousands of species—from endangered sea turtles and dugongs to sharks, humpback whales, sperm whales, and the majestic blue whales that breed in these waters.

The Saya de Malha Bank is a breeding ground and sanctuary for these giants and delicate creatures alike, their existence intertwined with the health of these underwater meadows.

The global community is losing this precious habitat at an alarming rate. Since the late 19th century, roughly a third of the world’s seagrass beds have vanished.

Today, we are losing approximately 7 percent annually—equivalent to the disappearance of a football pitch of seagrass every 30 minutes.

Such devastation has profound implications, not only for biodiversity but for the very climate stability of our planet.

Importance and Urgent Need for Protection

Ronald Jumeau, Seychelles Ambassador for Climate Change, laments the neglect:

“Seagrasses are the forgotten ecosystem,” he stated, highlighting their marginal protection—only 26 percent of these vital meadows are within marine protected areas, compared to 40 percent of coral reefs and 43 percent of mangroves.

This disparity underscores a tragic oversight, one that imperils the future of our climate and marine life.

As the world grapples with mounting ecological crises, the Saya de Malha Bank stands as a stark reminder of what is at stake.

Its silent, submerged plains are not just a local feature—they are a global asset, a key ally in our fight against climate change, and a fragile habitat that deserves urgent protection.

If we fail to act now, we risk losing one of the Earth’s most significant natural treasures forever—a victim of neglect, greed, and the relentless march of industrial exploitation.

The Hidden Crisis Beneath the Waves

A silent crisis unfolds beneath the waves, where the Saya de Malha bank — a vast expanse of seagrass beds — teeters on the brink of catastrophe.

Scientists now believe that within these underwater meadows lie hundreds, perhaps thousands, of species yet to be discovered, creatures that depend entirely on this fragile environment for their survival.

The stark reality is that these vital ecosystems face relentless threats, their future hanging precariously in the balance.

Seagrass, often overlooked, is an unsung hero of our oceans. A 2021 report by the University of California, Davis, reveals that these submerged fields perform a vital service:

cleansing polluted waters and shielding coastlines from the devastating force of erosion.

In a world drowning beneath at least eight million tonnes of plastic waste each year, seagrass acts as a natural filter, trapping microplastics, debris, and pollutants within its dense foliage, locking them into the sediment, and preventing their further spread.

A study published in Nature in 2021 underscores this vital function, illustrating how these underwater forests serve as a natural net, safeguarding marine life from the scourge of plastic pollution.

The Critical Role of Seagrass Ecosystems

Furthermore, as ocean waters acidify — a consequence of relentless carbon emissions threatening the very existence of coral reefs and the myriad species they shelter — seagrasses emerge as crucial allies.

Through photosynthesis, they absorb carbon dioxide, reducing acidity and creating a vital buffer against the destructive impacts of climate change.

Their role as nurseries and shelters for countless marine species, including endangered dugongs, sharks, and delicate seahorses, cannot be overstated.

Yet, amidst this delicate balance, the Saya de Malha bank faces an ominous threat. Over the past few years, more than 200 distant-water vessels — predominantly from Sri Lanka and Taiwan — have anchored in its deeper waters.

These vessels, driven by the insatiable demand for tuna, lizardfish, scad, and forage fish, are engaged in relentless fishing expeditions that produce protein-rich fishmeal, feeding livestock and aquaculture industries across the globe.

This industrial assault on the seagrass beds is relentless, and conservationists warn that efforts to protect this vital ecosystem are moving too slowly to stem the tide of destruction.

Threats and the Urgent Need for Action

Heidi Weiskel, Acting Head of the Global Ocean Team at the IUCN, paints a bleak picture: “It’s like walking north on a southbound train.”

Her words echo the urgency of the crisis — a race against time to preserve what remains of these irreplaceable habitats.

On May 23, 2022, a glimmer of hope emerged when the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution declaring March 1 as World Seagrass Day — a gesture sponsored by Sri Lanka, recognising the immense value of these ecosystems.

During the assembly, Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative, Ambassador Mohan Pieris, proclaimed seagrasses “one of the most valuable marine ecosystems on earth,” emphasising their outsized contribution to carbon sequestration and climate mitigation.

International Awareness

Yet, as the ambassador delivered his impassioned speech in New York, dozens of ships from his homeland’s fishing fleets were miles away, operating just beyond the reach of international scrutiny.

Nine thousand miles from the UN podium, these vessels continued their relentless harvest — scraping, slicing, and destroying the very ecosystems the world now seeks to protect.

The battle for the Saya de Malha and its seagrasses is a stark reminder that recognition alone is not enough. Action must follow.

Otherwise, the silent, vital forests of the sea may vanish — a tragedy written in the loss of countless species, the degradation of our oceans, and the collapse of a delicate, life-sustaining web that underpins the very future of our planet.

Source: France24