According to KhabarOnline, oil pollution along the southern shores of Qeshm and the vicinity of Hengam Island has once again raised alarm bells for one of the country’s most valuable marine ecosystems, affecting approximately 3.2 hectares of coastline and nearly 9 hectares of coastal waters. While monitoring and cleanup operations have commenced with the involvement of various agencies, the need to identify the source of the pollution, compensate for damages, and prevent the recurrence of such incidents remains a pressing issue for officials.
It cannot be regarded merely as a localized coastal incident. The current situation observed along the shores of Souza, Shibdaraz, Naqasha, the area of the planted mangrove forests in the southern part of the island, and sections of the waters between Qeshm and Hengam is directly linked to natural resources, tourism, and the livelihoods of local communities. Any delay in controlling the situation could exacerbate the environmental and economic consequences.
Initial estimates from the Deputy of Marine and Wetland Environment of the Department of Environment indicate that about 3.2 hectares of coastline and approximately 9 hectares of coastal waters are affected by pollution. The penetration of pollution in some coastal areas has been reported to average about 10 centimeters, while in certain shallow marine regions, it has reached up to 30 centimeters, indicating that this is not a simple surface stain that can be easily collected.
The significance of this issue becomes more apparent when we understand that the southern shores of Qeshm and Hengam Island are not merely recreational areas; they are part of the sensitive marine habitats of the country. The Shibdaraz beach is a crucial nesting site for sea turtles, and any actions taken in these areas without environmental considerations could cause new harm to the coastal substrate and dependent habitats while addressing the pollution.
Cleanup is essential, but it is not sufficient. From the first hours of identifying the pollution, specialized environmental teams have been present in the area, and the Department of Environment, the Ports and Maritime Organization of Hormozgan, the governorate, the crisis management headquarters, the Qeshm Free Zone, municipalities, village councils, local volunteers, fishermen, and environmental organizations are all participating in monitoring, controlling, and cleaning operations. This collaboration, while the full extent of the pollution is still not entirely clear, is a necessary and commendable effort.
The Qeshm Free Zone Organization has also provided its facilities, machinery, and human resources to support the operations, transferring several Bobcat machines to the polluted areas. However, the use of heavy or semi-heavy machinery on oil-contaminated shores must be entirely targeted, as the differences between rocky, sandy shores, and sensitive ecological areas necessitate that the cleaning method be selected for each specific location.
The presence of numerous tar balls on the northeastern shores of Hengam and the marine route between Qeshm and Hengam serves as a serious warning. This evidence raises concerns about the potential displacement and spread of pollution to areas beyond the initially identified zones, highlighting the urgent need for expanded marine and coastal patrols and continuous monitoring of water and sediments.
Moreover, the sighting of tar and tar-like substances on the Naqasha beach indicates that some heavy oil compounds have settled in the sandy and muddy substrate. Such pollution does not end with a single surface collection phase and may leave lasting impacts in the sediments; therefore, assessing the quality of water, sediments, and sensitive habitats must continue simultaneously with the cleanup operations and even after their completion.
What is crucial now is to avoid a short-term perspective on this incident. Cleaning the beach is the first step in a chain of actions that must be completed with scientific monitoring, precise identification of the pollution source, assessment of the environmental damages incurred, and determination of responsibility for compensation. Without these links, the beach may appear clean, but the hidden effects of pollution could persist in the environment for a long time.
The main question remains: where did the pollution originate, and who is responsible for compensating the damages? Shina Ansari, the head of the Department of Environment, also described the oil pollution in the southern shores of Qeshm as an example of widespread pollution that has impacted the marine ecosystem of the region over the past few decades. This statement from the highest authority of the Department of Environment elevates the issue beyond a local incident and underscores the need to address the root causes of marine pollution in the area.
According to the Deputy of Marine and Wetland Environment of the Department of Environment, field investigations and marine patrols indicate that the pollution originated from the sea, with ocean currents and monsoon winds playing a role in its transfer to the coastline. This finding further emphasizes the necessity for a more detailed examination of the pollution’s entry path and the identification of the responsible party or parties.
From a public rights perspective, citizens have the right to know where the pollution came from, the extent of the damage to the environment, and which individual, organization, or entity should bear the costs of compensation. The legal responsibility for addressing oil pollution in the sea and on the shore lies with relevant agencies, including the Ports and Maritime Organization, but the public responsibility for environmental protection knows no administrative boundaries, and all agencies must play their role in prevention, response, and compensation.
Qeshm is not just a tourist destination; it is an island where the economy of some of its residents is intertwined with the sea, fishing, tourism, and natural resources. Any damage to the shore can ultimately affect the income of fishermen, tourist activities, the credibility of the tourist destination, and the quality of life for local communities. From this perspective, the cost of neglecting pollution far exceeds the expense of collecting a few tons of oil from the shore.
In this context, the involvement of fishermen, local communities, and environmental organizations in the cleanup operations represents a valuable resource; these are people who live closer to the shore and sea than any agency and can play a significant role in quickly identifying new stains, continuous monitoring, and protecting sensitive areas. However, this participation must occur within the framework of specialized guidelines and under the supervision of responsible teams to prevent voluntary actions from causing secondary damage.
Qeshm now requires a clear and measurable program; a program that transparently announces the polluted areas, the progress of cleanup efforts, the results of water and sediment tests, the status of sensitive habitats, and the actions taken to identify the source of pollution. The public and the island’s residents should not only be informed of the pollution when oil stains reach the shore; rather, transparency and continuous communication should be integral to crisis management.
The recent oil pollution in Qeshm can be seen as a serious test for integrated environmental management in the southern country; a test whose success cannot be measured solely by the apparent cleanliness of the beach sands. True success will be achieved when the pollution is contained, its source is identified, the damages to nature and local communities are assessed and compensated, and a mechanism is established to reduce the likelihood of such incidents recurring. Qeshm needs a clean shore and a healthy sea for its economic and tourism sustainability, and safeguarding this shared asset is a responsibility that transcends the duties of any single agency and belongs to all responsible entities and the local community.
