UN warns of devastating impact of sand dredging on ocean floor

The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) has warned that around six billion tonnes of sand are dredged from the world's oceans each year, posing a threat to marine life and coastal communities. Sand is the second most exploited natural resource after water and is used in the production of concrete and glass. The UNEP's new analysis tool, Marine Sand Watch, monitors dredging activities using marine tracking and artificial intelligence. The scale of environmental impacts is alarming, with large vessels sterilizing the ocean floor and destroying microorganisms that fish feed on. The UNEP recommends banning sand dredging from beaches to protect coastal resilience and economies.