Population: 723,542 (July 1999 est.) Land Area: Total: 11,437 sq km Coastline: 563 km (Source:  CIA World Factbook 1999)

Qatar                                 ..........in this page Contacts Basic Data CSD Data Ocean and Coastal Zone Decision-Making Status Capacity-building, education, training and awareness-raising Information Cooperation     Contacts Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Agriculture http://www.mmaa.gov.qa/english/ State of Qatar National Report on the Implementation  of Agenda 21 http://www.mmaa.gov.qa/english/events/conferences/agenda-21/contents.htm Programme for Marine Environment and Coastal Areas http://www.mmaa.gov.qa/english/events/conferences/agenda-21/chapter-4.htm (Source:  CIA World Factbook 1999)   SUMMARY OF OCEAN  AND COASTAL PROGRAMS Many thanks are due to the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development, the source of the information below. The information was taken from Qatar's submission to the 7th Session of the Commission on Sustainable Development (last update: January 1999). For further information on social and economic factors, natural resources, and institutional structures in Qatar see the United Nations System-Wide Web Site on National Implementation of the Rio Commitments National Information for Qatar at http://www.un.org/esa/agenda21/natlinfo/countr/qatar/index.htm   OCEAN AND COASTAL AREAS Qatar signed the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea in 1984. Decision-Making The Environment Department is presently under the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Agriculture. It is a fledging department established by law in 1994. A number of State laws have been issued to protect the marine environment. In addition the State is required to comply with regional conventions which it has ratified. Legislation includes the following: Decree No. 55 of 1978 for approving Kuwait Regional Agreement of Cooperation for Protecting the Marine Environment from pollution, and the Protocol of regional cooperation for combating pollution which results from the discharge of oil and other damaging substances. The resolution of the Council of Ministers, No. 4 of 1986 providing that the plans and projects of development shall be shown to the permanent committee for environment for approval. Decree No. 51 of 1988 for signing the international agreement concerned with the establishment of an international fund for compensation for damages resulting from oil pollution (Brussels 1971). Decree No. 52 of 1988 for Qatar signing the international agreement concerned with the right to intervene in cases of accidents which cause pollution or may cause oil pollution in the upper seas (Brussels 1969). Decree No. 53 of 1988 for Qatar signing the international charter of civil liability on damages from oil pollution (Brussels 1969 amended by the protocol of 1977). Decree No. 36 of 1989 for approving the Protocol for marine environment protection from pollution which results from the continental shelf. Decree No. 55 of 1992 for approving the Protocol for marine environment protection from pollution which results from land sources. The Law No 4 of 1983, for the protection and the regulation of the use of marine resources in Qatar. Ministerial decision of 1993 providing that no new licenses shall he issued for fishing trawlers. Resolution No. 84 of 1993, of the Council of Ministers concerned with procedures and arrangements for the protection of fish in Qatar waters. Resolution No. 29 of 1994, of the Council of Ministers which prohibits fishing through trawling. Ministerial decision No. 31 of 1995 for the amendment of some of the provisions of law No. 4 of 1983 on the necessity of the protection of marine wealth and the prevention of damage to the natural environment. Ministerial decision No. 34 for the year 1994 prohibiting the catching of shrimps for two years starting August 94 till 1996, extended for another two years. Status The State of Qatar is made up of the main peninsula. It also has a number of small islands. The coasts of the state, including the islands, extend for more than 700 km (approximately 23 percent of the coasts of the Gulf). The coasts have acute curves forming bays and capes such as Ras Laffan, Ras Rekn and Ras Ashirij. The State's coasts includes a number of environmentally sensitive areas, such as mangrove forests and coastal coral reefs. These form a natural environment for a number of living organisms which are a national natural wealth. Marine environment in the Arabian Gulf is considered to be of special importance. It is an important source of food. In addition, desalinated sea water is the main source (almost the sole one) of drinking water in the country. Due to human activities on land, it is a natural consequence that the marine environment has been subjected to a number of cases of pollution which has resulted in an environmental imbalance. This has affected aquatic ecosystems. This is particularly true because of the negative effect of unplanned development on environment, in general, and marine environment, in particular. The coastal waters of Qatar are polluted from a number of sources. These include untreated industrial effluent, garbage from indiscriminate disposal by visitors to the benches and human activities in port areas. Oil spills due to accidents in exploration and transport still constitutes the biggest source of pollution of the coastal waters. The State has taken a multi-pronged action in this regard. The steps include the following: Integrated administration and sustainable development of coastal areas; Environmental monitoring of the marine environment; Using marine resources at the upper seas and sustaining these resources; Protecting the marine environment found in the State; The treatment of critical aspects in marine environment administration including the effects of climate change; Strengthening coordination and cooperation on both regional and international levels; and Promoting sustainable development of small islands. A large number of pollutants is discharged into the coastal waters which is a source of drinking water. Some of the pollutants discharged could have a tendency for bio-concentration, while others present a danger from toxic products due to the reaction with other pollutants present in sea water. Discharge of ballast and other wastes need to be prevented. Enforcement of laws, both regional and local, needs to be backed with a programme of environmental awareness and education. Capacity-building, education, training and awareness-raising Infrastructure gaps exist in the Environment Department. A study has been undertaken by a private consultant to identify the appropriate structure of the Environment Department. In order to function effectively in controlling marine pollution it is necessary to have the appropriate human resources, a sea-going vessel and a properly manned laboratory. A system of enforcement needs to be established. Deterrent fines and punishment would have to be enforced on willful polluters of the marine environment. Emergency preparedness to fight accidents needs to be established. This would include a plan and proper coordination and training for the concerned personnel of the relevant departments and agencies, particularly the Coast Guard. Laws concerning ships with segregated ballast and facilities at ports for accepting and treating wastes need to be established and enforced. A continuous education and awareness programme needs to be carried out. While a lot is currently being done by the Environment Department, it is necessary to network with other departments and agencies which have the expertise in the field. For instance, the Qatar National Museum can do significant support work through its section on marine environment. A long-term coordinated programme with identified responsibilities is required. Information There is a need to build a proper structure for monitoring the status of the marine environment with an appropriate laboratory. It is necessary to integrate the existing GIS in monitoring and modeling studies. Marine reserves need to be mapped and areas which are ecologically sensitive need to be preserved. This would require monitoring and support of properly equipped and trained technical personnel. Cooperation Qatar participates in a number of regional and international agreements, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, the Kuwait Regional Agreement of Cooperation for Protecting the Marine Environment from Pollution, the Protocol of Regional Cooperation for Combating Pollution which results from discharge of oil and other damaging substances, the international agreement concerned with the establishment of an international fund for compensations for damages resulting from oil pollution, the international agreement concerned with the right to intervene in cases of accidents which cause pollution or may cause oil pollution in the upper seas (Brussels, 1969), the International Charter of Civil Liability on Damages from Oil Pollution, the Protocol for Marine Environment Protection from Pollution which Results from the Continental Shelf, and the Protocol for Marine Environment from Pollution which Results from Land Sources, among others. This information was provided by the Government of Qatar to the fifth session of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development. Last Update: June 1997. (top)

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