21,504,613
(July 1999 est.)
Land Area:
1,960,582 sq km
Coastline:
2,640 km
(Source: CIA World Factbook 1999)
Saudi Arabia
Coastal Management Office
Dept. of Environmental Affairs and Tourism
Private Bag X2, Roggebaai 8012
South Africa
Ph: 27 21 402-3228
Fax: 27 21 418-2582
e-mail: czm@sfri.wcape.gov.za
(Information provide by Sorensen 2000
Database of ICM Efforts)
Coastal Management Office
http://www.environment.gov.za/sacoast/
Coastal Policy
http://www.environment.gov.za/sacoast/CMPP/white
paper.doc
Ministry of Agriculture and Water
http://www.agrwat.gov.sa/MawEng/MawE.htm
(Source: CIA World Factbook
1999)
Many thanks are due to the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development, the source of the information below. The information was taken from Saudi Arabia's submission to the 5th Session of the Commission on Sustainable Development (last update: April 1997). For further information on social and economic factors, natural resources, and institutional structures in Saudi Arabia see the United Nations System-Wide Web Site on National Implementation of the Rio Commitments National Information for Saudi Arabia at:
http://www.un.org/esa/agenda21/natlinfo/countr/saudi/index.htm
The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982) was signed by Saudi Arabia on 07 December 1984, and ratified on 24 April 1996.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Water (MAW) is responsible for the implementation of economic plans and programs for agriculture, water development, desalination, irrigation, conservation of scarce water, fisheries, animal resources and locust control. The Saline Water Conversion Corporation (SWCC) functions as the principal desalination complex.
Sustainable Utilization of Marine Resources
The most important achievements of the fisheries sector with respect to Agenda 21 are the following:
- identification of fishing means and equipment in a manner that would not negatively impact the fish stock, the most important being determination of appropriate mesh size of all nets used in the waters of the Kingdom in order to allow small fish and other marine creatures to escape;
- development of the traditional fishing sector and modernization of fishing means by use of engines for propelling boats as well as improvement of material for boat making, provision of soft loans and increase in the awareness of fishermen;
- identification of periods for banning the catch of certain types of fish and shrimps in order to protect them from depletion as has been the case during the period of banning for the catch of shrimps and both najil and taradi fish;
- temporary suspension of the issue of new fishing licenses or registration of new means of fishing to prevent increased fishing from causing deterioration of fish stocks as has happened in certain countries;
- establishment and development of fish farms have been completed in marine coastal areas and inland water bodies in order to alleviate pressure on certain economic species of the fish stocks which are amenable to farming, with 98 projects currently licensed for fish farming;
- prohibition of disposal of solid waste and effluents in sea water, except in coordination with the relevant competent authorities;
- identification of certain environmentally sensitive marine zones has been completed and these have been made into protected areas in order to conserve places of propagation, growth and nursing of fry and other marine life;
- completion of studies which aim at replanting various coastal areas of the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf with mangrove plants due to their effective environmental importance, mangroves being considered the most suitable environment for the propagation, growth and nursing of fry and other marine creatures, in coordination with the National Parks Directorate and SWCC. A specialized expert has been recruited to oversee the replanting of the mangroves;
- surveys have been conducted to identify suitable coastal land for fish farming with a view to sustainable development, including about 10,000 hectares in the area between Jeddah and the southern borders of the Kingdom. Some plots are to be distributed to investors and two large projects are being implemented for this purpose at certain locations. During the survey, ecologically sensitive as well as nursing and feeding grounds were identified.
MAW, in cooperation with the Saline Water Conversion Corporation, through the Jubail Station, monitors the marine environment regularly, follows any changes as a result of pollution, and gives early warning.
In order to conserve important coastlines and restore to their natural state those affected, MAW protected shrimp hatching and feeding areas in the Arabian Gulf and in the area of Gizan and the Red Sea. Fishing is banned in the Arabian Gulf from January to the beginning of August, and on the Red Sea from March to August. Both najil and taradi fishing was banned for two consecutive years during the time of propagation, and only this year has this ban been lifted in order to determine the impact of such protection.
Strains of certain freshwater fish have been enhanced and acclimatized to living in sea water, and subjected to propagation and breeding, and licenses have been issued to projects for commercial fish farming. Artificial propagation of certain species of shrimp has been successful for improvement of genetic characteristics. Certain species such as nimr and abyyadh shrimps have been released into the sea in order to revive stocks of them. A study has been prepared for re-stocking the Arabian Gulf with shrimp through the establishment of incubators.
To encourage environmentally-sound technology, MAW has prohibited and banned all indiscriminate activities of catching fish and other aquatic creatures, such as the use of toxic chemicals and electric shock; designated appropriate mesh sizes for nets, in order to protect small fish; and promoted the use of modern fishing techniques which ensure protection and effective catches designed to reduce secondary fishing and wastage of fish, in addition to the use of modern marine farming systems which take the environment into consideration.
MAW has set up environmental protection measures designed to restrict the handling of living fish with a view to protecting fish stocks and the marine environment, and to ensure the safety and quality of the Kingdom's fish products.
Within the general plan for increasing efficiency, the Ministry trained and sent on scholarships, a number of its staff; three have obtained doctorate degrees, and five masters' degrees, in addition to the many who attended specialized training courses.
For sustainable conservation and utilization of living marine resources under national jurisdiction, MAW established the Saudi Fisheries Company. This is a joint stock company 40 percent of whose shares are owned by the State, and the major part of its interest is in marketing. In record time, Saudi Fisheries had set up 52 outlets for the sale of fish and other marine products. These outlets are designed to the highest standards, where seafood is handled under appropriate environmental conditions that ensure the quality of the product.
MAW has also encouraged Saudi businessmen to invest in industrial fishing projects, and support services on the eastern and western coasts of the Kingdom. At present, there is a total of 7,312 fishing boats, and 2,069 fishermen, in addition to the 11,772 expatriate laborers working on these boats.
Future plans in this area include the following activities:
- Completion of updating the regulations for fishing, investment and protection of living aquatic resources.
- Completion of updating the strategies designed for the development of fish resources and farms, and the sustainable protection of their natural environment.
- Completion of coastal surveys and study of pollutants in the coastal environment with the aim of optimal management of such zones.
- Research and studies on the Marine Environment, including collection of basic data on habitats studies including complementary data on physical, chemical and hydrographical criteria; studies monitoring pre- and post-construction/operation of facilities; and studies related to oil spills.
The company has started the preparation of a number of environmental research/studies in collaboration with local universities and private institutions. Most of these studies are related to the marine environment and are being prepared within the framework of a continuing research project in Saudi Aramco in collaboration with King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM). Below is an overview of the three phases of this project, which have been recently been completed.
- Saudi Aramco Continuing Research Project: Marine Environmental Studies - Phase I, 1984-1989. This project covered long-term environment research on certain parts of coastal bays and off-shore areas along the western part of the Arabian Gulf. These studies determined the relative importance of biological creatures. A map was produced on the habitats of living creatures and their quantitative contribution to the local marine ecosystem with particular reference to fishing and the impact of filling and drainage (land reclamation) on these creatures. Oceanographic studies were utilized for the development of a database for the region, preparation of hydrodynamic models to uncover pollution and actual developments that occur in oceans. The final report of the project is composed of 11 parts detailing the research conducted during the period 1984- 1989.
- Saudi Aramco Continuing Research Project: Marine Environment Studies - Phase II, 1990 - 1994. This project is an extension of the previous continuing research project. The main objectives of these studies are the monitoring of the impact of measures taken by Saudi Aramco with a view to reducing the expenses of the environmental study, the time needed for completion of specific site assessments, future development of the hydrodynamic models, and pollution transfer models. Other tasks included the assessment of changes in the beaches due to filling, monitoring changes related to factors such as oil spills, dredging in coral reefs, producing a detailed map of the habitats of living creatures in the Kingdom's coastal areas along the Arabian Gulf, and designing a model of sedimentation action in the Arabian Gulf. The final report of this project has recently been completed, and it contains 10 parts covering study activities over the four years.
- Saudi Aramco Continuing Research Project: Marine Environment Studies - Phase III, 1994-2000. Phase III of the marine environmental study is composed of a number of elements designed to meet and address the projected environmental needs before they become major problems requiring high cost. This project will allow for continuity of research on the probable impact of Saudi Aramco operations on the marine environment and allow for conducting research in new areas including identification of primary productivity, studies on the effect of pollution on living creatures, and studies on environmentally-sound methods of disposal of the (waste)-water produced.
Additional research projects underway include the following:
- Studies on the marine environment: Preparation of maps of the habitats of living creatures: Maps of the habitats of living marine creatures in most of the Arabian Gulf coast have already been prepared. These maps cover areas to a depth of 10 meters, and identify sensitive and productive habitats including mangroves, coral reefs, seabed grass, and mud layers. These maps help in assessing priorities for the protection of the coastline and the habitats of living creatures, and identifying the location of resources during oil spill accidents. Such maps are important for the preparation of environmental impact assessments.
- Research on the impact of dredging: These research studies aim at assessing which short-term or long-term impacts result from dredging activities during the development of certain coastal facilities. Results indicate that the impact of dredging on the marine environment has generally been a short-lived phenomenon on adjacent areas unaffected by dredging.
- Studies on transplanting mangrove trees: Very successful studies have been conducted on transplanting mangrove saplings to another type of soil. These trees were propagated in certain areas and produced another generation of plants. One of the objectives of the study is to verify the possibility of rehabilitating mangrove trees in areas affected by oil spills, dredging and in-filling.
- Coral reef studies: Thirteen species of Arabian Gulf coral have been studied to determine the natural and human impact on this important, highly productive ecosystem. In addition to photographing coral quadrants, cross-sections of fish and large invertebrates are also continually studied.
- Minerals traces in Arabian Gulf deposits: These studies are conducted to investigate the distribution of traces of minerals in deposits collected from the coastal areas of the Arabian Gulf. Water samples have also been collected and analyzed. One of the main objectives of this project is identifying areas with high concentrations of such minerals and determining the primary reasons for this phenomenon.
- Study of fungal life: Traces of minerals and content of organic pollutants on shellfish collected from most of the western coastal areas of the Arabian Gulf have been studied. This study has presented a continuing and economical method of assessing the impact of industrial facilities located along coast areas on the marine environment of the Gulf.
Country
Report on Saudi Arabia
This Country Report on Saudi Arabia was put together to provide background information to the SAP process. SAP (The Red Sea and Gulf of Aden Environmental Strategic Action Program) is a Global Environment Facility (GEF) project being jointly executed by the World Bank, UNDP, and UNEP through the Regional Organization for the Conservation of the Environment of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden (PERSGA), based in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. This partnership of the littoral states, Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen and international agencies aims to preserve the fragile environment of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden by preventing pollution and unplanned coastal development . The complete country report on Saudi Arabia may be downloaded from:
http://wbln0018.worldbank.org/essd/RedSeaWorkspace.nsf