conservation of coral reefs in kuwait arabian gulf marin conservation forum abu dhabi, united arab...

Conservation of Coral Reefs in Conservation of Coral Reefs in KuwaitKuwait

Arabian Gulf Marin Conservation ForumArabian Gulf Marin Conservation ForumAbu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

11-14 September 200611-14 September 2006

Adel H. AlsaffarAdel H. Alsaffar

Mariculture and Fisheries DepartmentMariculture and Fisheries DepartmentKuwait Institute for Scientific ResearchKuwait Institute for Scientific Research

[email protected]

Hani Al-TamimiHani Al-Tamimi

Living Resources DepartmentLiving Resources DepartmentEnvironment Public AuthorityEnvironment Public Authority

[email protected]

ByBy

Coral Reefs in KuwaitCoral Reefs in Kuwait

are found:are found:

Associated with the Associated with the Coral Islands (Kubbar, Coral Islands (Kubbar, Qaro and Um Al-Qaro and Um Al-Maradem)Maradem)

As Patch and platform As Patch and platform reefsreefs

Kubbar Island and surrounding Reef

Terns breeding at Kubbar Island

Qaro Island and surrounding Reef

Umm Al-Maradem Island and surrounding Reef

Patch and Platform Reefs

Coral SpeciesCoral Species

A total of 35 coral species have been recorded A total of 35 coral species have been recorded in Kuwait reefs. Of these, 29 species are in Kuwait reefs. Of these, 29 species are hermatypic (reef- building corals), and 6 species hermatypic (reef- building corals), and 6 species are ahermatypic (non-reef building) corals.are ahermatypic (non-reef building) corals.

124 fish species were recorded in the coral reef 124 fish species were recorded in the coral reef communities, about 35 percent of the total number communities, about 35 percent of the total number of fish species (337 species) recorded in Kuwait. of fish species (337 species) recorded in Kuwait.

Fish Species Associated with Coral ReefsFish Species Associated with Coral Reefs

Conservation ThemesConservation Themes

Legislation Applicable to the Conservation of Legislation Applicable to the Conservation of Coral Reefs,Coral Reefs,

Research, Monitoring and Documentation,Research, Monitoring and Documentation,

Education and Public awareness,Education and Public awareness,

Practical Conservation of Coral Reefs.Practical Conservation of Coral Reefs.

Legislations Applicable to the Conservation of Coral reefsLegislations Applicable to the Conservation of Coral reefs

Law No. 21 of 1995 & Law No. 16 of 1996 about establishing Law No. 21 of 1995 & Law No. 16 of 1996 about establishing the “Environment Public Authority (EPA)”:the “Environment Public Authority (EPA)”:

With regard to Coral Islands and Coral ReefsWith regard to Coral Islands and Coral Reefs::

ObjectivesObjectives::

• To develop coral islands and exploit them as natural To develop coral islands and exploit them as natural reserves, recreational facilities and as a fish resource.reserves, recreational facilities and as a fish resource.

• To conserve the coral reefs around coral islands and To conserve the coral reefs around coral islands and submerged reefs and declare them as protected areas submerged reefs and declare them as protected areas and to conserve fish breeding sites. and to conserve fish breeding sites.


With regard to Coral Islands and Coral Reefs (cont.)With regard to Coral Islands and Coral Reefs (cont.)::

● Policies and Procedures:Policies and Procedures:

• Utilising available expertise in the regional and Utilising available expertise in the regional and international levels in selecting and management of international levels in selecting and management of marine protected areas,marine protected areas,

• Providing trained personnel and management facilities,Providing trained personnel and management facilities,

• Applying the legislations concerning such reserves and Applying the legislations concerning such reserves and monitoring visitors conduct,monitoring visitors conduct,

• Promoting public awareness on the importance of the Promoting public awareness on the importance of the marine reserves and ways of utilising them, and establish marine reserves and ways of utilising them, and establish economic, social and environmental indicators to be used economic, social and environmental indicators to be used for determining the success of the protection program.for determining the success of the protection program.

Decision No. 210 / 2001, regarding the executive law of the Decision No. 210 / 2001, regarding the executive law of the establishment of EPA, states in article (81)that:establishment of EPA, states in article (81)that:

• It is prohibited to hunt, kill, catch, gather or harm all It is prohibited to hunt, kill, catch, gather or harm all marine and terrestrial wildlife species or to temper with its marine and terrestrial wildlife species or to temper with its young, eggs, nests or refuges to the duration of two years young, eggs, nests or refuges to the duration of two years starting at the date of issuance….. starting at the date of issuance…..

It is conclusively prohibited to pluck, It is conclusively prohibited to pluck, remove or harm corals or any other coral remove or harm corals or any other coral reef organisms.reef organisms.


● EPA has two committees related to coral reefs:EPA has two committees related to coral reefs:● ‘‘The National Committee for Biodiversity’:The National Committee for Biodiversity’:

Duties:Duties: Study the Convention on Biodiversity and follow up on Study the Convention on Biodiversity and follow up on

execution of its obligations on the state,execution of its obligations on the state,

Follow up with other related conventions,Follow up with other related conventions, Indicate problems with biodiversity and suggest solutions,Indicate problems with biodiversity and suggest solutions,

Provide strategic plans to conserve Provide strategic plans to conserve biodiversity in the state.biodiversity in the state.



● ‘‘The National Committee for Biodiversity’:The National Committee for Biodiversity’: Proposed a law for the establishment of protected areas Proposed a law for the establishment of protected areas

(land and marine) in 1997.(land and marine) in 1997.


This law is still pending at the “Department of Legal Advice and Legislations” This law is still pending at the “Department of Legal Advice and Legislations” at the Council of Ministers.at the Council of Ministers.

In this law, all coral reef areas were recommended to be protectedIn this law, all coral reef areas were recommended to be protected


The National committee for Trade in Endangered The National committee for Trade in Endangered Species.Species.

Hundreds of corals species are listed in Appendix II of Hundreds of corals species are listed in Appendix II of the CITES Convention, which means that international the CITES Convention, which means that international trade in these species is regulated and monitored.trade in these species is regulated and monitored.

Decision No. 210/2001 regarding the executive law of Decision No. 210/2001 regarding the executive law of the establishment of EPA states in Article 85 that:the establishment of EPA states in Article 85 that:

It is prohibited to trade in endangered wild life species or It is prohibited to trade in endangered wild life species or in their parts and products listed by decision of EPA by in their parts and products listed by decision of EPA by agreement with concerned parties, also those listed on agreement with concerned parties, also those listed on CITES text and other current international agreements. CITES text and other current international agreements. Exception are permitted by concerned parties pending the Exception are permitted by concerned parties pending the agreement of EPA for scientific, therapeutic, zoo and agreement of EPA for scientific, therapeutic, zoo and exhibition purposes.exhibition purposes.


Resolution No. 93/2003 regarding the regulation of sale and Resolution No. 93/2003 regarding the regulation of sale and trade in endangered wildlife species:trade in endangered wildlife species:

It is prohibited to exchange, sell or trade in It is prohibited to exchange, sell or trade in endangered wild life species or in their parts and endangered wild life species or in their parts and products, listed in the products, listed in the AppendicesAppendices of the above of the above resolution resolution (coral is listed in these (coral is listed in these AppendicesAppendices)), in local , in local markets or in private farms, without obtaining required markets or in private farms, without obtaining required permits and adhering to the conditions listed in the permits and adhering to the conditions listed in the above resolution.above resolution.

Gaps in legislation:Gaps in legislation: Weak enforcement of existing laws and violators are not Weak enforcement of existing laws and violators are not

being punished,being punished, Slow process of passing the legislation for the Slow process of passing the legislation for the

establishment of protected areas, establishment of protected areas, Overlapping in responsibilities among different authorities Overlapping in responsibilities among different authorities

leads to ineffective enforcement of the laws,leads to ineffective enforcement of the laws, Lack of specialists in international environmental law, Lack of specialists in international environmental law, Weak cooperation among government and non-Weak cooperation among government and non-

government organizations in matters of coral reef government organizations in matters of coral reef conservation,conservation,

Weak cooperation with regional organizations, Weak cooperation with regional organizations, Lack of guidelines for eco-tourism,Lack of guidelines for eco-tourism, Lack of knowledgeable enforcement officers and Lack of knowledgeable enforcement officers and

transportation meanstransportation means


Research, Monitoring and ManagementResearch, Monitoring and Management Kuwait Institute for Scientific Kuwait Institute for Scientific

Research (KISR).Research (KISR). Comprehensive study in mid 1980’s,Comprehensive study in mid 1980’s,

• Reports describing corals, coral fishes Reports describing corals, coral fishes and environment, as well as charting of and environment, as well as charting of major coral reefs (5 volumes)major coral reefs (5 volumes)

• Proposed coral islands and reefs as Proposed coral islands and reefs as protected areas and provided protected areas and provided management guidelinesmanagement guidelines

Major study in 1995Major study in 1995• A report describing coral reef A report describing coral reef

environment, eco-experiments and coral environment, eco-experiments and coral spawning,spawning,

• Book: The Coral and Coral Reef Fishes Book: The Coral and Coral Reef Fishes of Kuwait (160 pg).of Kuwait (160 pg).

PhD work at present by PhD PhD work at present by PhD candidate; Mr. Shaker Alhazeem.candidate; Mr. Shaker Alhazeem.

• PhD dissertations on the ecology of PhD dissertations on the ecology of Kuwait coral reefs (in preparation).Kuwait coral reefs (in preparation).

Environment Public Authority (EPA):Environment Public Authority (EPA): • Funding of KISR’s research and studies,Funding of KISR’s research and studies,• Assessment of coral reefs after the Gulf Crisis by IUCN,Assessment of coral reefs after the Gulf Crisis by IUCN,• Participated in regional work shops organized by ROPME on the Participated in regional work shops organized by ROPME on the

subject of coral reefs,subject of coral reefs,• Cooperate with IUCN to build national capacity for monitoring Cooperate with IUCN to build national capacity for monitoring

coral reefs,coral reefs,• Establishment of Internal project to monitor coral reefs (cEstablishment of Internal project to monitor coral reefs (coral oral

reef team),reef team),• Cooperation with University of Miami, Cooperation with University of Miami, • Cooperation with NCWCD (Saudi Arabia),Cooperation with NCWCD (Saudi Arabia),• Participated in Remote Sensing Training Workshops Participated in Remote Sensing Training Workshops

(RS Applications in Marine Areas) organized by:(RS Applications in Marine Areas) organized by: Kuwait University,Kuwait University, ROPME.ROPME.

Research, Monitoring and ManagementResearch, Monitoring and Management

Kuwait Environment Protection Society (KEPS)Kuwait Environment Protection Society (KEPS)(Kuwait Dive team):(Kuwait Dive team):

Documentation of coral reef species through Documentation of coral reef species through photography and videographyphotography and videography

Research, Monitoring and ManagementResearch, Monitoring and Management

Coral Reefs BookCoral Reefs Book

Coral Reefs PosterCoral Reefs Poster

Coral Reefs BookletCoral Reefs Booklet

Education and Public AwarenessEducation and Public Awareness

Prints:Prints:

Photography exhibits and contests on the Photography exhibits and contests on the subject of coral reef environment by:subject of coral reef environment by: Kuwait Environment Protection Society (e.g. Kuwait Environment Protection Society (e.g.

competition of best photograph),competition of best photograph), Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR)

(e.g. Open Day),(e.g. Open Day), Environment Public AuthorityEnvironment Public Authority

(e.g. International Day of Biodiversity).(e.g. International Day of Biodiversity).


Articles in periodicals and local Articles in periodicals and local newspapers:newspapers: KEPS KEPS EPAEPA KISRKISR Science Club. Science Club.


Practical Conservation of Coral ReefsPractical Conservation of Coral Reefs

Debris Removal Efforts:Debris Removal Efforts:• Yearly cleaning campaigns are being conducted jointly by: Yearly cleaning campaigns are being conducted jointly by:

(Participant, Financial and Equipments)(Participant, Financial and Equipments) Environmental Public Authority,Environmental Public Authority, Kuwait Environment Protection Society (Kuwait Dive Team),Kuwait Environment Protection Society (Kuwait Dive Team), Kuwait Centre for Volunteer work,Kuwait Centre for Volunteer work, Kuwait Science club,Kuwait Science club, Kuwait Municipality,Kuwait Municipality, Kuwait Oil Company,Kuwait Oil Company, Coast Guard,Coast Guard, Ministry of Communication,Ministry of Communication, Public Authority for Agriculture Affairs and Fish Resources,Public Authority for Agriculture Affairs and Fish Resources, Dive Clubs,Dive Clubs, Private Companies Specialised in Environmental Issues,Private Companies Specialised in Environmental Issues, British Petroleum company,British Petroleum company, Students from governmental and private schools,Students from governmental and private schools, And many other governmental and non governmental agencies.And many other governmental and non governmental agencies.

Steel barsSteel bars AnchorsAnchors Drink CansDrink Cans BatteriesBatteries CablesCables ToysToys Glass bottlesGlass bottles Etc…Etc…(Total weight about (Total weight about

120 tons)120 tons)

The debris could The debris could consist of:consist of:


Drifting fishing nets: Removal of 17 fishing Drifting fishing nets: Removal of 17 fishing nets with a total weight of 14 tons By nets with a total weight of 14 tons By efforts of the Kuwait Dive Team.efforts of the Kuwait Dive Team.


Dismantling and removing old jetties at coral Dismantling and removing old jetties at coral islandsislands


Kuwait municipality had put rubbish Kuwait municipality had put rubbish containers on the coral island and containers on the coral island and removes rubbish periodically.removes rubbish periodically.


As part of the efforts of the Kuwait Dive Team to As part of the efforts of the Kuwait Dive Team to compensate destruction in natural coral reefs, Jaber Al-Kuwait compensate destruction in natural coral reefs, Jaber Al-Kuwait Reefs is a continuous project since 1995 to establishReefs is a continuous project since 1995 to establish

Artificial Reefs: Jaber Al-Kuwait ReefsArtificial Reefs: Jaber Al-Kuwait Reefs

artificial reefs by artificial reefs by deployment of deployment of concrete blocks of concrete blocks of different shapes and different shapes and sizes, mainly in areas sizes, mainly in areas adjacent to coral reefs adjacent to coral reefs (Total weight 950 (Total weight 950 tons, in 20 areas).tons, in 20 areas).


The establishment of artificial The establishment of artificial reefs also aims to:reefs also aims to:

Enable settlement of coral species Enable settlement of coral species and create new coral reefs that and create new coral reefs that would compensate destroyed would compensate destroyed natural coral reefs,natural coral reefs,

Increases the habitats for certain Increases the habitats for certain coral reef associated species (fish, coral reef associated species (fish, sea urchins, algae ….etc,sea urchins, algae ….etc,

Stop drifting fishing nets from Stop drifting fishing nets from covering natural reefs,covering natural reefs,

Help in reducing erosion of coral Help in reducing erosion of coral cays,cays,

Provide additional diving sites Provide additional diving sites (relieves the pressure on natural (relieves the pressure on natural reefs).reefs).


We need to determine the practicality of We need to determine the practicality of artificial reefs, and how do they effect and artificial reefs, and how do they effect and interact with Kuwait’s natural reefs by long interact with Kuwait’s natural reefs by long term studies.term studies.

GAPS:


Establishment and maintenance of Establishment and maintenance of anchor Buoys:anchor Buoys:

They have been deployed by Kuwait Dive They have been deployed by Kuwait Dive Team since 1995, mostly funded by EPA, Team since 1995, mostly funded by EPA, around coral islands and patch reefs around coral islands and patch reefs reaching 88 in numbers, reaching 88 in numbers,

They minimize anchor damage to coral They minimize anchor damage to coral reefs,reefs,

Stop drifting fishing nets from reaching the Stop drifting fishing nets from reaching the reef.reef.


Anchor Buoys:Anchor Buoys:

Drawbacks:Drawbacks: Some are lost due to lack of Some are lost due to lack of

maintenance,maintenance,

Funding for instillation and Funding for instillation and maintenance has to be budgeted maintenance has to be budgeted annually and it is not certain,annually and it is not certain,

Deployment and maintenance is Deployment and maintenance is only carried out by unpaid only carried out by unpaid volunteers. However, this activity volunteers. However, this activity should be the responsibility of a should be the responsibility of a government agency. government agency.


Diving institutes / Societies:Diving institutes / Societies: Encourage voluntary work,Encourage voluntary work, Establish national cadres (staff) specialised in Establish national cadres (staff) specialised in

different fields of coral reefs,different fields of coral reefs, Organize the public effort for a more effective field Organize the public effort for a more effective field

conservation work.conservation work.


National Needs to Improve Coral Reef ConservationNational Needs to Improve Coral Reef Conservation

It is important to enforce bylaws concerning the It is important to enforce bylaws concerning the establishment of EPA,establishment of EPA,

Strengthen legislation for coral reef conservation and for Strengthen legislation for coral reef conservation and for protected areas,protected areas,

Better enforcement of existing legislation,Better enforcement of existing legislation,

Speed up the process of marine protected area Speed up the process of marine protected area declaration,declaration,

Oil companies and other agencies should adopt Oil companies and other agencies should adopt regulations that minimize their adverse effects on the regulations that minimize their adverse effects on the environment,environment,

Develop capacity for coral reef monitoring by training for Develop capacity for coral reef monitoring by training for coral reef monitoring methods. (e.g. Reef Check, Remote coral reef monitoring methods. (e.g. Reef Check, Remote Sensing, etc..),Sensing, etc..),

Identify and implement methods of coral reef conservation Identify and implement methods of coral reef conservation and management,and management,

Build capacity for research and study of coral reefs,Build capacity for research and study of coral reefs,

Include coral reef value and the benefit of its conservation in Include coral reef value and the benefit of its conservation in public awareness and educational programs,public awareness and educational programs,

Integrate the conservation efforts of government and non-Integrate the conservation efforts of government and non-government organizations,government organizations,

Building capacity for a national coral reef database.Building capacity for a national coral reef database.

National Needs to Improve Coral Reef ConservationNational Needs to Improve Coral Reef Conservation(contd.)(contd.)

conservation of coral reefs in kuwait arabian gulf marin conservation forum abu dhabi, united arab...

Documents

coral species

kuwait reefs

coral islands kubbar

coral reef communities

platform reefs

submerged reefs

surrounding reef slide

kubbar island slide