UNSPECIFIED. (1993) THE GULF - HUMAN IMPACTS AND MANAGEMENT INITIATIVES. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN, 27 . pp. 17-27. ISSN 0025-326X

Abstract

The Gulf's marine environment is becoming increasingly important in fulfilling social, economic, development and strategic objectives of the region. Human activities and their effects on the Gulf environment are analysed, together with coastal management activities, to understand the context of impacts from the 1991 Gulf War. Oil, domestic, urban and industrial pollutants are a problem in several parts of the Gulf, although effects on ecosystem structure and function are generally not well known. The coastal zone is also fast becoming the repository for solid wastes. Major ecological problems have arisen from loss/degradation of production coastal habitats, caused by coastal landfill, dredging and sedimentation. In some Gulf States (e.g. Saudi Arabia) more than 40% of the coastline has now been developed. Anchor damage to coral reefs is now a problem on Jurayd island and possibly elsewhere. In addition to fishing, hunting of bird eggs is intensive in some areas. Agriculture appears not to be causing major coastal environmental problems, but further studies are needed. Possible longer-term coastal impacts in the Gulf include effects of global climate change, acid deposition and large-scale marine ecosystem instability. The key elements of integrated coastal management are described, with special reference to Saudi Arabia. Regional conservation activities include the UNEP's Kuwait Action Plan. Upholding existing agreements is particularly important in the Gulf, whose transboundary resources constitute a valuable 'commons' shared by eight countries and utilized by many more.

Data sourced from Thomson Reuters' Web of Knowledge

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