Coral Reef Conservation in Qatar
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CoralCoral ReefReef ConservationConservation inin QatarQatar Dr.Dr. MohamedMohamed AlaaAlaa AbdelAbdel--MoatiMoati SCENRSCENR-- StateState ofof QatarQatar EE--mail:mail: [email protected]@qatarenv.org.qa Land Area 11,437 Km2 Marine Area 35,000 Km2 =15% of the Gulf Eastern Coast 325 Km Western Coast 285 Km Both = 23% of the Gulf Coastline Average depth 30 m (max: 60 m EEZ) Marine Area harbors >90% of Development activities MarineMarine ResourcesResources ofof QatarQatar ThreatsThreats toto QatariQatari MarineMarine ResourcesResources TemperatureTemperature andand SalinitySalinity 39 37 35 33 31 Temprature °C 29 27 07 08 09 10 Months 1995 1996 1997 1998 AugustAugust 20062006 EchinodermsEchinoderms DiseasesDiseases ManMan--MadeMade threatsthreats toto QatariQatari MarineMarine EnvironmentEnvironment ¾¾ DredgingDredging ActivitiesActivities (turbidity,(turbidity, sedimentation)sedimentation) Qatar Pearl NDIA ThermalThermal EffluentsEffluents PollutionPollution PhysicalPhysical disturbancedisturbance OverfishingOverfishing TourismTourism CoralCoral SurveysSurveys ¾ SARC (ESC/ University of Qatar) survey. ¾ Qatar Coral Monitoring Program (QCMP) (SCENR). The aim of 2004 survey was: • baseline assessment of coral reef status and health • mapping the extent and location of coral reefs along Qatar EEZ • Measure the vulnerability of the resources • monitoring of coral condition in fixed locations • rapid assessment of the status of reef-associated fauna, flora and fish • development of first-level management suggestions • produce a report that serve as a baseline for future, more detailed study • hands-on training of SCENR staff ¾ The survey was executed by SCENR / National Coral Reef Institute at Nova Southeastern University in Florida (USA)/ University of Qatar (ESC), and Qatari Coast Guard. NDIANDIA andand RAFRAF ReefReef NDIA Reef RAF Reef KhorKhor AlAl OdaidOdaid 8 species of coral were alive: ¾ Cyphastrea microphthalma ¾ Favia sp. Platygyra lamellina ¾ Platygyra crosslandi Porites harrisoni ¾ Porites lutea Coscinarea monile ¾ Coscinarea columna Platygyra crosslandi Coscinarea monile Live Acropora arabensis and Favia pallida HalulHalul IslandIsland 16 species were encountered: ¾ Acropora arabensis ¾ Acropora clathrata ¾ Acropora downingi ¾ Platygyra daedalea ¾ Platygyra lamellina ¾ Favia favus ¾ Favia speciosa ¾ Pavona decussata ¾ Psammocora haimeana Acropora arabensis ¾ Porites lutea (2 yrs old) ¾ Porites solida ¾ Porites harrisoni ¾ Porites nodifera ¾ Cyphastrea microphthalma ¾ Plesiastrea versipora ¾ Leptastrea purpurea Live Acropora clathrata probably settled in 1999 App. 5-6 year old Acropora downingi Porites harrisoni Platygyra lamellina (foreground) and Porites harrisoni (directly behind) WhyWhy HalulHalul IslandIsland presentlypresently hashas thethe bestbest coralcoral growthgrowth inin QatarQatar 1. Water Depth: The island is situated near deep water (in excess of 20m) reducing the potential stress by unusually heated seawater. 2. Stronger currents than mainland reefs This has two effects: Firstly: the currents aid in the removal of toxic metabolites from coral tissues at the onset of potential bleaching events and may thus aid in avoiding lethal bleaching. Secondly: the currents bring larvae from upstream seeding areas, such as the Saudi Arabian offshore islands and, possibly, Iran. UmmUmm alal ArshanArshan 14 species in a single dive: ¾ Acropora clathrata ¾ Cyphastrea microphthalma ¾ Porites lutea ¾ Porites harrisoni Mixed faviid:Turbinaria assemblage ¾ Plesiastrea versipora ¾ Siderastrea siderea ¾ Coscinarea monile ¾ Coscinarea columna ¾ Platygyra lamellina ¾ Favia pallida ¾ Turbinaria reniformis ¾ Pavona decussata ¾ Psammocora haimeana ¾ Favites pentagona Acropora downingi Dense schools of Lutjanus snappers ““batterybattery”” forfor regenerationregeneration A large Platygyra lamellina ( not bleached) Turbinaria peltata (right), next to Favia pallida Dead Acropora skeleton in 3m of water RasRas laffanlaffan 9 species: ¾ Cyphastrea microphthalma ¾ Porites lutea ¾ Porites harrisoni Porites harrisoni ¾ Plesiastrea versipora in 5m of water ¾ Siderastrea siderea ¾ Coscinarea monile ¾ Coscinarea columna ¾ Platygyra lamellina ¾ Favia pallida Porites lutea on the Ras Laffan port breakwater SurveySurvey ResultsResults Location Site visited Live Corals ¾ NDIA 4 None ¾ Khor Odaid 3 8 ¾ Fasht Al-Ghabi 3 3+ ¾ Halul Island 4 16-20* ¾ Fasht Al-Dibal 2 3 ¾ Fasht Al-Aref 2 2 ¾ Fasht Al-Hedied 2 1 ¾ Fasht al-Bisheriah 1 None ¾ Ras laffan 4 9 ¾ Umm Al-Arshan 1 4 ¾ Shrura’aw 3 6** * Pavona cactus only recoded in this site ** 2005 binational cruise ArtificialArtificial ReefReef ¾ Surface area: 5 m2 ¾ Weight: 250 kg ¾ Height : 1 m ¾ Base Width : 95 cm ¾ Coarse Aggregate: 20 mm (Gabbro) ¾ Fine Aggregate: Qatar Sand Treatment Plant ¾ Holes: Eight (2 on each side) (11cm Diameter) Top:30cm 1818th August,August, 20032003 Sea Cucumbers are very common benthos on Reef Balls Rare Scarus sordidus Fish Sea Urchins 1818th August,August, 20032003 ArtificialArtificial ReefReef GuidelinesGuidelines RegionalRegional CooperationCooperation SCENR EAD DOLPHIN WWF EWS NCRI CoralCoral SettlementSettlement CoralCoral relocationrelocation ¾ Introduction of viable adult colonies into denuded areas in order to create new broodstock for local recruitment. ¾ Breeding of corals in the laboratory “Nubbins” ¾ In areas of high coral density, if mass spawning occurs, coral spawn slicks can be collected and moved to denuded areas, where the coral larvae are then pumped onto the reef in the expectation that they will settle. AwarenessAwareness OrganizationOrganization && legislationlegislation ¾ PermanentPermanent EnvironmentalEnvironmental ProtectionProtection committeecommittee 19811981 ¾ EnvironmentEnvironment DepartmentDepartment (MMAA)(MMAA) 19941994 ¾ SCENRSCENR 20002000 ¾ KuwaitKuwait ConventionConvention 19781978 ¾ LawLaw ## 44 forfor 19831983 andand LawLaw ## 1919 forfor 2003.2003. ¾ AmeriAmeri decreedecree ## 44 forfor 20022002 (Islands(Islands areare PAsPAs)) ¾ EnvironmentEnvironment LawLaw No.No. 3030 forfor 20022002 ¾ StandardsStandards andand RegulationsRegulations 20052005 SuggestionsSuggestions forfor futurefuture managementmanagement ¾ Expand PAs of coral reefs and associated habitats ¾ Enforce law and regulations for the sake of coral conservation ¾ Capacity building for effective management ¾ Strengthen science (research & application) and monitoring programs. ¾ Change conservation objectives – e.g. from monitoring # species to functional redundancy ¾ Increase awareness to sea visitors (educational, CDs, brochures,…) ¾ Informing the public of sustainable choices ¾ Launch Atlas for sensitive areas (expected 2/2007) ¾ Strengthen database network and website on corals ¾ Enhance binational, regional and international cooperation. ¾ Proactive, responsive management ¾ Economic valuation of the resource in order to set fines and compensations ThankThank YouYou.