File photo. Photo credit: Neeshad Shafi Twitter Account
Qatar has taken several measures to protect marine life and coral reefs in partnership with research institutions and private bodies.
The Ministry of Municipality and Environment (MME) recently announced that Qatar’s dugongs had reached about 840, said to be the largest gathering of these marine mammals in Qatari waters in 30 years. This number validates the Ministry’s commitment to protecting dugongs and their habitat from harm.
In the field of research, Qatar University (QU) is working on a series of interconnected projects titled ‘RESTORE’ and ‘QataREEF’ to bridge science to policy and apply advanced scientific knowledge and tools to achieving coral reef sustainability in Qatar and the region.
Yesterday, the world marked World Oceans Day, and the United Nations dedicated this year’s festivities to the life and livelihood that the ocean sustains under the theme, ‘The Ocean: Life and Livelihoods.’
“Each Oceans Day reminds us about the crucial role the oceans play in everyday life. They are the lungs of our planet, and a major source of food and medicine and a critical part of our ecosystem,” Neeshad Shafi, Executive Director Arab Youth Climate Movement Qatar (AYCMQ), told The Peninsula.
The oceans cover approximately 70 percent of the earth’s surface with more than three billion people depending on its resources for their livelihoods. Ocean water fills several of the earth’s basins that keep the planet warm, providing 50 percent of the planet’s oxygen. As the ocean is home to most of the earth’s biodiversity, creating a sustainable way to use ocean resources is crucial.
“I believe this year’s theme is especially relevant in the lead-up to the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development which will run from 2021 to 2030. This will strengthen local and international cooperation to develop scientific research and innovative technologies that can connect ocean science with the needs of society,” Shafi added.
The Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region is home to a diverse range of marine wildlife. Some of these are found across the region, including dugong or the sea cow, found in large groups in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Bahrain. Others are the Mediterranean monk seal, humpback dolphin, whale sharks, blue-spotted rays and turtles, which Qatari authorities annually host for their egg-laying season.
“In Qatar, it’s a symbolic day to remind the public of the impact of human actions on the ocean, develop a movement of citizens for the ocean, and mobilize the world’s population on a project for the sustainable management of the world’s oceans. The project on dugongs and protection of sea turtles and the coral reefs are significant projects taken up by the government to sustain and conserve our marine resources,” Shafi added.
Shafi said the AYCM Qatar is spearheading several initiatives to drive public participation in protecting the environment like Zero Waste Qatar - Workshop and Study Tours, Recycle and Waste Management Surveys, and Eco-Majlis for Recycling.
“The action we take must always be based on knowledge to be effective. Fortunately, exploration and research have given us much of the knowledge we need to diagnose problems and find solutions. Now, we must put this knowledge to task and take tangible actions,” he added.
