Abu Dhabi: Save our coral reefs and beaches

The National 2 Jun 08;

It was an unfortunate coincidence yesterday that while the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) was announcing in Abu Dhabi the results of its three-year coral reef mapping project in Qatar and Abu Dhabi that a large oil spill off the coast of Fujairah was blackening beaches and killing fish and crabs.

Fujairah Municipality officials say they are investigating who is responsible for the spill, which has affected three kilometres of coastline. The latest oil slick has alarmed local hotels and resorts, which are concerned that their businesses will suffer when guests recoil at the black mess coating everything on the beach. It is expected that it will take two to three days for a specially hired clean-up company to complete its operations.

The results of the WWF study were equally alarming, estimating that 65 per cent of the coral reefs off of Abu Dhabi and Qatar have already been killed. The positive news is that there are signs of rejuvenation.

Financed by a $500,000 grant from Dolphin Energy, the study was conducted to determine the extent of the damage to the coral and identify ways of reversing it. One of the methods under consideration is the creation of artificial reefs in strategic positions where coral can grow.

The latest oil spill is the fourth this year, and apart from the obvious environmental damage it is causing, it is also severely affecting the east coast businesses that depend on tourism.

With Fujairah already the second busiest bunkering port in the world, it is unlikely that spills will decrease without Government action. Most spills are deliberate, the result of crews cleaning out tanks at sea rather than using expensive port facilities. This must be stopped. Constant surveillance of the shipping lanes off Fujairah using satellite technology, small aircraft and boats would identify the culprits.

The imposition of the heavy fines that are already on the statute books would help pay the cost of the surveillance, but more importantly deter the tanker captains and shipowners. A few well-publicised fines – or jail sentences – would quickly instil respect for these anti-pollution laws.

The Gulf Cooperation Council should also get involved, since oil spills have affected the coastlines of all six members at one time or another. If the GCC came up with a unified policy on dealing with spills in Gulf it could share the costs and manpower burdens of the enforcement laws.

As for the coral, Abu Dhabi needs to continue to regulate carefully the development of its coastline to ensure as little damage as possible to the reefs. These beautiful but fragile structures are the most biologically diverse marine ecosystems in the world, and they protect coastal areas from storm surges and erosion. Just as important, they play host to a rich variety of marine life that is essential for sustaining commercial fishing. Protecting them should continue to be one of our most urgent priorities.