Task 3: Legal and Policy Review

 

A critical review of the policies and/or regulations for the management of the coastal zone in the Kingdom will be undertaken.  Gaps and shortfalls that may prohibit the effective implementation of the various regulatory instruments for coastal zone and marine management will be identified.  The work will provide a basis for recommendations to update/upgrade of policies for sustainable Coastal and Marine management.

The legal and policy review will, at minimum, encompass:

  1. Environment protection standards;
  2. National oil spill and hazardous substances contingency plans;
  3. Environmental impact assessment;
  4. Rules and regulations for Saudi Arabian sea ports;
  5. Fisheries regulations; and
  6. Wildlife protection.

In addition, the Regional and International Agreements entered by Saudi Arabia will be considered, such as:

  • Kuwait Regional Convention on Protection of the Marine Environment from pollution by (ROPME).
  • The Regional Convention for the Conservation of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden Environment (PERSGA).
  • Protocol Concerning Cooperation in combating pollution by oil and other harmful substances in cases of Emergency: General Principles for Environmental Protection (adapted by the Gulf Cooperation Council in Nov. 1989).
  • Protocol Concerning Marine pollution resulting from Exploration and Exploitation of the Continental Shelf (adopted by the ROPME member states in June 1989).
  • Protocol for the Protection of the Marine Environment against land-Based Sources (adopted by the ROPME member states in Feb. 1990).
  • The Arab Declaration on Environment and Development (adopted on 14Oct. 1986 in Tunis).
  • International Convention on Civil liability for oil pollution damage (CLC)
  • The Establishment of and Int. Found for Compensation for oil pollution damage.
  • World Charter for Nature.
  • Gulf Cooperation Council. A draft law concerning environment protection for GCC member states.
  • World Conservation Strategy.
  • Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Fauna and Flora (CITES).
  • IMO agreements such as Ballast water management.