ABU DHABI, 7 June, 05 (WAM) - Experts from around the worldhave converged on the capital to discuss the establishment ofan Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) programme in theUAE to achieve coordinated planning and integration with regardsto coastal and marine area development and use in the country.
The experts are taking part in a four-day symposium organisedby the Environmental Research and Wildlife Development Agency(Erwda). It is being held at Beach Rotana Hotels and Towers,Abu Dhabi, according to a report in Khaleej Times.
With the UAE being a coastal state where its people have dependedon the sea for sustenance and survival for generations, thissymposium comes as a great opportunity to provide a forum forthe establishment of a national ICZM programme.
Once established, this programme should facilitate arrangementstowards developing integrated decision-making based up on a dynamicprocess of cooperation and coordination between the differentsectors and across various levels involved in the exploitationand management of coastal and marine areas and resources.
In his opening address, Saeed Mohammed Al Raqbani, Ministerof Agriculture and Fisheries, said the symposium marked an importantmilestone in the UAE's efforts to strike a balance between theconservation and development of its coastal and marine environment.
"Our coastal and marine environment is an integral part of thecountry's natural and cultural heritage. The UAE has a relativelylong coastline stretching about 700 kilometres and touching twobodies of water, the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. Millionsof UAE nationals and residents live in coastal areas. Coastaland marine resources are among our country's great natural assetsand enjoyment of these assets continues a major part of the country'stradition and way of life," said Raqbani.
He said UAE costal and marine environment forms an importanteconomic engine that contributes to the livelihood of the citizensand residents throughout the country, and to the UAE economy.
"The fishery sector directly employs close to 20,000 fishermen,and the UAE is an important fish producer in the Arabian Gulfregion and ranks second in terms of fish production among theGulf countries," he said, adding: "The country's waterways andsea are a key component of our transportation with the most ofthe incoming cargo entering, and almost all oil leaving the countrythrough the sea." The minister said tourism, which heavily dependsupon the coast for its development, is an emerging and fast growingindustry in the UAE. Together with recreational and leisure activities,this industry has the potential to become a major income earnerfor the country, he added.
"Furthermore, the ecosystems in the costal zone are importantfor biological productivity and storm protection and erosioncontrol," he said.
He said that despite the many steps and measures taken by theUAE, the country's valuable costal resources are being increasinglythreatened.
"The unprecedented pace of development and unfettered pursuitof multiple use activities in costal areas inevitably lead tocompetition for finite resources, environmental degradation withentailing environmental and social conflict. Furthermore, someof the development practices are ignoring the dynamics of coastalsystems," said Raqbani.
