Staff Brig Ali bin Saad Al-Naimi speaking during an interview. Pic: Salim Matramkot / The Peninsula
A recent survey conducted by Staff Brig Ali bin Saad Al-Naimi, an academic associate at Cardiff School of Health Sciences, Cardiff Metropolitan University and former board member of Qatar Scientific Club, indicates that 67 percent participants believe that fish quantity has decreased in the last five years in the coastal areas of Doha.
On reasons behind the decrease in fish quantity, 30 percent say it is due to overfishing, 40 percent hold pollution responsible while 30 percent put the blame on land reclamation. Staff Brig Ali bin Saad Al-Naimi conducted the study for his PhD thesis “Land Reclamation and Marine Environment”.
“The aim of the study was to determine the impact of land reclamation on marine life in Doha’s coastal regions. The other objectives of the study were to evaluate the condition of Doha’s coastal areas, raise awareness and seek the views and gather insights of relevant stakeholders,” Al-Naimi said while talking to The Peninsula.
Another objective of the study, he said, was to recommend appropriate tools for mitigating the impact of land reclamation and identify appropriate measures for averting the future hazards.
Al-Naimi said that he had adopted a qualitative methodology for his study titled "Determination of the Effects of Land Reclamation on Marine Life on Doha's Coastal Region", which included interviews, questionnaires, focus group etc. with experienced stakeholders. “Six groups of stakeholders were involved in the project due to their direct connection to the marine environment: active fishermen, non-active fishermen, recreational staff, government officials linked to the marine environment, coast guards and naval officers.”
He said that only those people had been included in the study who had observed the changes during the period from '80s until present day. He said that 33 percent people said that there was a loss of fish due to land reclamation. “Twenty-fivepercent people say that sediment has increased and 42 percent believe that land reclamation has adverse effects on coral reefs.”
Al-Naimi said that in the study, 83 percent participants noted that pollution level had increased in the last five years. He said that responding to the question on causes of the increase in marine pollution, 33 percent people held land reclamation responsible while 17 percent put blame on global warming and 50 percent on other human activities.
Al-Naimi said 67 percent people had the opinion that land reclamation had harmed marine life while 33 percent participants in the study said that it had obstructed sea currents.
"On advantages of land reclamation, 67 percent participants believe that it is for development and economic benefits while 33 percent people see no benefit of it," he said.
He said that when stakeholders were asked what should be done to help preserve marine life, 43 percent suggested an increase in Marine Protected Areas (MPA) near the coast while 57 percent people advised minimising coastal projects.
“As many as 83 percent participants believe that catching fish in Doha’s coastal areas has become harder in the last five years while 17 percent think it is unchanged,” he said.
Al-Naimi said that his current work had demonstrated that land reclamation had a great effect upon the marine environment in general and on marine life in particular. “In the pilot study phase, the participants started realizing the importance of the study and they were supporting the idea of increasing the awareness of relevant stakeholders on the subject,” he noted.
He observed that brainstorming of all stakeholders was important to evaluate the situation. “It will not only increase the awareness of the problem but will also assist to reach suitable solutions,” he added.
