File photo used for representation only
To preserve marine environment of Qatar, Qatargas, in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change and Qatar University (QU), is implementing Coral Management Programme (CMP) to protect coral reefs.
“The programme aims at increasing spaces for marine habitats of the country, protecting coral reefs and support the scientific research of QU laboratory in growing artificial coral reefs,” said Hilal Al Mohannadi, Acting Head of Environmental and Regulatory Affairs at Qatargas while speaking in a Qatar TV programme recently. He said coral reefs relocation and deployment has great importance for environment because it is needed by marine life for inhabitation and foods. “The project needs scientific research. Now Qatar University is conducting research on it in a big way. Coral reefs constitute a unique biological environment that contributes in supporting the marine ecosystem in the State of Qatar,” said Al Mohannadi. Coral Management Programme is being implemented in four phases.
“First is selecting a suitable location by conducting environmental evaluation study, for example temperature of the location, sea waves and others,” Al Mohannadi said. The second phase, he added, is related to building an artificial coral reef which comprises of rocks in natural size and deployment in the water in a proper engineering way.
“The third phase is about relocating a live coral reef to the selected location. In the fourth phase, reports about the success of the project and response of the marine life to the locations and growth of coral reef itself are released.”
He said an artificial coral reef should meet the specifications of the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, made of environment-friendly cement materials.
“They also undergo experiment in facing the pressure of sea waves and keep moving with waves due to lightweight,” said Al Mohannadi.
He said Qatar University is conducting research on coral reefs in Aquatic Research Center run by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change.
“The study focuses on how to grow coral reefs, preparing situation to grow coral reefs faster in the nature. The scientific research also aims at building database of coral reefs in the State of Qatar,” said Al Mohannadi. He said Qatargas as a company supporting the project will utilise the research work in adopting best type of coral reefs for reallocating from one place to other.
