The ROPME Sea Area (RSA) is endowed with valuable natural resources and a great biodiversity of plant and animal species. The wetlands, waterfowl, mangroves, fish, marine mammals, turtles, corals and other forms of life are treasures of the region. Its dugong population is second in global importance only to Australia’s. There are some 20 species of dolphin and whale, all the five subtropical species of turtles, and more than 1000 species of fish, most of which are endemic and have a high commercial value.

Our marine waters are shallow and virtually landlocked, experiencing extremes of salinity and temperature. Evaporation is high, precipitation is poor and freshwater supply is decreasing.

The risk of oil pollution is one of the highest anywhere, mainly due to the concentration of offshore installations, tanker terminals, petrochemical industries and the huge volume of oil transported by ships. The offshore installations are located in the inner sea area, a critically balanced ecosystem with higher levels of pollutants, salinity and temperature. The establishment of reception facilities for oily wastes and other wastes is of high priority, as is the protection of water quality in the vicinity of water intakes.

For the past three decades the Region has witnessed one of the world’s highest rates of economic growth. The rise in industrialization together with high population growth and rapid urbanization have resulted in ever-greater impacts from land-based sources of pollution on the region’s coastal waters. To take advantage of access to the sea for transportation and water, almost all development projects have been established on the coasts, where they release their effluents into the most productive areas of the marine environment. Municipal sewage, industrial wastes, dredging and reclamation activities are permanent features of many parts of the coast.

The draining of the Marshlands of Mesopotamia has posed serious threats to the wildlife and to the ecological balance of vast areas, affecting water quality and the spawning grounds of shrimp and migratory species of fish. Successive satellite images depict the transformation of a one-time haven for migratory birds and a major fisheries resource into an arid, barren land.

In April 1978, the eight Governments of the Region adopted the Kuwait Convention and Action Plan, making us one of the first Regional Seas. The Plan mainly covers programme activities relating to oil pollution, industrial wastes, sewage and marine resources. Projects range over coastal area management, fisheries, public health, land-based activities, sea-based pollution, biodiversity, oceanography, marine emergencies, GIS and remote sensing, environmental awareness and capacity building.

Milestones include the creation in 1979 of the Regional Organization for the Protection of the Marine Environment (ROPME), the establishment in 1982 of the Marine Emergency Mutual Aid Centre (MEMAC), and the adoption of four protocols addressing marine emergencies, hazardous wastes, land-based activities and sea-based pollution.

The concept of environmentally sound and sustainable development has been promoted by ROPME since its establishment. To this effect, many programmes have been prepared and successfully implemented. Our State of the Marine Environment Report bears witness to how seriously our Member States are taking the protection of their marine environment.

Dr Abdul Rahman Al-Awadi is Executive Secretary of ROPME

Regional Organization for the Protection of Marine Environment (ROPME)
P.O. Box 26388
Safat 13124, Kuwait,
State of Kuwait
Tel: +965 531 2140/3;
Fax: +965 533 5243
E-mail: ropme@quality.net / ropme@kuwait.net