Status of Coral Reefs of the World 2000

3. STATUS OF CORAL REEFS IN THE ARABIAN/PERSIAN
GULF AND ARABIAN SEA REGION (MIDDLE EAST)
NICOLAS J. PILCHER, SIMON WILSON, SHAKER H. ALHAZEEM AND
MOHAMMAD REZA SHOKRI
ABSTRACT
This report summarises the status of coral reefs in Bahrain, Iran, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar,
Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, in which coral reef conservation is
coordinated by the Regional Organisation for the Protection of the Marine Environment
(ROPME). There are no reports of coral reefs of Iraq. Information was gathered from
publications and reports provided by people from these countries and the key agencies
operating in the region (some are listed at the end). In the north Arabian/Persian Gulf there
are fringing hard corals along the Iranian side of the Gulf and around the most of the islands,
from Saudi Arabia across to Iran. Most of the south is characterised by limestone or
sandstone, which prevent significant reef accretion. Seawater temperatures and salinity
show some of the widest fluctuations recorded anywhere in the world, and corals have
adapted to survive in these especially harsh conditions. In the Arabian Sea, coral growth is
limited to the southern shorelines, and corals grow beneath a thick algal canopy. There are
areas in southern Oman where large corals exist, but these are not true coral reefs. Reefs
also occur at Ras Madrakah, at Barr Al Hickman and in the shelter of Masirah Island, and
around Ras al Hadd and the Daymaniyat islands.
The region contains complex and unique coral reefs with relatively low biological diversity,
but with many endemic species. Large parts of the region are in a pristine state, but there
are increasing environmental threats from habitat destruction, over-exploitation and
pollution. Coral diversity is lower than in the Indian Ocean, but fish diversity is relatively
high. Coral reefs are generally limited to a few areas due to extreme environmental
conditions. Coral cover is generally low, with evidence of recent, widespread, coral
mortality, as coral communities grow at the limits of tolerance to salinity, temperature, and
sediment load. There were two major coral bleaching events, one in the summer of 1996
and another more severe case in the summer of 1998, which led to near-complete mortality
of the reefs in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, and UAE. An average of around 50% mortality
was experienced in Kuwait and Iran, and lower mortality was recorded in Oman. The major
anthropogenic threats are land-filling and dredging of the reefs for coastal development,
anchor damage from boats, discharges from industrial and desalination facilities, and solid
waste disposal.
Throughout the region, there is a need to reduce boat anchor damage though the use of
permanent mooring buoys. Dredging and land-filling need be curtailed and properly
managed, and the risks of ship-based pollution should be countered through the provision
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