Marine Environment Regulations: Mandatory Disclosure of Risks and Suspension of Violating Activities
The updated regulations include a requirement for activities seeking environmental authorization to fully disclose any potential risks to wildlife and its natural habitats to ensure their sustainability.
This disclosure includes effects arising during sensitive seasons such as breeding and migration, and these must be included in impact assessment studies and environmental audits before any operational processes begin.
broad powers
The new legislation grants broad powers to the National Center for Wildlife Development and the Coral Reef Conservation Corporation to take decisive regulatory measures when any serious environmental risks are detected.
The competent authorities, in coordination with the Environmental Compliance Monitoring Center, may impose temporary restrictions or suspend activities to protect the marine environment, as preventative measures rather than punitive ones.
Strict controls
The regulations stipulate strict controls for fishing licenses, making them personal and non-transferable, and requiring applicants to have a clean record with no more than two environmental violations in the past two years.
The relevant authority is responsible for processing fishing license applications within ten working days, providing detailed information specifying fishing methods, permitted quantities, and geographical scope for a period not exceeding one year.
Regarding research, the regulations mandate obtaining prior authorization before collecting marine samples, limiting such collections to the minimum required, and clearly stating ownership of any research findings for samples exported abroad.
Written consent
The regulations prohibit the publication of any data or studies related to the marine environment without written approval from the Ministry, ensuring that the dissemination of information related to the Kingdom's natural resources is regulated through an official mechanism.
The regulations also extend to marine sports, prohibiting the holding of competitions or events for motorized vessels or diving activities without prior environmental authorization to ensure that sensitive habitats are not harmed.
