SDG 14 Life below Water
This SDG is oriented towards conserving and sustainably using the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.
Relevant State Laws and Legislations
Marine Environmental Protection
The Law No. 30 of 2002 on Promulgating the Law of the Environment Protection addresses different environmental legislations in Qatar. For example, the Marine Environmental Protection chapter in the mentioned Law enforces regulations concerning pollution from vessels; including oil, hazardous substances and sewage pollution. It also enforces regulations with regard to reducing and preventing marine pollution from land-based activities, as the example shown in the Pollution from Land-based sources part as addressed in articles 55-61:
Article (55)
Subject to the provisions of the Protocol concerning Pollution from Land-Based Sources and Activities referred to above, such sources shall include any fixed or mobile municipal, industrial, agricultural, Land-Based Sources, which Discharge their effluents into the Marine Environment and in particular the following sources:
- Estuaries and pipelines that Discharge into the sea
- Canals or water run offs, including groundwater aquifers
- Fixed and mobile maritime installations used for purposes other than exploration or exploitation of the sea floor, earth ground and continental shelf, including sea platforms and drillers, man-made islands, etc
- Any other Land based sources located in the State lands, whether through water, air, or directly from coast
Article (56)
It shall be prohibited for all Projects and Establishments including public places and commercial, industrial, recreational and service Establishments, to Discharge or dump intentionally or unintentionally, directly or indirectly any non treated substances, wastes or fluids potentially polluting to the onshore or contiguous waters.
Article (57)
For Licensing any Project, Establishment or premise on the seafront or nearby that may Discharge pollutants in violation to the provisions of this law and implementing decisions thereof, the licensor shall conduct an Environmental Impact Assessment, and commit to provide the necessary waste treatment devices.
Article (58)
The Executive Regulation shall determine the specifications and criteria for the industrial Projects permitted to Discharge polluting substances, after treatment. The Executive Regulation shall also determine the non-biodegradable polluting substances industrial Establishments are prohibited from discharging in the Aquatic Environment.
Article (59)
The representative, or those responsible for the Project or the Establishment management as stated in Article 56 of this law, which drain in the water Environments, is responsible for any violation performed by the workers, and also responsible of providing the treatment means typical to the standards and specifications as determined by the Executive Regulation.
Article (60)
Subject to the provisions of Law No. 10 of 1987 referred to above, it shall be prohibited to establish any Project or Establishment on the coastal areas to a minimum distance of 200 meters from the coast line seaward, save after the agreement of the Competent Administrative Authority in coordination with the Council. The Executive Regulation shall regulate the relevant procedures and conditions.
Article (61)
Subject to the provisions of Law No. 4 of 1983, it shall be prohibited to carry out any work that affects the natural flow line of the coast, or changing thereof to seaward or the tide line, except after the permission of the Competent Administrative Authority, in coordination with the Council. The Executive Regulation shall regulate the relevant procedures and conditions.
Supporting Aquatic Ecosystems
The Law No. 32 of 1995 on Preventing Damage to Plant Ecology and Ecosystem is an example of supporting plant ecosystems, such as the enforcement of controlled grazing and harvesting as addressed in articles 3-7:
