Jordan and the Nagoya Protocol
Jordan signed the Nagoya Protocol the tenth of January 2012. The instrument for ratification was accepted twelve October 2014 when the Protocol came into force. The Section Nagoya Protocol gives more information on the implementation of the Protocol.
Threats to the marine ecosystems: Gulf of Aqaba
| Release date | 26/07/2017 |
|---|---|
| Contributor | hmalkawi |
| Geographical coverage | Jordan |
| THREATS TO THE MARINE ECOSYSTEM: GULF OF AQABA |
| Pollution by chemicals: According to the report submitted by the delegation of the European Community in 1993 and a study published by Mergner in 1981, the clean water in the Gulf of Aqaba is affected mainly as a result of pollution with nutrients. The major pollution impact on the Gulf of Aqaba is due to the spill of raw phosphate. High phosphate concentrations were reported in the vicinity of the phosphate-loading berth.
Enrichment of phosphate in the Gulf stimulates algae growth. The second potential source of pollution comes from the handling of fertilizers and the spill of rice and grain in port areas. Such spills, particularly raw phosphate, will decrease the transparency of water and gradually lead to the eutrophication of the water, thus harming marine life by reducing light intensity. Urban and industrial development: The short coastline of Aqaba is very busy not only because of port activities but also because of significant constructions, hotels and other industrial buildings. The discharge from these buildings and ships is automatically flowing into the Gulf water. New constructions destroy the sea beds and have a negative effect on the biotope in which the animals survive. Moreover, humans residing or working in the buildings near the shore dump large amounts of litter. Such scenes are often witnessed on the shoreline near the Marine Science Station. Sewage infiltration and direct discharge into the gulf waters are also affecting both water quality and animal life as stated by the 1993 European Community Delegation report on the coastal resources and environmental management in Aqaba. Other threats to marine life and fisheries include: -Oil spills; -Over-fishing of high value marine and coastal resources; -Destruction of coral reefs and shallow water habitat though inadequate anchoring practices; -Coastal erosion and depletion of mangroves; -By-catch of non targeted or protected species; -Use of illegal fishing gears and fishing out of season; -Introduction of alien fish species. |