Qatar Whale Shark Conservation Forum 2023 Kicks Off
Doha, May 22 (QNA) - Qatar whale shark conservation forum 2023, organized by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MoECC), in partnership with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) kicked off Monday and lasts for two days, at the Aquatic Fisheries Research Center in Ras Matakh, north of Qatar.
Three main sessions were held in the forum, during which 18 research papers were presented, with the participation of more than 11 local, regional and international experts and researchers.
The research papers reviewed a number of topics related to preserving the whale shark, the factors affecting its life and some of the risks it faces, and studies of its migration patterns in the seas and oceans. The research presented also included modern technologies used to track its migration patterns.
In his speech during the opening of the forum, HE Minister of Environment and Climate Change Sheikh Dr. Faleh bin Nasser bin Ahmed bin Ali Al-Thani affirmed that the organization of the forum was based on the ministry's responsibilities with the international community in protecting the environment, and as a complement to the State's active role in preserving marine life and the important biodiversity it contains, pointing out that the ministry seeks to hold the forum periodically in coordination with the concerned international and regional bodies. Qatar's His Excellency pointed out that preserving marine life of all kinds and working to protect it plays a prominent role in preserving the marine environmental balance, which reflects positively on all the inhabitants of the earth.
His Excellency reviewed the country's efforts over the past years, adding that Qatar has launched the National Environment and Climate Change Strategy (QNE) 2030, and has also prepared Qatar National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan for the Conservation and Management of Marine Resources, and the preparation of maps of coastal areas and maps of benthic habitats of environmental importance, as well as updating and issuing legislation and laws that protect the marine environment and criminalize harming its biodiversity, in addition to working to increase the area of marine reserves to 30 percent of the exclusive economic zone of the State of Qatar.
HE Minister of Environment and Climate Change stated that within the framework of the State of Qatar's keenness to achieve its National Vision 2030, especially with regard to the fourth pillar concerned with environmental development, the Ministry has conducted research and studies related to biological diversity, including the study that was conducted in 2010, which included several regions, under the supervision of a group of scientists and specialists, where it documented the intense presence of whale sharks in Qatar, and revealed that the Qatari territorial waters witness one of the largest concentrations of these fish, specifically in the Al-Shaheen field in the northeastern region of the country's waters.
His Excellency indicated that the average number of them, according to the most important statistics, reached about 600 whale sharks, pointing out that no higher number has been documented anywhere else in the world, in addition to information on the lifestyles of this organism and its surrounding environment. This provided the important infrastructure for developing plans to protect it and preserve its life within the Qatari territorial waters.
HE Minister of Environment and Climate Change noted the importance of convening such regional forums, which are a platform for consultation between regional and international partners to highlight international efforts to protect marine biodiversity, transfer knowledge and exchange opinions, ideas and viewpoints through discussion sessions and research papers presented, pointing out that this forum supports the coordination of efforts between partners, and contributes to developing a common vision on the most important challenges and risks facing this rare type of whale.
He referred to the importance of joint work to develop solutions and recommendations and take appropriate decisions to protect these species from risks and challenges, in order to achieve what everyone aspires to preserve whale sharks as one of the important wild animals.
He revealed a study to establish a regional office for the whale shark in the State of Qatar, as part of the country's efforts to preserve the whale shark, and as a continuation of the ministry's efforts that it has been carrying out for years to preserve marine biodiversity in Qatar in a way that contributes to increasing the regions capabilities to protect these fish, and placing them on an ambitious road map with clear landmarks that enhance sustainability efforts among all regional efforts to preserve and protect the living creatures in our territorial waters.
Concluding his speech, HE Minister of Environment and Climate Change appreciated the efforts of all parties, partners and supporters of this forum, including the UNESCO office, Qatar University, Qatar Airways, the Seashore Recycling and Sustainability Company and all participants, expressing his hope that this regional forum would be held annually, to unify efforts and joint action, and to build an effective strategy to preserve whale sharks in the region.
For her part, Program Specialist at the UNESCO Office for the GCC and Yemen Farida Aboudan affirmed that the forum coincided with the International Day for Biological Diversity is a reminder of the importance of preserving the environment, in a way that guarantees the safety of whale sharks.
She pointed out that whale sharks occupy an important place in the world today, due to their unique characteristics, warning of challenges that threaten their survival, such as the destruction and damage of their important habitats, and the impact of climate change on the marine ecosystem, and the impact of pollution in the form of plastic waste, chemical runoff, and oil spills.
Aboudan pointed out that the lack of awareness of the importance of whale sharks is one of the threats that impede efforts to preserve it, noting that UNESCO is engaged in fruitful discussions with the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, with the aim of building a strong partnership in order to effectively face challenges. This cooperation also aims to enhance efforts to protect and conserve whale sharks, ensuring their long-term survival and preserving their vital ecosystems.
She explained that joint efforts include research, scientific cooperation, capacity building, as well as education and public awareness, stressing the need to benefit from the international expertise of UNESCO, and the importance of supporting Qatar's initiatives aimed at protecting its natural heritage and promoting sustainable practices, pointing out to the Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Program, and UNESCO's Marine World Heritage programs, which provide significant support for the conservation of marine life and their fragile habitats.
The UNESCO education program specialist indicated that the joint initiative between UNESCO and the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change is fully in line with the United Nations Decade of Ocean Sciences for Sustainable Development (2021-2030), also known as the Ocean Decade, which aims to promote and develop the science necessary to understand, protect and sustainably manage our oceans and their resources.
During her speech, she stressed the importance of capacity building and education in promoting sustainable practices, pointing out that these programs enhance the skills and knowledge of stakeholders, so that they can adopt responsible tourism practices and sustainable fishing methods, which ensures the long-term health of whale sharks and their habitats.
She noted that the partnership between UNESCO and the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change represents a strong platform for exchanging knowledge and sharing best practices, research results and protection strategies with neighboring countries and abroad.
Farida Abboudan noted the interdependence of the ecosystems in the patterns of whales during their movement, including feeding areas, breeding areas, and migration corridors, emphasizing that any threats to these habitats in one location could have implications for their long-term survival and conservation, a collaborative approach that transcends national boundaries is necessary.
Concluding her speech, Education Program Specialist affirmed UNESCO's appreciation for the ongoing discussions with the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, referring to the organization's commitment to work to protect the wonderful natural heritage of the State of Qatar, and looking forward to positive results based on this partnership.
At the end of the opening session of the forum, HE Minister of Environment and Climate Change Sheikh Dr. Faleh bin Nasser bin Ahmed bin Ali Al-Thani honored the participating institutions and sponsors.
The Whale Shark Forum addresses several axes, most notably: discussing ways to preserve and develop whale sharks in all participating countries, and identifying the most important challenges facing these endangered fish in general, to determine the best ways to overcome them.
The forum aims to gather stakeholders under one roof to discuss various topics related to whale sharks, raise awareness of the importance of protecting them, enhancing cooperation and partnerships among the participants, and discussing ways to develop a regional strategy for the conservation of whale sharks. (QNA)
