The National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan

Kingdom of Bahrain
2016-2021

February 04, 2016

Bahrain National Environment Day
Foreword

This Kingdom of Bahrain strives towards achieving sustainable economic growth whilst
recognising that these efforts would only be attainable through the achievement of environmental
sustainability and good environmental management and practice. Despite its small size, Bahrain is
proud to be home to many species and ecosystems, some of which are of great international and
regional significance. Recognising the uniqueness of its natural heritage, which has given the
country its name today and has contributed towards sculpting the country’s culture and identity,
the country has embarked on a two year journey (2013-2015) which has seen it revise and update
its first National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) drafted in 2007.

This document outlines the results of tremendous efforts made by the kingdom which brought
together a wide range of national stakeholders that covered the public and private sector,
academia and research institutions in addition to members from civil society and media. All
stakeholders were engaged with the NBSAP Project Team based at the Supreme Council for
Environment along with the appointed consultants for a long process of rigorous and extensive
consultation. These consultations witnessed four NBSAP stakeholder engagement workshops,
focus groups consultations and one-to-one sessions all of which aimed at defining the next 5 years
strategy for biodiversity conservation in the kingdom of Bahrain.

Furthermore, Bahrain is proud to be one of the first countries in the region to respond to the
initiative launched by the United Nations Environment Programme calling for embracing the
Ecosystem Based Approach on the national and regional levels. In addition, Bahrain is also the first
country in the GCC region to have established its Clearing House Mechanism (CHM). In this spirit,
the kingdom embraces the committed to fulfill the international obligation as a party to the
Convention on Biological Diversity. Moreover, it is committed towards the conservation and
sustainable utilisation of its biodiversity for its citizens and future generations. This second
NBSAP is a key step forward towards achieving this goal.

This project was conducted under the guidance of His Highness Sh. Abdullah Bin Hamad Al
Khalifa, the Personal Representative of His Majesty the King and President of the Supreme Council
for Environment (SCE) and the supervision of Dr. Mohamed Mubarak Bin Daina, the Chief
Executive of the SCE. The Council is deeply grateful to the United Nations Environment
Programme – Regional Office of West Asia (UNEP-ROWA) for their unfailing technical support and
the Global Environment Facility (GEF) for their financial support. Further gratitude goes to all
stakeholders and individuals who have participated and contributed towards this journey of
preparing this NBSAP.

For us, our nation and future generations

The Supreme Council for Environment

ii
Project Title

Updating the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan of the Kingdom of Bahrain. Kingdom of
Bahrain, 2013 - 2015.

Funding Partner

Global Environment Facility (GEF)

GEF Secretariat
1818 H Street, NW, Mail Stop P4-400 | Washington, DC 20433 USA
Tel: (202) 473-0508 | Fax: (202) 522-3240/3245

Technical Support Partner

United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

Diane Klaimi, Regional Programme Officer
Regional Office West Asia (ROWA)
P.O. Box 10880 | Manama| Bahrain
Email: [email protected]
Webpage: http: www.unep.org

Executing Partner

Supreme Council for Environment (SCE)

Directorate of Biodiversity
Bldg 3550 | Road 2849
Al Seef 428 | Manama - Bahrain

Project Team

Dr. Mohamed Mubarak Bin Daina | Chief Executive | SCE

Mr. Abdulqader Khamis | Former Acting Head of the Directorate of Biodiversity | SCE
Mr. Mohamed Abdulrazzag Al Qassim| Acting Head of the Directorate of Biodiversity | SCE
Ms. Nouf Al Wasmi | Project Supervisor | SCE
Ms. Reem Al Mealla | Project Coordinator | SCE
Ms. Tamera Al Husseini | Project Support | SCE

Prepared By

Elsa Sattout, PhD | International Lead Consultant

Biodiversity Conservation & Sustainable Development | Lebanon
E-mail: [email protected] | Webpage: elsasattout.com

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Acknowledgments

We would like to acknowledge the contribution of all experts and reviewers and the
effective participation of all representatives of public and private sectors in the updating
processes of the NBSAP.
Experts
Dr. Elsa Sattout | International Consultant
Prof. Jameel Al Khuzai| National Consultant
Dr. Ameer Abdulla | International Consultant

Reviewers
Dr. Humood Naser | University of Bahrain
Dr. Abdelmawgoud Ragab | Directorate of Agricultural Affairs
Mr. Bassam Al Shuwaikh | Directorate of Fisheries
Mrs. Nouf Al Wasmi | Supreme Council for Environment
Ms. Eman Hussein | Civil Society
Government Sector
 Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities
 The Informatics and e-government
 Chamber of Commerce and Industry
 Economic Development Board
 Electricity and Water Authority
 National Oil and Gas Authority
 Ministry of Education
 Ministry of Finance
 Ministry of Interior
o Customs
o National Coast Guard
 Ministry of Transport and Telecommunications
 Ministry of Works, Municipality and Urban Planning
o Marine Resources Affairs
o Directorate of Agriculture Affairs
 Supreme Council for Environment
 Supreme Council for Women
 Survey and Land Registration Bureau
o Topographic Survey Directorate
o Hydrographic Survey Directorate

Private Sector
 Environment Arabia Consultancy Services
 Gulf Petrochemical Industries CO.
 Mattar Jewelers
 The Bahrain Petroleum Company
 The National Initiative for Agricultural Development (NIAD)
Academic Sector
 Arabian Gulf University
 Bahrain Centre for Strategic, International and Energy Studies
 University of Bahrain
Civil Society and NGOs
 Arab Youth Climate Movement, Bahrain Chapter
 Bahrain Environment Society
 National Institute for Human Rights
 Youth and Environment Society
 Intergovernmental organizations
 United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
 United Nations Environmental Programme – Regional Office of West Asia (UNEP-
ROWA)

Acronyms

AGU Arabian Gulf University

Alba Aluminium Bahrain
ARCWH Arab Regional Centre for World Heritage
ASRY Arab Shipbuilding and Repair Yard
AZE Areas with Zero Extinction
AYCM Arab Youth Climate Movement
BACA Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiques
BALEXECO Bahrain Aluminium Extrusion Co.
BANAGAS Bahrain National Gas
BAPCO The Bahrain Petroleum Company
BAS Bahrain Airport Services
BASREC Bahrain Ship Repairing and Engineering Company
BCCI Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry
BES Bahrain Environment Society
BDB Bahrain Development Bank
BWA Bahrain Women Association
CBD Convention on Biological Diversity
CITES Convention on International Trade of Endangered Fauna and
Flora Species
CITO Central Informatics and Telecommunications Organization
CPB Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety
CMS Convention on Migratory Species
DAA Directorate of Agriculture Affairs
DCG Directorate of Coast Guards
DOC Directorate of Curriculum
DOF Directorate of Fisheries
DOT Directorate of Tourism
EBM Ecosystem Based Management
EDB Economic Development Board
EFS Environment Friends Society
ES Ecosystem Services
EWA Electricity and Water Authority
FWS Fresh Water Springs
GARMCO Gulf Aluminium Rolling Mill Company
GEF Global Environment Facility
GIIC Gulf Industrial Investment Company
GPIC Gulf Petrochemical Industries Company
HNWI High-Net Worth Individuals
IBA Important Bird Area
IEGA Informatics and E-Government Authority
IMP Integrated Management Plan
MEAs Multilateral Environmental Agreements
MIA Ministry Information Affairs
MOE Ministry of Education
MOF Ministry of Finance
MP Monitoring Program

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 MPA Marine Protected Area
MRA Marine Resource Affairs
MTT Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications
MWMU Ministry of Works, Municipalities and Urban Planning
MYS Ministry of Youth and Sports Affairs

NBSAP National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan

NIAD The National Initiative for Agricultural Development
NIHR National Institution for Human Rights
NOGA National Oil and Gas Authority
NBSC National Biodiversity Steering Committee
PAs Protected Areas
PPPs Public Private Partnerships
PMA Port and Maritime Affairs
ROWA Regional Office of West Asia
RUW Royal University for Women
SCE Supreme Council for Environment
SCW Supreme Council for Women
SEPPD Sanitary Engineering Planning and Projects Directorate
SEOMD Sanitary Engineering Operations and Maintenance Directorate
SG Strategic Goal
SLRB Survey and Land Registration Bureau
SMART Specific, Measurable, Applicable, Realistic, Timeframe
UNCCD United Nations Convention for Combating Desertification
UNEP United Nations Environment Programme
UNFCCC United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
UOB University of Bahrain
WHS World Heritage Site

KoB NBSAP - Version: Final

6
Table of Contents

Section 1: NBSAP’s context and methodology of work…………………. 12

1.1. Context………………………………………………………………….. 12
1.2. Methodology of work…………………………………………………… 12

Section 2: The Kingdom’s biodiversity profile…………………………… 17

2.1.Geography and landforms………………………………………………… 17
2.2. Diversity in plant and animal species …………………………………… 17
2.3. Ecosystems and habitats of the Kingdom of Bahrain …………………… 18
2.3.1. Marine and coastal ecosystems………………………………………. 18
2.3.2. Agriculture ecosystems………………………….……………………… 21
2.3.3. Desert and Freshwater Springs….……………………………………… 22
2.4. Ecosystem services ….………………………….……………………… 23
2.5. Conservation value and practices….………………………….………… 25
2.6. Governance of biodiversity………………….…………………………… 27
2.7. NBSAP’s lessons learned….…………………………………………… 37
2.8. Sustainable management stories….……………………………………… 39

Section 3: Threats to biodiversity and national priorities 40

3.1. Main drivers of biodiversity loss ………………………………………… 40
3.2. National priorities………………………………………………………… 43

Section 4: Guiding principles, strategic goals and targets…………… 45

4.1. Long-term vision and mission…………………………………………… 45
4.2. Guiding principles………………………………………………………… 45
4.3.Strategic goals and objectives …………………………………………… 49
4.4.National targets …………………………………………………………… 50

Section 5: National Action Plan…………………………………………… 54

5.1. Priority actions and timeframes ………………………………………… 54
5.2. Actions, outputs and cost of the national targets………………………… 55
5.3. Actions towards improving protection of species ……………………… 66
5.4. Restoring and increasing resilience of critical ecosystem……………… 66

Section 6: Implementation plan…………………………………………… 68

6.1. Mainstreaming of biodiversity conservation…………………………… 68
6.2. Synergies between international agreements …………………………… 73
6.3. Resource mobilization …………………………………………………… 77
6.4. Communication, education and public awareness plan………………… 78
6.5. Plan for capacity development ………………………………………… 79

Section 7: Institutional structure for NBSAP’s implementation………… 80

7.1. National coordination structures………………………………………… 80
7.2. National Biodiversity Steering Committee……………………………… 81
7.3. Technical Teams………………………………………………………… 82
7.4. Sub-national committees………………………………………………… 83

Section 8: Monitoring and Reporting……………………………………… 86

8.1. National Coordination Structures: Monitoring, Evaluation and 86
Reporting.
8.2. Clearing-House Mechanism. …………………………………………… 86

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List of tables

Table 1. Terrestrial and marine species diversity in the Kingdom of Bahrain 18

Table 2. Existing protected areas in Bahrain (SCE, 2015)………………………… 25
Table 3. Key national stakeholders in biodiversity conservation, their 33
influence and capacities………………………………………………….………………….
Table 4. Regulatory measures governing biodiversity in the KoB………………. 35
Table 5. Conservation status of the biodiversity in Bahrain…………………….. 44
Table 6. National priorities actions defined for the biodiversity conservation
44
in the various ecosystems……………………………………………………………..
Table 7. Milestones and timeframe of the NBSAP (2016-2021) ………………… 54
Table 8. Mainstreaming potential of NBSAP targets with national policies……. 70
Table 9. Policy instruments and cross-sectoral cooperation under the ratified
75
environmental agreements in the KoB…………………………………….
Table 10. Table 10. Synergies between biodiversity related conventions goals
76
and NBSAP targets.……………………………………………………………………
Table 11. Categories actions and the corresponding funding sources…………… 77

List of figures

Fig. 1. The methodology of work adopted for NBSAP development. …………………. 14

Fig. 2. The distribution of marine and costal ecosystems in the KOB…………………... 21
Fig. 3. Distribution of the agricultural and desert ecosystems in the KOB……………… 22
Fig. 4. Distribution of aquifers in the Kingdom of Bahrain (Alshabaani, 2010). …… 23
Fig. 5.The services provided by all ecosystem types found in the KOB……….……….. 24
Fig. 6. Distribution of Protected areas in Bahrain………………………………………. 25
Fig. 7. The evolution of governance of wildlife conservation in the KoB (1980-
30
2012)…
Fig. 8. Existing public and private agencies, their roles in biodiversity conservation 32
Fig. 9. Potential funding sources for building up a National Environmental Trust
78
Fund for NBSAP implementation……………………………………………………………..
Fig. 10. Leading agencies and partners’ coordination structure for the NBSAP
81
implementation…………………………………………………………………………..
Fig. 11. Structure and membership of the NBSC and technical teams responsible
84
for all aspects of NBSAP’s implementation…………………………………………………….
Fig. 12. National and sub-national coordination structure for NBSAP’s
85
implementation
Fig. 13. Bahrain CHM information system………………………… …………………... 86

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 Executive Summary

The Kingdom of Bahrain is an archipelago consisting of more than 84 natural and

man-made islands. The country is located in the middle of southern coast of
Arabian Gulf, lying between eastern shore of Saudi Arabia and western coast of
Qatar. Bahrain’s land mass covers a total area of 769.6 km2 with a total marine
area of 7497.1 km2 falling under its jurisdiction. The climate is arid with low
rainfall during winter and high temperature and humidity levels during summer.
Bahrain hosts a total number of 1360 species ranging from microbes to large
mammals. It is believed that the number is underestimated since many taxa are
yet to be identified. Genetic diversity is valuable in the native Arabian horse
breeds and palm tree species having gained high historical and cultural value.
The kingdom hosts four types of ecosystems. These are marine and costal
ecosystems (i.e. coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass beds, mudflats), desert
ecosystem and agricultural ecosystem (i.e. palm groves, fresh water springs,
local varieties crops). A wide range of ecosystem services is provided including
provisioning services (e.g. pearl, fish, molasses), regulating services (e.g. coastal
protection), supporting services (e.g. fish nurseries, carbon fixation) and cultural
services (e.g. recreation). Attempts to estimate the economic values of
ecosystems services were mostly limited to the marine habitats (i.e. coral reefs,
seagrass beds, mangroves, shelf soft habitats) whereby services were estimated
at BHD708.76 million per year (US$1.88 billion) in 2006 (Al Khuzai et al., 2006)
and the economic revenue from fisheries accounted for BHD13.161 million in
2012 (DOF, 2013). On the other hand, the cost of environmental degradation is
estimated at BHD385 million (4.0% of GDP-2010). This value reveals the
economic loss stemming from impacts of anthropogenic activities (e.g. dredging
and land reclamation) on biodiversity and environmental resources in the
Kingdom of Bahrain.
The Kingdom of Bahrain ratified the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
in 1996. In 2007, Bahrain developed the first National Biodiversity Strategy and
Action Plan (NBSAP) in collaboration with the United Nations Development
Program (UNDP). The NBSAP recognized as the principal element for CBD
implementation, aimed at ‘reversing the loss of biodiversity within Bahraini

9
terrestrial, marine and freshwater ecosystems’. Since then, various activities
took place among which the empowerment of environmental governance
whereby the reform of the Public Commission for the Protection of Marine
Resources, Environment and Wildlife resulted in a Supreme Council for
Environment (SCE) with a Directorate of Biodiversity hosting four units on
species protection and protected areas management. On the other hand, national
and local initiatives involving restoration, reforestation and awareness programs
on biodiversity have recorded an increase in number and improvement in their
implementation throughout the years.
In 2010, parties to the CBD were requested to review and update their NBSAP
following the Strategic Plan of Biodiversity (SPB) 2011-2020 adopted at the 10th
Conference of the Parties (COP) held in Nagoya Japan. The strategic plan calls
parties to "take effective and urgent action to halt the loss of biodiversity to
ensure that ‘by 2020 ecosystems are resilient and continue to provide essential
services, thereby securing the planet's variety of life, and contributing to human
well-being, and poverty eradication’. Being keen to fulfill the Strategic Plan
requirements and to align the national targets with the Aichi Biodiversity
Targets, the Kingdom launched a series of activities to update its NBSAP and
develop its Fifth National Report to the CBD in 2012. These activities were
implemented in the context of a project funded by the Global Environment
Facility (GEF). The project was co-financed from the SCE and it was executed
with the support of the United Nations Environment Programme’s -Regional
Office West Asia (UNEP-ROWA). The project was lead by the SCE and it built on
establishing close partnerships between public and private sectors as well as
civil societies. The process focused on all emerging opportunities to engage
stakeholders and mobilize major players to partake in the NBSAP’s updating
process. The methodology of work was implemented in five stages: [1]
Stocktaking and assessment, [2] Stakeholders engagement, [3] NBSAP basic
policy instruments development, [4] National targets setting and indicators
selection, [5] Actions and implementation planning.
The NBSAP targets and actions capitalized mainly on national priorities
identified during the first phase of the project and on the participation of all
national stakeholders. National priorities included the need for setting the scene

10
for science-policy interface which calls for national assessments of all type of
species and ecosystems services and improvement of institutional arrangements
for cross-sectoral cooperation; strengthening biodiversity conservation
governance through the development of mechanism and design of tools for
effective laws implementation; increasing awareness on the value of biodiversity
on the basis of communication strategy and awareness programmes, and
mobilizing financial resources for NBSAP implementation. The updated NBSAP
presents the Kingdom’s mission and vision, strategic goals and guiding
principles which aim at improving governance and cross-sectoral cooperation,
strengthening national capacities to better communicate biodiversity’s values,
involving communities in the conservation of biodiversity while empowering
women and improving the well-being of the Bahraini’s citizens. It includes 12
national targets and a series of actions which fulfill its long term vision where
the Kingdom is willing to ‘Strive towards improving resilience of all four
ecosystems in the Kingdom and managing sustainably ecosystems services to
ensure good quality of life for the Bahraini citizens by 2030.’ The NBSAP draws a
road map for the implementation of all actions with milestones and timeframe,
priority actions and their timelines, indicators to monitor the advances towards
the implementation of Aichi targets, potential for mainstreaming biodiversity
conservation into national policy instruments, financial resources need and
proposition for resources mobilization in the context of the Kingdom of Bahrain.

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 Section 1: NBSAP’s Context and methodology of work

1. 1. Context

In early nineties, international community recognized the need for a global

framework to conserve biological diversity. Accordingly, more than 190
countries were convened to sign the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
during the Earth Summit held in Rio De Janeiro. As of March 2013, 196 countries
joined the CBD and 177 Parties have developed their NBSAPs. In 2010, Parties to
the Convention on Biological Diversity adopted the Strategic Plan for
Biodiversity 2011-2020 (SCBD, 2010; CBD-COP 10, Decision X/2) in Nagoya
whose aim is to halt the loss of biodiversity and maintaining ecosystem services
to deliver essential benefits for people. The Strategic Plan presents twenty
targets, the Aichi Biodiversity Targets which cover a broad range of biodiversity-
related issues classified under five goals: [1] addressing the underlying causes of
biodiversity loss by mainstreaming biodiversity across governments and society;
[2] reducing the direct pressures on biodiversity and promoting sustainable use;
[3] improving the status of biodiversity by safeguarding ecosystems, species and
genetic diversity; [4] enhancing the benefits to all from biodiversity and
ecosystem services; and [5] enhancing implementation. Parties are urged to
translate the framework of the Strategic Plan into their own national planning
activities by revising their NBSAPs and setting their national targets and defining
appropriate indicators to monitor the progress towards the strategic goal. On the
other hand, parties have to mobilize adequate financial resources, strengthen
national capacities and ensure a scientific sound-base decision-making process.
Decision X/2 focuses on the adoption of participatory approaches, integration of
national targets into the revised and updated NBSAPs and adopting it as a policy
instrument, monitoring and reviewing of NBSAP implementation making use of
the set of indicators, and mainstreaming of biodiversity conservation into
national policies and strategies (SCBD, 2010).

1.2. Methodology of work

The methodology of work included all the activities needed to build up the
NBSAP of the KoB (Fig. 1). All national policies and their instruments were

12
reviewed before launching participatory approach and stakeholders
engagement. These approaches involved around fifty representatives from
thirty-five institutions including public and private sectors as well as civil
society.

Phase 1. Launching of the project

The project was officially launched during the first national workshop in
November 2012. The workshop participants’ list built on the one stemming from
a previous event organized in 2011. This side event aiming at developing the
2011 list of indicators and discussing their availability in the Kingdom, defined in
fact the trends foreseen to ensure the progress towards the implementation of
the Aichi Targets. It initiated the development of the first list of stakeholders
whom will be involved in the NBSAP updating process. It included
representatives from government agencies, universities, private sectors, NGOs
and other regional and international organizations.

Phase 2. Stocktaking and assessment

In preparation for the development of national baseline assessments, national

documents (i.e. surveys and inventories, scientific studies, plans and strategies)
and grey literature were reviewed. Accordingly, seven national reports were
produced. Those are [1] 5th National Report to the CBD, [2] Biodiversity Baseline
Assessment, [3] Biodiversity Stakeholders and Decision-making Analysis, [4]
National Targets and Indicators, [5] Biodiversity Mainstreaming Report, [6]
Assessment and Mapping of the Potential Values of Ecosystem Services, and [7]
Protected Areas Strategy. The development of the 5th national report helped in
assessing the progress in biodiversity conservation activities at national level.

Phase 3. Engaging stakeholders

Stakeholder’s engagement was integrated in the all the activities undertaken

since the start of the project. The Delphi techniques and questionnaires
addressed to all sectors resulted in the biodiversity baseline assessment and
stakeholders mapping. The second national workshop (February 24-26, 2015)
ensured a platform to identify national priorities, to validate the stakeholders’
power/interest maps to draw the dynamics of decision-making processes.

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 National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan

Stock-taking Analysis
Review
Identify
National Reports | Journal Articles | Stakeholders Participation
Grey Literature | Working documents
priorities

List of indicators Data

Baseline Biodiversity Delphi technique Face-to-face
Ecosystem services hodlers
Assessment Questionnaires interviews
Leading agency

Vision
Protected Areas Stakeholders mapping Four national
Mission
Strategy Decision-making processes workshops
Startegic Goals

Mainstreaming
Institutional Defining National
arrangements
biodiversity-related
Targets & Indicators Action plan
conventions & NAPs

Figure 1. The methodology of work adopted in the NBSAP updating process.

14
 The face-to-face meetings were held in March and April 2015. The focus group
meetings took place in June 2015. Those meetings targeted all government
agencies, industries, universities, development agencies and non-governmental
organizations. They were the first steps taken towards stakeholders’
engagement in the setting of national targets, definition of their roles and the
identification of potential for resource mobilization. The industries were
addressed to identify any opportunity for partnerships and the potential for
harmonizing their Corporate Social Responsibility programs with the national
priorities of biodiversity conservation; especially programs related to awareness
programs and communication strategies.

The third workshop (August 2-4, 2015) aimed at validating the national SMART
targets. It opened the ground for discussing necessary actions towards meeting
the Aichi Targets and potential sources of funding. It explored new opportunities
for partnerships. The fourth workshop (December 27, 2015) was the closing
event to fine-tune all updated NBSAP components.

Phase 4. Developing NBSAP basic policy instruments

The seven national reports mentioned above provided guidance for the
identification of national priorities as well as developing the mission and vision.
The guiding principles were selected based on the country preference while
being aligned with the needs of the SBP goals. The priorities have set the scene
for defining the strategic goals, national objectives and targets as well as actions
needed.

Phase 5. Setting up national targets

The national targets (SMART) for each type of ecosystem were set during the
second national workshop in accordance with the SBP2011-2020 and the Aichi
Biodiversity Targets. The identification of the indicators took into account
national capacities and the availability of data in the various institutions. Further
to the identification of data holders, those were selected to be leaders in data
gathering, curation, maintenance, management and monitoring. A second round
of stakeholders’ involvement for finalizing the national targets was organized
during the third national workshop.

15
Phase 6. Defining actions and implementation plan
An action plan was developed based on the revised activities listed under each of
the national target and their corresponding indicators. The indicators will be
measured to monitor the progress towards effective CBD implementation as well
as for reporting. Biodiversity mainstreaming process was proposed to ensure
effective management and cross-sectoral cooperation.

16
 Section 2: The Kingdom’s biodiversity profile

2.1. Geography and landforms

The Kingdom of Bahrain is an archipelago consisting of more than 84 natural and
man-made islands. The country is originally made up of 33 natural islands with 36
small ones annexed to Hawar Islands. The Kingdom is located in the middle of the
southern coast of the Arabian Gulf. It lies between the eastern shore of Saudi Arabia
and the western coast of Qatar. Bahrain’s land mass covers a total area of 769.6 km2
with a total marine area of 7497.1 km2 falling under the jurisdiction of the Kingdom
(SCE, 2015). Its climate is arid and humid and is characterized by high temperature
and low rainfall. The average summer and winter temperatures recorded during the
period of 2009-2013 are 35.14⁰C and 18.82⁰C respectively. The annual rainfall noted
during this period ranged between 20.2 to 98.9 mm (CITO, 2013).
Bahrain may be divided into five physiographic zones (Doornkamp et al., 1980).
The Central Plateau and Jabals, which is basically, an anticlinal dome occurring in the
center of the island and consisting mostly of sedimentary limestone rocks. The
general surface level is 40-66m, with numbers of steep-sided and flat-topped
residual hills (or jabals), rising to a maximum elevation of 122.4 m above sea level at
Jabal Al Dukhan. The Interior Basin, created over millions of years through erosion,
surrounds the central plateau. The Multiple Escarpments surrounding and
overlooking the Interior Basin is a continuous belt of multiple, inward-facing
escarpments with a maximum height of 20 m above sea level. The Main Backslope
decline away from the crest of the escarpment is an extensive, gently inclined
surface. At the base of the backslope, solid geology gives way to a surrounding fringe
of young, unconsolidated, superficial deposits laid down by a combination of marine
and Aeolian processes. This zone represents about 50% of the total area of the main
island. The products of erosion of the backslope are washed and deposited in many
areas in the coastal lowlands forming sand sheets (SCE, 2015; Alkhuzai, 2015a;
Zainal and Loughland, 2009).

2.2. Diversity in plant and animal species

Bahrain hosts various species of desert plants, palm trees and algae. The original
total number of species recorded amounted for 1360. This number has increased

17
with time to reach 1455 species in Bahrain ranging from microbes to large mammals
(table 1) (Alkhuzai, 2015a; SCE, 2015). Still, it is believed that this number is
underestimated since many taxa are yet to be identified.

Table 1. Terrestrial and marine species diversity in the KoB (Alkhuzai, 2015).

Group Nb. of Species Group Nb. of Species

Plants 327 Arachnids 6
Algae 88 Insects 32
Fungi 12 Crustaceans 83
Mammals 22 Echinoderms 13
Birds 329 Mollusks 190
Reptiles 20 Corals 24
Amphibians 1 Jelly Fish 1
Fishes 238 Sea worms 69
Total 1455

Genetic diversity of Arabian horse breeds and palm tree varieties is of high
importance in the Kingdom. Apart from the genetic diversity, both are of great
historical and cultural value to the Bahrainis. Over the years, local varieties of
agricultural crops and fruit trees have acquired adaptation capacity and gained
specific traits, though become of high value to farmers’ and conservation
communities.

2.3. Ecosystems and habitats of the Kingdom of Bahrain

2.3.1. Marine and coastal ecosystems
Coastal and marine ecosystems extend on a large geographical area with a length of
126km of coastline. These ecosystems are home to an important number of species
of birds, algae, fishes, corals and other animal and plant species. The coastal zones
are home to a variety of species of invertebrates found in sub-tidal zones. There are
more than 238 species of marine fishes (table 1). Marine and coastal ecosystems are
important sites for migratory species (e.g. birds, whales and turtles). The Kingdom
hosts the largest breeding population of Socotra cormorant (Phalacrocorax
nigrogularis) (250,000) in the world in Suwad Island and the largest western reef
heron (Egretta gularis) colony in the Middle East (KoB 2006). Hawar Island is the
major breeding site in the Gulf for the White-Cheeked Tern (Sterna repressa) (3,408
breeding pairs), Bridled Tern (Sterna anaethus) (1,850 breeding pairs) (Alkhuzai
and Zainal, 2009). Marine and coastal ecosystem harbors diverse habitats ranging

18
from sand dunes to seagrass beds, coral reefs, mangroves and salt marshes and
Sabkhas (fig. 2)1.
Sand dunes
Sand dunes occur mainly on the western coastal lowland of the island. Many of these
are phytogenic mounds that formed due to accumulation of sand by plants
(Loughland and Zainal, 2009).

Seagrass beds
Most of seagrass habitats in territorial water in the Kingdom are located in the
eastern subtidal waters, mainly south of Fasht Al-Adham extending to Hawar Islands
and in the western subtidal areas (Alkhuzai et al., 2009). Seagrass beds constitute a
habitat and rich feeding ground for a number of commercial fishes, mollusks,
crustaceans, endangered dugongs (Dugon dugon)and green turtles. They provide
nurseries for commercial shrimps and green turtles offspring. The dugong
population in the KoB is acknowledged as the world second largest (currently about
3000 individuals) after Australia’s Great Barrier Reef population (SCE, 2015). Both
dugong and sea turtles recognized as keystone species, (i.e. green turtle, hawksbill
sea turtles) rely both on intact and productive seagrass for feeding. Seagrass beds
are habitats for pearl oysters. They play an important role in the stabilization of
sediment. Seagrass beds species in Bahrain host three of eleven species of
seagreasses found in the Arab region. Those are Halodule uninervis (Fors.) Asch.,
Halophila stipulacea (Fors.) Asch. and Halophila ovalis (R. Brown) Hooker (Alkhuzai
et al., 2006; Sheppard et al., 1992).

Coral reefs
Coral reefs locally known as ‘Fasht’, occupy a total area which is larger than Bahrain
itself. They expand over large area in Fasht Al-Adhm and Khawr Fasht, Fasht Al-
Jarim, and Bulthama. Corals cover less than 5% of the reef areas in Fasht Al Adham,
Fasht Al Jarim and Khor Fasht. Smaller reef habitats are dispersed in eastern
Bahrain. Those latter are in poor condition and are subject to degradation. Coral
reefs maintain a large diversity of fish and shellfish species while they constitute the
nurseries for commercial fish species (SEC, 2015; Alkhuzai et al., 2009).

1 Supplementary documents: SCE 2015 and Alkhuzai 2015a.

19
Algal beds
Algal beds are located in between the seagrasses and coral reefs. The most
commonly occurring macro-algae species belong to the brown algae. There are
green algae, red algae, Brown algae, and Coralline algae. The most dominant is the
Sargassum sp. and the Hormophysa sp. (SCE, 2015).
Mangroves
Mangroves, populated by Avicennia marina, cover a total area of 80ha with 50ha in
Ras Sanad and the rest in Tubli Bay, Sitra and Al-Aker. A large area of 300 ha was
destroyed in mid seventies because of land reclamation (Loughland and Zainal,
2009). They host a wide range of animals including bacteria, invertebrates, fish,
birds and mammals. They play a major role in the stabilization of coastlines by
promoting sedimentation (Alkhuzai et al., 2009).

Salt marshes
Salt marshes are small and dispersed. They are colonized by Phragmites australis,
Arthrocnemum macrostachyum, and Sueda spp. They are home to the reef heron and
some terrestrial birds (SCE, 2015).

20
 Figure 2. Distribution of marine and costal habitats in the KoB (Loughland, 2006).
Coastal Sabkhas
Coastal Sabkhas are characterized by high salinity with salt crusts. Many Sabkhas
occur in the southern areas (near Ras Al Bar) and in Hawar Islands (Al Zayani and
Loughland, 2006).

Intertidal mudflats
Mudflats in the intertidal areas of Bahrain are limited and exist only on the eastern
coast of the main islands and some internal areas of Muharraq. They constitute
habitats with higher biomass than other intertidal areas. They are of great value for
migratory bird species (Al Zayani and Loughland, 2009).

21
Rocky shores
Natural rocky shores are rare in the Kingdom of Bahrain. They are found in Sitra,
Nabih Salih Islands and to a limited extend on the Hawar Islands. They are valuable
for their diverse range of intertidal inhabitants. They are home to macroalgae and
invertebrate animals. Artificial rocks installed to reduce the high current flow to the
Sitra Bridge are nowadays sort of very
diverse habitats (Al Zayani and
Loughland, 2009).

2.3.2. Agriculture ecosystem

Agricultural lands cover 6,700ha of
which 58% are cultivated, constituting
1.4% from the Kingdom total surface
area. The total green cover extends
over 8.6% of the country surface area
(CITO, n.d.) (fig. 3). Due to the harsh
environmental conditions, agricultural
production covers only a small
fraction of the country’s needs in food.
Figure 3. Distribution of the agricultural and
The main crop is the date palm desert ecosystems in the KoB (CITO, 2011).
(12,887MT). Agricultural production
includes 75 species among which locally known trees (i.e. Bahraini Almond, papaya,
lemons, limes, bananas and nuts), vegetables such as tomatoes, okra, lettuce, chicory,
cucumbers, gherkins, onions, eggplants, cauliflowers, broccoli, and indigenous meat
of sheep, cattle, goat and camel (CITO, n.d).
2.3.3. Desert ecosystem
They are home to many species of insects, reptiles, birds and wild mammals. Inland
arid regions and plateau support regional biodiversity and a wide range of migratory
birds. They contain freshwater springs and streams that support further
biodiversity. Deserts show three landforms including the Jabals, depressions and
sand dunes. Jabals (small rocky hills), reach 130m in altitude. The most well-known
mountain is Jabal Al Dukhan located at 134m altitudes. Salt-tolerant plants
dominate the sand dunes (e.g. filamentous fungi). Such xeric environments are

22
highly sensitive to climate change and the organisms are living under extreme
environmental conditions (Alkhuzai, 2015a).

Freshwater Springs and Streams

In some inland areas, depressions in the
karst contain both fresh and brackish
waters. Freshwater springs and streams
used to be abundant in the Kingdom.
These were known to exist on both land
and sea and were nourished by the
aquifers that fed the freshwater springs.
There are several aquifers supplying
freshwater. These are Damaam Aquifer
recharged by the Eastern Arabian Aquifer
system, and the Rus-Umm Er Radhuma
Aquifer, Alat, Khobar, and Aruma
subaquifers (Alshabaani, 2010) (fig. 4). In Figure 4 . Distribution of aquifers in the
northern Bahrain, natural springs create Kingdom of Bahrain (Alshabaani 2010).

oases and the artesian wells are used for agriculture. Date palm also can be found on
the island of Nabih Salih, however these as other date palm habitats are increasingly
threatened by the extraction of water. The overexploitation of those aquifers either
for agriculture or for human use resulted in their salinization and depletion (KoB,
2006; Alshabaani, 2010).

2.4. Ecosystem services

The Kingdom’s biodiversity provides a variety of ecosystem services including direct
and indirect goods (fig. 5). Marine and costal habitats present a wide range of
provisioning, supporting, regulating and cultural services. They provide valuable
goods and services, from biomass, fisheries and pearls to heavy metal traps, coastal
protection and recreation. The total economic value of three most important
subtidal habitats was estimated at US$1.88 Billion/year. All three habitats of coral
reefs, mangroves and seagrasses beds provide wide range of ecosystem services
including carbon sequestration, shoreline stabilization, fish and shrimp breeding and
spawning areas and nutrient cycling among others (Alkhuzai et al., 2009). The

23
economic revenues from fisheries were estimated at BHD13.161 Million in 2012
(DOF, 2013). The agricultural ecosystems constitute important transition zone
supporting biodiversity, local crops varieties and biological control. The revenue
from oil and gas is estimated at BHD2.662 million in 2014 (MOF, 2014). Desert
ecosystem is a source of energy and has a great potential for scientific research
similarly to the marine and coastal ecosystems.

Cultural
Supporitng
Regulating
Provisioning

•Fish •Coastal •Primary •Education

stabilization production
•Shellfish •Scientific
•Coastal •Fish nurseries
•Pearl research
protection •Carbon fixation
•Bait for fishing •Aesthetic
•Heavy metals •Nutrient cycling
•Date traps •Domestic
•Transition zones
•Molasses •Sediments tourism
•Traditional fixation •International
crafts •Water tourism
•Shelter, home purification
equipment •Amenity
•Carbon
(Fronds) sequestration
•Recreation
•Food •Biological
supplement control
•Medicine

Figure 5. The ecosystems services found in the KoB (AlMealla 2014, Loughland 2006).

The estimation of cultural services is limited to the tourism sector including travel
whereby the monetary value accounts for BHD540 million in 2014 with an expected
growth of 5% per year (BHD882.7 million by 2024) (WTTC, 2014). It is worth noting
that this value does not necessarily reflect services provided solely by the
ecosystems in the Kingdom, instead it primarily reflects the economic activity
generated by the international tourism industries (i.e. hotels, travel agents, airlines
and other passenger transportation services) and it includes the activities of the
restaurant and leisure industries. The latter activities could reflect partially values of
domestic tourism. Therefore, there is a need to initiate detailed mapping and
valuation exercises of the services provided by of all four types of ecosystem found
in Bahrain.

24
2.5. Conservation value and practices
The total number of threatened species in Bahrain is thirty three among which three
mammals, three birds, four reptiles, nine fishes, one species of mollusks species, and
thirteen other invertebrate species (IUCN, 2013). The species with high conservation
values in the Kingdom include the leatherback turtle, hawksbill turtle, green sea
turtle, Socotra cormorant,
dugong, whale shark and the
Indo-Pacific finless porpoise.
Internationally, Bahrain’s
territorial waters are home to
the second largest population of
dugongs after Australia. The
Kingdom is acknowledged as a
regional hotspot for seasonal
migratory birds (King, 2006).
Hawar islands host the largest
breeding population of Socotra
cormorant in the world. The
islands are home to the largest
breeding population of the
western reef heron (Egretta
gularis) in the Middle East (SCE,
Figure 6. Distribution of PAs in the KoB (Abdulla, 2015).
2015).
On the other hand, the Kingdom hosts six protected areas (table 2, fig. 6), in addition
to various sites of regional and international importance (i.e. Ramsar site, World
Heritage Site). It is worth mentioning that 81 ‘hadrah’ have been registered in
northern coastal areas with different of impact (i.e. neutral, minor, moderate, major)
and various protection levels (HIA maritime).

25
 Table 2. Existing protected areas in Bahrain.

Protected Year of Ecosystem Surface Conservation value Threats

Areas Declaration type area
(ha)
Al Areen 1976/1979 Desert 540 In situ conservation of Reem gazelle and Development projects and
Wildlife Park endangered Arabian species tourism (Resorts)
and Reserve Ex situ conservation of endangered
Arabian wildlife (rare birds, deer, Oryx,
freshwater turtles) and wild plants
Hawar islands2 1996 Island, 5,200 Archipelago of 36 pristine small islands Anthropological factors
19972 Islets surrounded by seagrasses Lack of regulatory measures for
Host the largest breeding colony of recreational activities
Socotra cormorants, largest herd of management
dugongs (following Australia),
populations of greater flamingo, black-
head gull and marine turtles.
Cultural and Historical values
Tubli Bay2 2006 Mangroves 1,610 Intertidal mud and sand flats and nursery Effluents from sewage
19972 for commercially important prawns and treatment plants and land
fishes Wintering area for 45 spp. of water reclamation
birds
Hosts remaining mangroves
Arad Bay 2000 Wetland Home for wintering birds (e.g. Winged Waste water effluents
stilt, Whimbrel, redshank)
Mashtan Island 2002 Island 250 Seagrass beds feeding ground for dugong Pollution from maritime
and sea turtles transport, residential and
Shelter for shrimp and finfish development projects
Reef Bul 2007 Marine, 5,660 Highest percentage of living hard corals Overfishing and bycatch,
(Turbinaria peltata), natural oyster beds pollution, trawling, fishing

2 Ramsar site

26
 Thamah3 Coral reefs with highest incidence of pearl. equipment, recreational
activities

3 Part of a UNESCO WHS

27
2.6. Governance of biodiversity

The Kingdom ratified the CBD in 1996. In 2007, Bahrain developed the first NBSAP in
collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Since then
institutional reform (fig. 7) among many other institutional arrangements and activities
took place, empowering to a certain extent biodiversity governance and fostering
conservation practices. Meanwhile, it is worth noting that the institutional structure
started to evolve before the issuance of the Kingdom’s constitutional law in 2002.

Constitutional law and biodiversity conservation

Wildlife conservation and nature protection is at the heart of the KoB’s constitution in
articles 9h, 11 and 117a. In its constitutional law, the Islamic Shari’a is considered as the
guiding principle for the development of any law and/or regulatory measure in the
Kingdom (Art. 2). As a basis and in general, national policies in the Kingdom give equal
rights and opportunities to all Bahraini citizens and they aim at ensuring social welfare
(Art. 23). Government supports scientific research (Art. 7) while being strongly
committed to agricultural development through the strengthening of small-holders and
improvement of agricultural production (9g) and to take necessary actions for the
protection of the environment (9h). In its article 11, the government appropriates the
ownership of all natural resources and commits again to its conservation and use while
ensuring national security and economic development. International conventions further
to their ratification and signature can be used as interim measures until national laws
are developed, approved and issued. Nevertheless, if these conventions are not in line
with any of the Bahraini’s laws, their implementation requires the issuance and approval
of new laws (Art. 37) (Constitutional Law, 2002).

Institutional structures for biodiversity conservation

Over time, institutional reform for improving biodiversity conservation governance took
place whereby in a 22 years time, the structure evolved from a Committee under the
Ministry of Health (1980) to an independent entity named the Supreme Council for
Environment (SCE) in 2012 (Fig. 7). Within the SCE’s structure, the Directorate of
Biodiversity is responsible for all issues related to biodiversity conservation in the
Kingdom, which will be hosting the Species Protection and Protected Areas Departments.
The Species Protection Department shall host two units; the Species Protection and

28
Biological Trade. The Protected Areas Department shall manage the Protected Areas
Monitoring and Protected Areas Planning units.

29
Supreme

2012
Council for
Environemnt
Public

2002
Commission for
Independent the Protection
entity of Marine Environmental

2000
Resources, Affairs
Departments:
Environment Under the Environmental
1.Species

1996
and Wildlife Ministry of Affairs
Protection Units State for
* Species Municipalities National

1995
Protection Affairs and Under the Committee for
Environmental Ministry of wildlife
* Biological Environemtnal

1980
Affairs Housing, protection
Trade Protection
Municipalities
and Committee
National Environment Under Ministry
2.Protected Commission for
Areas Units of Health
Wildlife
* PAs Protection
Monitoring
* PAs Planning

Figure 7. The evolution of wildlife conservation governance in the KoB (1980-2012).

30
The general terms of the SCE include setting up the environment and sustainable
development strategy. It is the leading agency in its implementation and mainstreaming,
this in partnership with relevant ministries as well as national stakeholders.

On the other hand, the institutional mandates of government authorities reflect their
direct and indirect roles in biodiversity conservation. As shown in figure 8, these public
agencies respond to the various line of activities needed for good practices in
biodiversity conservation from national biodiversity baseline assessments, to policy
instruments design, law development and implementation to communicating
biodiversity values. The involvement of all sectors in biodiversity conservation lines of
actions has evolved over the years. Institutional reform has strengthened the existing
institutional and administrative structures and brought on board additional partners.

The analysis of biodiversity governance shows the direct and indirect involvement of all
sectors in biodiversity conservation in the Kingdom with various weights and interests
(table 3). It defines the 4 types of players based on the degree of capacity to conserve
biodiversity and the degree of influence of the key stakeholders on biodiversity
conservation. The four types of players are:
 Critical Players are those who are the lead agencies managing closely biodiversity
conservation and involved primarily in strategic development.
 Primary players are those who are the main actors in the mainstreaming process,
building capacity and raising awareness as well as planning and controlling on site.
 Secondary players are those who are good partners to collaborate for lobbying, political
clout and exchanges. They provide support at financial, technical, managerial levels.
 Tertiary players are those who must be kept informed of activities and emerging issues
because they can provide support in the control on ground and in law implementations.
The analysis draws a clear picture about the needed cross-sectoral cooperation for
better implementation of biodiversity conservation. This is reflected in the national and
sub-national structure for biodiversity conservation presented in Section 7. Meanwhile,
the stakeholders and decision-making’s Report4 also gives a clear picture on the role and
involvement of each of the private and public agencies involved in biodiversity
conservation.

4 Supplementary document: Alkhuzai, 2015b.

31
 National Comptent Authorities
•Supreme Council for Environment (SCE)
•Directorate Agriculture Affairs (DAA)
•Marine Resources Affairs (MRA)
•Directorate of Water Resources
•National Oil and Gas Authority (NOGA)

Policy instruments: Laws and endorsement

•Parliement
•Economic Development Board (EDB)
•National Institution for Human Rights (NIHR)

Planning and think-tanks

•Ministry of Work, Municipalities and Urban Planning (MWMUP)
•Minsitry of Industry, Trade and Tourism (Commission of Tourism and Expositions)
•Survey and Land Register Department (SLRD)
•Electicity and Water Authority
•National Oil and Gas Auhtority
•DERASAT
•Universities [University of Bahrain, Royal University for Women,Arab Gulf University]
•Industry [BAPCO,TATWEER,GPIC,ALBA, BANAGAS, ASRY, GIIC, BALAXECO, GARMCO,
BASREC, BAS, Dredging Co.]

Resource Mobilisation
•Ministry of Finance
•Bahrain Development Bank (BDB)
•Budget Department (BD)
•Economic Development Board
•TAMKEEN
•Industry (BAPCO,GPIC, TATWEER, etc.) [Part of the CSR programs of private sector]
•Arab Regional Centre for World Heritage (ARCWH)
•Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (BACA)
•Information Authority Affairs

Awareness raising and communcation

•Minsitry of Education (MEA)
•Information Affairs Authority (IAA)
•Supreme Council for Women (SCW)
•BACA and ARCWH
•Royal University for Women (RUW)
•Ministry of Youth and Sports Affairs (MYS)
•National Initiative for Agriculture Development (NIAD)
•NGOs (Bahrain Society for the Environment, Environment Friends Society, Arab Youth
Climate Movement,Malkyia Rangers, Bahrain Women Association)
•MEDIA

Monitoring of law implementation

•Ports and Maritime Affairs (PMA)
•Directorate of Coast Guards (DCG)
•Electricity and Water Authority (EWA)
•Sanitary Engineering Directorate (SED)
•Customs Affairs
•Governorate: Capital, Muharraq, Northern, Southern

Monitoring and Evaluation of NBSAP implementation

•The Informatics and egovernment Authority
•Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI)
•Meteorological Directorate

Figure 8. Roles of existing public and private agencies in biodiversity conservation.

32
 Table 3. Key national stakeholders and their influence and capacity.

DEGREE OF INFLUENCE BY THE STAKEHOLDER ON BIODIVERSITY

DEGREE OF
CAPACITY OF THE
1 2 3 4
STAKEHOLDER
IN BIODIVESITY Low Moderate High Very high
CONSERVATION

Stakeholder type: Tertiary players Stakeholder type: Primary

Approach: Keep informed of activities players
1 and issues, help in the control on Approach: mainstream, build
ground. capacity, awareness, planning,
Low
control on site.
1. Directorate of Coast Guards 1. SCE
2. Electricity and Water Authority 2. Directorate of Curriculum
3. Customs Affairs 3. Chamber of Commerce
4. Southern, Northern, Capital and Industry
and Muharraq governorates. 4. NOGA
5. TATWEER
6. Survey and Land
2 Registration Bureau
Moderate 7. Landowners
8. Investors5
9. Direct users6

Stakeholder type: Secondary players

3 Approach: Collaboration for better Stakeholder type: Critical Players
lobbying, political clout, exchanges, and Approach: Manage closely,
support (financial, technical, strategic development, lead
High managerial assistance). agency.
1. Arab Regional Centre for 1. Supreme Council for
World Heritage Environment
2. Bahrain Authority for Culture 2. Ministry of Works,

5 Alba, ASRY, GIIC, GARMCO, BANAGAS, BALAXECO, BASREC, BAS, Al Hassanain Dredging Co., Rock Excavation Companies.
6 Fisherman farmers.

33
 and Antiquities Municipalities and Urban
3. Supreme Council for Women Planning
4. Information Affairs Authority 3. Directorate of Agriculture
5. Budget Directorate Affairs
6. Economic Development Board 4. Directorate of Fisheries
7. Environment Arabia 5. Universities
8. GIIC, GPIC, BAPCO 6. Sanitary Engineering
4 9. Environmental NGO7 Planning and Projects
Very high 10. Donors8 Directorate
11. The Informatics and e-
government Authority 7. Sanitary Engineering
Operations and
Maintenance Directorate

7Arab Youth Climate Movement-Bahrain, Bahrain Environment Society, Bahrain Youth and Environment Society, Bahrain Women’s Association,
Environment Friends Society, Mother and Child Society, Malkiya Rovers, Scubamaster.
8 Bahrain Development Bank, Regional Development Banks.

34
Regulatory measures for biodiversity conservation

The first law related to the management of natural resources was issued in 1980
on the extraction of ground water in the KOB. Since then, a series of laws and
decisions have been issued for the protection of species, management of natural
resources and the institutional reform that gave more power for the governance
of biodiversity as shown in table 4. Close observation of the chronological lining
up of the issuance of laws and decisions would provide an idea about the threats
to biodiversity and ecosystems services in the Kingdom.

Table 4. Regulatory measures governing biodiversity in the KoB.

Law/Decision Objectives Approach/Tools

Ecosystem protection
All ecosystems Law No. 21/ Protect human health, Reduce Policy instruments and
1996 pollution and degradation plans
Coral Reefs Decision No. 8/ Ban fishing with floating or Marine Protected Area of
2007 trawling nets Hayr Bulthama
Beaches, coasts, Law No. 20/ Control or ban the use of Determining the limits of
marine entries 2006 beaches, reclamation. beaches, coasts, and marine
entries and setting.
Fines
All ecosystems Law No. 33/ Protect ecosystems from Permits
2006 domestic water disposal into Treatment and use of
public facilities domestic water in
agriculture
Mangroves Law No. 53/ Ban all kinds of filling and Tubli Bay Nature Reserve
2006 reclamation
Mangroves Decision No. 70/ Delineation of Tubli Bay Map with reclamation line
2011
Marine submerged Decision 16/ Banning reclamation Owners License from municipality
land 2005 of marine submerged
properties
Agricultural Decision No. 20/ Control on port of entry Agriculture quarantine
ecosystems 1983
Soil and Law No. 37/ Control the production, Fertilizers and agriculture
ecosystems 2005 import, and use of pesticides soil amendments
in the GCC
Soil Law No. 38/ Control the production, Fertilizers and agriculture
2005 import, and use of fertilizers soil amendments
and soil amendments (GCC)

Species protection
Sea cows, sea Decision No. 3/ Total ban of hunting Fine and prison
turtles, dolphins 2003
Hubara species Law No. 2/ 2005 Ban of hunting and trade
and Bahraini
bulbul
Local varieties of Decision No. 3/ Ban import of date palm and Control on Port of Entry
date Palm 2006 ornamental palm trees from
 countries infested by palm
trees insects

Table 4. Regulatory measures governing biodiversity in the KoB (Cont’d).

Law/Decision Objectives Approach/Tools

Species protection (Cont’d)
Shrimp Decision No. 1/ Ban of fishing or selling Defined period/schedule for
2007 Control existence of fishing fishing
gears on boats, and exhibiting
fresh shrimp for sale
Mackerel fish Decision No. 1/ Permission to use floating net Permits
2011 to catch with the exception of
the area around Hawar
Islands.
Crab Decision No. 44/ Temporal ban of catchment, Fines and Prison
2011 exhibition and selling
Sword fish Decision No. 1/ Total ban of catchment and Control/fines
2012 exhibition, selling, or use of (Pending measures)
the fish or any part of sword
fish

Natural resource management

Ground water Law No. 12/ Regulate the use of Licenses issued by DAA
1980 groundwater
Controls wells drilling and
determine the areas in which
wells drilling are allowed
Water from Allat Law No. 4/ 1983 Ban water extraction Laws are activated for two
and Khubar layer (Renewal of Stop issuance of license years to ensure recovery
Clean old Decision 23/
neglected springs 1980)
or wells
Ground water Law No. 13/ Tariffs of consumption Not applied
1983
Pesticides Law No. 11/ Controlling the use of Timely updated of list of
1989 pesticides in agriculture allowable imported
pesticides by Agric. affairs
Urban Planning Law No. 2/ 1994 Develop planning projects for Based on environmental,
cities and villages. sociological, economical,
and urban studies
Fish stock and Law No. 20/ Regulate methods of fishing Permits (Max 3
marine resources 2002 and excavation of sand, permits/person/year)
marketing and manufacturing Fines/prison
of fisheries
Agriculture Law No. 4/ 1985 Control the construction of Agriculture drainage
drainage agricultural drainage systems systems are carried out by
DAA
National Law No. 2/ 1995 Protection of wildlife
committee
National Law No. 43/ Protection of Marine Eight directorates
Commission 2005 Resources, Environment and
wildlife
Fish stock and Decision No. 11/ Temporal ban License
shrimp 2009

36
National Steering Decision No. 44/ Supervision Nine members9
Committee for 2011 Biodiversity protection
Biological Decision No. policies
Diversity 81/2011
Supreme Council Law No. 47/ Define SCE mandates/TOR Strategy of Environment
for Environment 2012 and Sustainable
Development, Cooperation
and coordination
Supreme Council Law No. 91/ Organization Five directorates
for Environment 2012
Sand excavation Law No. 37/ Ban extraction and export Permits Issued by the
2014 Minister and the Council of
Ministers

2.7. NBSAP: Lessons learned

The first NBSAP (2007) was developed based on stocktaking exercises including
bibliographic review, focused meetings and workshops. It was designed based on
Bahrain’s National Environmental Strategy (2006) in order to meet stated
sustainable development goals (i.e. environment, social and economic growth).
‘The NBSAP goal aims at halting the loss of biodiversity within Bahraini
terrestrial, marine and freshwater ecosystems’. Under the NBSAP, six priority
programmes were shortlisted. These target [1] A management framework for
Bahrain biodiversity conservation, [2] Public communications for participation
in Bahrain biodiversity conservation, [3] Adoption of a Strategic Environmental
Assessment tool in local and national sector and cross-sector development
planning, [4] Development of PAs Programme for Hawar Islands, Mashtan Island
and Ras Sanad, [5] Establishment of an Environmental Trust Fund and [6]
Establishment of an Environmental Compensation Framework. The 2007’s
NBSAP was not adopted by the Prime Minister’s Cabinet. Consequently, the
environmental trust fund in addition to other programs could not be established,
as budget was not allocated for their implementation. Since 2007, the KoB has
been striving with its capacities and governance structure to ensure the
conservation and the adaptive management of biodiversity to keep the balance
and the pace in socio-economic development while focusing on human well-
being. Below is a briefing on what happened at the governance, national
capacities and stakeholder participation levels:

 Governance: The institutional reform, which took place in the Supreme

Council for Environment, gave more weight to biodiversity conservation and

9 NSCB members: SCE (3), MOC (1), MOE (1), MOIT (1), MWMUP (1), UOB (1), CCIB (1).

37
 put biodiversity conservation related public or private ventures on the
national agenda. The reform boosted the importance of biodiversity
conservation among all stakeholders.
 National capacities: Systemic and institutional capacities have been
improved for better implementation processes. The development of the 2007
NBSAP improved national capacities and raised awareness so implemented
activities at national and local levels were building up important cumulative
effects. The enhancement of systemic, institutional and individual capacities is
the main drivers for effective implementation of the strategy.
 Stakeholder’s participation: Stakeholders participation brought more
engaging during the NBSAP update process. Lasting more than eighteen
months, the process was more interactive and it was built on face-to-face and
focused group meetings, Delphi techniques and questionnaires. The approach
followed partly the one adopted in the development of the 2007 NBSAP while
giving adequate weight to the private sector as well as to representation of
other sectors.

The emerging needs from lessons learned are summarized as follow:

 There is a need for an updated national database to fill in gaps in information,

though mobilizing financial resources for national research programs.
 The human capital at the SCE must be increased in capacities and number of
staff and internships. Those later bring innovation and boosting dynamics.
 There is a need for strengthening social capital while establishing Public
Private Partnerships (PPPs) as well as partnerships between private
institutions among themselves. These PPPs should visualize sustainable and
long-term plans as the private sector leads to ‘excellence” in the country and
boost opportunity and improve capacities.
 There is a need for designing a road map for PPPs and scenarios whereby
actions can be commissioned and/or sub-contracted to other bodies (whether
public or private).
 Fill in the gaps that emerge when addressing the application of policy
instruments. This would require the issuance of laws and the development of
mechanisms and tools for their immediate implementation.

38
 There is a need to infuse biodiversity conservation in national curricula and to
foster regional and international cooperation to increase technology transfer.

2.8. Sustainable management stories

The analysis under sustainable management is not feasible as there are no

cases to show the full adoption of sustainability principles. Nevertheless,
national policies in the KoB are sought based on sustainability principles. It
involves the use of resources for future investments, the improvement of human
capital through education and training, particularly in the field of applied
sciences. In its Vision 2030, Bahrain ‘aspire to shift from an economy built on oil
wealth to a productive, globally competitive economy, shaped by the government
and driven by a pioneering private sector – an economy that raises a broad middle
class of Bahrainis who enjoy good living standards through increased productivity
and high-wage jobs’. The Kingdom foresees the society and government adopting
‘the principles of sustainability, competitiveness and fairness to ensure that
every Bahraini has the means to live a secure and fulfilling life and reach their
full potential’. In the context of the Vision 2030, the planned initiatives include
the protection of the natural environment through the [1] Conservation of
natural spaces for future generations to enjoy, [2] Implementation of energy-
efficiency regulations, [3] Directing investments to technologies that reduce
carbon emissions, minimize pollution and promote the sourcing of more
sustainable energy. Planned initiatives embrace attractive living environment
through [1] Offering more public spaces for families, [2] Providing more modern
facilities that promote regular cultural and sports activities, [3] Enforcing laws
on cultural preservation, [4] Making archaeological and Islamic sites a more
prominent part of cultural landscape and [5] Encouraging new generations to
gain experience and in-depth knowledge of Bahraini’s cultural heritage.

It is expected that the implementation of the updated NBSAP will build up cases
with good practices in sustainable management.

39
 Section 3: Threats to biodiversity and national priorities

3.1. Main drivers of biodiversity loss

The fifth National Report revealed that the state of ecosystems in the Kingdom
has not been subject to any significant improvement in comparison to 2010 (SCE,
2015). In reality, there are no official data to monitor the trends in biodiversity
at all levels. On one hand, there are no current or recent studies describing the
changes in the status of terrestrial species (e.g. hedgehogs, Arabian Oryx, black
tailed gazelle). On the other hand, results of the surveys done on marine
mammals were published more than a decade ago (Loughland, 2006).
It is believed from direct observations that declines have been noted in most
populations’ sizes, distribution and geographic ranges. This is applicable for a
wide range of species living across and within most ecosystems. According to
local ornithologists, increasing anthropogenic pressures on birds’ natural
habitats resulted in the continuous decline of their populations. Nevertheless,
despite these pressures, birds have recently been observed to colonize the coasts
of artificial islands (SCE, 2015).
In the absence of formally adopted national indicator, the study on the cost of
environmental degradation in the Kingdom can roughly present the amplitude of
impact as well as the state of certain habitats. Recently, it was estimated at
BHD385 million (US$1,021 million) which constitutes about 4.0 percent of 2010
GDP. The shares in the degradation cost were distributed as follow: Outdoor air
pollution (47 percent), coral reefs (18 percent), water (13 percent), solid waste
(10 percent) land reclamation (7 percent) and Tubli Bay (5 percent) (COED,
2013).

Population and economic growth

The Kingdom of Bahrain had a total resident population of 1.234.571. In 2014,
the estimated population was 1.316 million people and it is expected to reach
1.592 million in 2020 and 2.128 million in 2030, up from 621 thousand in 1999.
The population growth rate is 7.4% on average (CITO, 2010). The high rate in
population growth coupled with the economic growth in the Kingdom adds more
pressure on natural resources with an increase in housing demands among many
other services. Economic growth averaged 5.0% annually between 2000 and

40
2012, driven by high oil prices, rising government spending, expansion in
property and construction, as well as high demand for private social and
personal services (mostly private health and education) (MIA, 2015). Coastal
and marine environments in the Arabian Gulf are the prime target for most of the
major housing, recreational, and economic developments (Naser et al., 2008).
According to Madany (1991), a number of sites along the coast of Bahrain down
to the coast of Sitra Island have been either dredged or reclaimed since 1930s.
These activities increased significantly in the 1970s, serving both industrial and
residential purposes, and lead to clear changes in the area of Bahrain (SCE,
2012).

Land reclamation and dredging

Using 2010 as a base year, mining and quarrying (primarily oil and gas)
accounted for 44% of real GDP and decreased to 20% in 2012, while nominal
GDP remained at 25% of GDP in both years. With the exception of real estate and
mining and quarrying, the GDP share of all major sectors increased between
2000 and 2012. The three fastest growing sectors over this period were social
and personal services, construction, and transportation and communications
(MIA, 2015). Given its limited land area (762 km2), Bahrain has markedly been
affected by coastal development. Nowadays, reclamation activities in Bahrain
resulted in the addition of around 95 km2 representing an increase of 12% of the
total land area (Naser, 2011). Additionally, more than 80% of Bahrain’s
coastline has extensively been modified due to reclamation activities (Fuller,
2005). These activities constitute a major threat to the marine environment (i.e.
mangroves, intertidal and seagrass beds). They have resulted in the loss of many
productive intertidal habitats and have greatly increased the turbidity in the
waters surrounding both reclaimed and dredged sites as well as the large-scale
disappearance of seagrass beds (Hodgson, 2006). Land reclamation affects
suspended sediments, turbidity, ocean currents and water movements as well as
salinity. The disappearance of both intertidal habitat and seagrass beds affects
respectively the marine mammals, the dolphins especially humpback dolphins
and the dugong populations (Hodgson, 2006).

41
Domestic and international tourism
As a result of greater wealth, domestic and international tourism from all types
have increased in the last decade, leading to a huge impact on the marine
environment in the Kingdom. Those activities rely on land reclamation in coastal
and marine areas where artificial islands, beaches and jetties are developed.
Litter and sewage discharge resulting from touristic activities are either left on
the beaches or thrown from vessels. They alter the habitats and strangle marine
turtles among other marine mammals. Meanwhile, debris that blow away from
waste disposal sites accumulate underwater and alter the substrate making the
areas unsuitable for marine organisms (Miller and Abdulqader, 2006).

Alien species
Following the increase in the maritime transport especially import operations,
grey data shows a steady increase in imported goods, especially in new crop
varieties and ornamental plants. It is likely expected that the import will keep
the same pace among agricultural plant species and crop varieties resulting in a
decrease in native plants’ distribution, especially in northern Bahrain. On the
other hand, two well known invasive species of birds the Corvus splendens and
Acridotheres tristis, predate on eggs and chicks of local bird species decreasing
their populations’ growth (SCE, 2015). It is worth noting that a quick appraisal
with Bahraini’s growers revealed that farmers only care about crop yield.
Consequently, imported varieties in the market will increase with time. There is
a lack of governmental control on that issue especially for seed grown plants.

Overexploitation of marine resources

National records reveal that a decline was observed in both bycatch fish size and
abundance index. Overfishing was speculated to be the major cause of fish stock
depletion between 2004-2014, leading to a rise in prices. During the same
period, a decline in the catchment size of finfish (around 70-74) indicated that
the status of fish stocks are outside the safe biological limits (DOF, 2013).

Oil spills and pollution

The marine environment in Bahrain is under constant threat form oil spills
resulting from tanker accidents, oil explorations, oil shipping and loading

42
operations. In 1991, dugong deaths were witnessed as a result of a large oil spill
(Hodgson, 2006). Other sources of oil pollution are ballast water discharged by
oil tankers, oil water discharge from garages and machine shops as well as
discharges to the sea from land-based industry and urban sources (i.e. loading
terminals, oil leaks from loading and off-loading facilities in operation terminals,
sewage effluent) (SCE, 2015).

Climate change
Bahrain’s marine ecosystem has been affected by the changes in climate
conditions for more than two decades. Potential detrimental effects of global
warming have been observed on the plant communities in seagrass beds;
increase in water depth and changes in tidal regimes and salinity; increased UV
radiation, turbidity and growth of epiphytes. Additionally, climate change has
seriously affected coral reefs communities in the Kingdom through bleaching and
killing over 90% in 1998 (Hodgson, 2006).

3.2. National priorities

Setting up national priorities was based on defining the conservation status of

the existing ecosystems and their habitats in the KoB. The threat values were
defined based on the distribution of the ecosystems and the pressures stemming
from anthropogenic activities. Conservation status of the habitats revealed that
coral reefs and intertidal mudflats habitats and agriculture ecosystems are facing
high threats. On the other hand, highest threat values are recorded for the
mangroves, seagrass beds, hadrah and freshwater spring and remnants of
streams (SCE, 2015; Loughland, 2006) (table 5).

43
 Table 5. Conservation status of biodiversity in Bahrain.

Very high threat value High threat value

High
Pressures Seagrass beds Coral Reefs
Freshwater springs and streams Intertidal mudflats
Mangroves Oyster beds
Agriculture land systems
Hadrah of Umm Sultan, Hamba, Pedat.

Medium Threat value Low threat value

Medium Algal beds
Pressures Salt Marsh and Coastal Sabkhas Desert
Sand dunes

Low distribution High distribution

The analysis revealed that the marine and coastal ecosystems are of high
conservation priority (tables 5 and 6), needless to say that the oceans and seas
are at the heart of the cultural heritage of the Kingdom. Definition of national
priorities was based on stakeholders’ engagement and participation and on
baseline biodiversity assessment (Alkhuzai, 2015a).

Table 6. National priorities actions defined for the biodiversity conservation .

Ecosystem National Priorities actions

i. Survey all marine species and map ecosystems services

Marine and Coastal ii. Cease dredging and landfill in significant areas
iii. Enforce existing laws and develop necessary legal and
administrative measures to curb activities that contribute
towards marine and coastal ecosystem degradation
iv. Ensure the accession to relevant international treaties

i. Apply emergency measures for the protection of remaining

Coral reefs live corals
ii. Develop management plans for the coral reefs
iii. Develop a communication strategy to raise awareness and
initiate science-policy interface

i. Take necessary measures to stop illegal activities and

Mangroves violations
ii. Reinforce the management program for the restoration
and plantations
iii. Develop a communication strategy to raise awareness on
the importance of mangroves.

44
 i. Take necessary measures to cease agricultural land
Agriculture conversion through the land use and management plan
ii. Promote sustainable farming systems while maintaining
the balance in ecological functioning emphasizing on the
cultural and historical value of Palm groves
iii. Develop value chain for the goods and services provided
by Palm grove to increase local communities livelihood

Freshwater i. Identify and map freshwater springs and their water flow
Springs ii. Take necessary administrative, legal and financial
measures to protect freshwater springs, improve their water
flow, and control development activities in Spring Important
Areas (SIAs);
iii. Integrate ‘SIAs’ within the eco-tourism strategy.

Desert i. Assess biodiversity including genetic resources and

traditional knowledge and map ecosystem services
ii. Develop an ecotourism strategy for domestic and
international tourism including marketing plans and value
chain, voluntary standards and guidelines for investors and
visitors
iii. Develop an awareness program on desert ecosystems, its
richness and services

Section 4: Guiding principles, strategic goals and targets

4.1. Long-term vision and mission

Vision: ‘Strive towards improving resilience of all four ecosystems in the Kingdom
and managing sustainably ecosystems services to ensure good quality of life for the
Bahraini citizens by 2030.’

Mission: ‘Biodiversity in the kingdom is assessed, mapped and valued and its
conservation is integrated into all national policies and accounted for in national
budgeting by 2021.’

4.2. Guiding principles

The guiding principles of Bahrain’s NBSAP integrate all aspects of good practices
of biodiversity protection at the governance, social and economic levels.

45
National Sovereignty
National sovereignty means that Bahrain has complete and acknowledged rights
to manage and use biodiversity in accordance with its own policies.
Nevertheless, Bahrain has made an international commitment to conserve
biodiversity and manage its resources without harming other States or
jeopardizing the common heritage of humankind or the development options of
future generations. National sovereignty is closely related to Bahrain’s
leadership and political will to assume full responsibility for the design,
development and implementation of the NBSAP.

Good governance
Good governance embraces the traditions and institutions by which authority in
a country is exercised for the common good. This includes first the process by
which those in authority are selected, monitored and replaced; second the
capacity of the government to effectively manage its biodiversity and implement
sound policies; and third the respect of citizens and the state for the institutions
that govern economic and social interactions among them.

Consistency within and integration beyond the biodiversity conservation

sector
Consistency within the biodiversity conservation sector involves fostering
synergies and minimizing contradictions in policies and their corresponding
national instruments. Integration beyond the biodiversity conservation sector
provides incentives to the private enterprises. Consistency within the sector also
involves the recognition of customary laws, traditional rights and traditional
biodiversity-related knowledge. It is necessary to seek coherence in the policies
of different sectors and in their implementation to avoid negative impacts on
biodiversity and all four types of ecosystems in Bahrain. On the other hand,
integration ensures that biodiversity-related measures in the various national
strategy and action plan contribute to fulfilling the objectives of multilateral
environmental agreements (MEAs).

46
Sustainable management
The stewardship and use of biodiversity resources in a way, and at a rate, that
conserves species diversity and ecological integrity and that maintains the
carrying capacity of the four major ecosystems in Bahrain in terms of
productivity, regeneration, and vitality. It also draws on their potential to fulfill
relevant provisional, supporting, regulating and cultural ecosystem services for
the present and future generations to come. It ensures balanced ecological
functioning in line with socio-economic development, at local, national, and
global levels.

Ecosystem approach
The ecosystem approach is a strategy for the integrated management of land,
water and living resources that promotes conservation and sustainable use in an
equitable way. Application of the ecosystem approach is based on the application
of appropriate scientific methodologies focused on levels of biological
organization which encompass the essential processes, functions and
interactions among organisms and their environment. It recognizes that humans,
with their cultural diversity, are an integral component of ecosystems.

Ecosystem-based management
Ecosystem-based management (EBM) is a place-based approach to natural
resource use that aims to restore and protect the health, function and resilience
of entire ecosystems for the benefit of all organisms. Having its foundation in the
interdependence between ecosystem health and human well-being, EBM is
based on ecosystems protection and community participation. Community
participation requires a certain degree of organization and capacity and is
therefore mostly in the hands of organized interest groups. It aims among many
other things to mobilize citizen-science programmes and the empowerment of
women.

Stakeholders’ participation
Stakeholders in biodiversity conservation are all those who depend on or benefit
from the ecosystem services and goods, or who decide on the control of or
regulate access to biodiversity resources. They participated in the development

47
of the NBSAP in various ways: directly or indirectly, actively or passively, in
supporting or opposing roles.

Precautionary principle
The precautionary principle or precautionary approach to risk management
states that if an action or policy has a suspected risk of causing harm to the
public or to the environment, in the absence of scientific consensus that the
action or policy is not harmful, the burden of proof that it is not harmful falls on
those taking an action. The principle implies that there is a social responsibility
to protect the public from exposure to harm, when scientific investigation has
found a plausible risk. These protections can be relaxed only if further scientific
findings emerge that provide sound evidence that no harm will result.

Science –policy interface

Science–policy interfaces are defined as social processes which encompass
relations between scientists and other actors in the policy process, and which
allow for exchanges, co-evolution, and joint construction of knowledge with the
aim of enriching decision-making. They are implemented to manage the
intersection between science and policy. They involve exchange of information
and knowledge leading to learning, and ultimately to changed behaviors.

Evidence-based science
Evidence-based science is the conscientious, explicit, and judicious use of current
best evidence in making decisions to enhance provision of products and services
from biodiversity resources. It recognizes that biodiversity management is
context specific, ever-changing, and involves uncertainties, and that the best
evidence is derived from a systematic process which aims to minimize bias”.

Human well-being
Political, economic and civil societal support for biodiversity conservation can be
considerably improved if the biodiversity worth to humans and societies at the
local scale are quantified and economically valued. This could also bring in an
incentive for better governance of socio-ecological systems to ensure the
sustainable management of biodiversity. Human well-being coupled with

48
ecosystem services programme strives to bridge this gap in knowledge by
exposing ecosystem services into on-going and new societal and policy
discussions.

4.3. Strategic goals and objectives

The strategic goals (SGs) and their general objectives draw on a synthesis of the
results of the biodiversity baseline assessment, the stakeholders mapping
exercises executed during the course of the NBSAP project and the results of the
stakeholders participation exercises. The SGs target all aspects of biodiversity
conservation including governance; systemic, institutional and individual
capacities; ecological functioning and services and communication and outreach.
The strategic goals values are aligned with the NBSAP guiding principles and
long-term vision.

SG I: Strengthen the governance of biodiversity conservation in national

development strategies

1. Mainstream biodiversity conservation into national development

strategies;
2. Revise and update the existing laws and put in place effective
mechanisms and tools for their implementation;
3. Strengthen systemic, institutional and individual capacities on
biodiversity governance.

SG II: Infuse biodiversity conservation in schools, universities curricula and

develop outreach programs addressed to the general public.

4. Upgrade schools and universities curricula and teaching programs to

integrate biodiversity of Bahrain in educational material and courses;
5. Develop communication strategy 10 on all aspects of biodiversity
conservation addressed to decision-makers, investors and the general
public;
6. Develop a framework to strengthen capacities and increase awareness11
on the value of biodiversity and its role in ensuring human well-being.

10Actions under the SG need to address inducing changes in consumer behaviors and lifestyle and practices (seasonal
catches, respect of carrying capacity, etc.).
11Embedded actions need to enhance the access to biodiversity sites and sustainable ecotourism activities.

49
SG III: Bridge the gaps between scientists, citizens and decision-makers by
fostering innovation and research

7. Design and develop a national research policy and program in

partnership with universities, civil society and politicians, industries and
NGOs;
8. Establish a national research council/center with necessary budget
responsible of monitoring the implementation and progress of the
national research program with its appropriate guidance;
9. Put in place a science-policy interface system.

SG IV: Strengthen existing ecological functioning systems and improve resilience

of all ecosystems

10. Work towards increasing the abundance of all organisms;

11. Establish a network of protected areas;
12. Ensure sustainable management of marine stock/natural resources;
13. Restore coral reefs and increase artificial reefs.

SG V: Foster international and regional cooperation

14. Increase the visibility of the Kingdom in biodiversity conservation at

international and regional level;
15. Participate in regional and international networks as active members and
take the lead in setting up a regional hub on island and marine
biodiversity.

4.4. National targets

The twelve national targets were set following the SBP 2011-2020 guidance and
they were aligned with the twenty Aichi Biodiversity Targets. They draw on
emerging national needs, national priorities identified and the conservation
status of the ecosystems and their habitats.

50
Marine and coastal ecosystems
Target 1: Protect an additional 10% of Bahrain’s territorial marine and coastal
areas
 Update marine and coastal ecosystems assessment and value their services
including invasive species.
 Map the ecosystem services and conservation status of marine and coastal
habitats and identify Important Areas12.
 Issue decision(s) and develop integrated management plans (IMPs) for the
protection of the identified sites.
 Develop and implement a 5-year eradication plan for invasive marine and
coastal species.
 Accession of the Ballast Water Management Convention – International Marine
Organization.

Target 2: To reduce the number of bycatch from fishing by 10%

 Design a long-term action plan for the application of regulatory measures to
reduce the bycatch from fishing.
 Mobilize the National Competent Authorities (NCAs) to gather all records to
monitor the fishermen and their bycatch value.

Target 3: Improve seawater quality by 50% from wastewater and sewage

discharge resulting from municipal treatment plants
 Design a monitoring program for sewage treatment plants.
 Implement regulatory measures and treatment plan to control sewage
discharge.

Coral Reefs
Target 4: Protect no less than 25% of remaining unprotected coral reefs
 Map ecosystem services of all coral reefs which are not protected, their values
and their socio-ecological systems.
 Issue decisions for the protection of the remaining unprotected coral reef areas
and put in place mechanisms for their conservation.
 Develop and implement an IMP based on the existing restoration program.

12 Zero Extinction Areas (ZEAs) if available.

51
 Design and implement a monitoring program (MP) and strengthen existing
national capacities.

Target 5: Raise awareness among 90% of key stakeholders and 50% of the
general public
 Design and implement mechanisms for key stakeholders engagement.
 Develop and implement a communication strategy on the values and services of
coral reefs and all marine and costal habitats to induce behavioral changes.

Mangroves
Target 6: Rehabilitate mangroves by 25% and increase the populations of
migratory bird species
 Update the ecological and socio-economic assessment of the existing
mangroves and develop a ‘bookkeeping’ for bird species populations.
 Develop an adaptive IMP for mangroves.
 Take immediate measures to reduce polluted effluents from the government
sewage treatment plants and wastewater discharged by the industrial sector.

Desert ecosystem

Target 7: To protect at least 60% of remaining desert ecosystems and wildlife

 Assess, map, collect and store information to develop a comprehensive

database including desert plants and animals, plant genetic resources and
traditional knowledge.
 Develop regulatory measures to protect identified sites which would be exempt
from any urban development.
 Establish a gene bank for desert plants and wildlife13.

Target 8: Rehabilitate desert ecosystems for the promotion of eco-tourism by

17%
 Develop an eco-tourism strategy to revive traditions and reconnect Bahraini
with nature.
 Develop an IMP in line with the eco-tourism strategy.

13 Gene bank will also host accession of agricultural crops varieties and all other types of plants.

52
 Develop and implement a communication strategy including outreach materials
for potential cultural services.

Agriculture ecosystem and freshwater springs

Target 9: Revive agricultural land systems including Palm groves by 25%

 Assess the status of agricultural land systems and map their potential services.
 Develop an IMP for the existing agricultural land systems in partnership with
farmers, shareholders and stakeholders.

Target 10: Decrease pest infestations in Palm grove by 100% and reduce other
infestation
 Develop and implement an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program to
reduce red weevil among others pest.
 Eradicate the introduced palm varieties.

Target 11: Protect no less than 100% of healthy freshwater spring

 Map and assess the status of existing freshwater springs.
 Develop regulatory measures and action plan to protect freshwater springs.

Target 12: Increase green area in the governorates by 50%

 Develop an action plan and management strategy for streetscapes, pockets
gardens and public spaces.
 Rehabilitate the green corridor and establish ‘ecotones’ within the various
landscape structures.
 Develop a communication strategy and action plan to enhance the value of the
green corridors and urban biodiversity to induce behavioral changes among the
general public.

53
 Section 5: National Action Plan

5.1. Priority actions and timeframes

The twelve national targets set require the prioritization of the various actions
involved in their implementation (table 7). For instance, emergency actions are
required for the eradication of red weevil on date palm and introduced palm
varieties. The application of existing regulatory measures is also a priority; though
there is a need to develop mechanisms of implementation and tools as well as to
mobilize the corresponding NCAs or leading bodies. The development of IMPs and
MPs requires baseline assessments on all species, ecosystem services and socio-
ecological systems. Therefore, it is necessary to establish an enabling environment
for the launching of these assessments in 2016.

Table 7. Milestones and timeframe of the NBSAP (2016-2021).

Timeframe Milestones
2016 National species and ecosystems assessments launched14
Accession of the Ballast Water Management Convention-IMO
IPM program to reduce red weevil and pest
developed/implemented
Introduced palm varieties fully eradicated
Biodiversity National Self capacity assessed (2016-2017)
State of Biosafety assessed
2017 Laws for the protection of important/vulnerable identified sites
issued
Mechanisms for laws implementation put in place and
regulatory measures well applied
Mechanisms for gathering records on exploited resources put in
place
Communications strategies developed with implementation
action plans
2018 All IMPs and MPs developed
Gene bank established and operate
2019 Mid-term evaluation of the progress of NBSAP
implementation All databases on all biodiversity related
resources hosted at IEGA
2020 Network of PAs put in place, PAs teams operational and
effective IMP implemented
Roadmap for the implementation of the PAs strategy designed
and PAs National Representative System established
2021 Measurement of behavioral changes among Bahraini citizens

14 Assessments are expected to last between 2 to 5 years.

54
 done
Systemic, institutional and individual capacities strengthened
Eradication plan of invasive marine species successfully
implemented
Analysis of defined indicators and setting the scenes for the
2022-2027 NBSAP

5.2. Actions, outputs and cost of the national targets

For each target, actions, outputs, timeframes, cost and responsibility are presented
in the matrices below (pp. 50 to 71). It is worth noting that even the
responsibilities were defined under each of the twelve targets, leading agencies and
partners have to be approved formally by relevant bodies.
TARGET 1: PROTECT AN ADDITIONAL 10% OF BAHRAIN’S TERRITORIAL MARINE AND
COASTAL AREA PROTECTED

Ecosystem Marine and Coastal Ecosystems

1.Protect an additional 1.1.Update Marine assessment inter alia 1.1.Marine Atlas
10% of Bahrain’s invasive species and identify zero Management plans
territorial marine and extinction areas
1.2.Decisions approved
coastal area protected 1.2. Issue decision(s) and develop and issued
management plans for the protection of
1.3. 80% of invasive
newly identified sites
species eradicated
1.3. Develop and implement 5-year
1.4. KoB becomes party
eradication plan for invasive species
1.4. Accession of the Ballast Water
Management Convention
Target 1 Actions Outputs

T4: Sustainable 1.1. List of Invasive spp., lists

production
1.2. Number of decisions signed
T5: Halve rate loss
Number of Management plans BDH 364,920
T8: Reduce pollution
Number of Managers and assistants
T9: Reduce invasive
hired
species
T11: Protected Areas 1.4. Official paper signed
T12: Prevent extinctions
T19: Improve knowledge
Aichi targets Indicators COST

SCE - DOF IEGA (CIO) 1.1. 2021

55
 DOF 1.2. 2018
DOCG 1.3. 2017-2021
UOB 1.4. End of 2016
NGOs
Leading agency Partners Timeline

TARGET 2: TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF BYCATCH FROM FISHING BY 10%

Ecosystem Marine and Coastal Ecosystems

2. To reduce the number 2.1. Design a long-term action 2.1. Fish bycatch reduced
of bycatch from fishing by plan for the implementation 2.2. Register of bycatch
10% of regulatory measures to quantity
reduce the bycatch from
2.3. Awareness raising
fishing
2.2.Mobilize the competent
authorities to gather all
records to monitor the
fishermen and their bycatch
quantity

Target 2 Actions Outputs

T4: Sustainable 1.1. Quantity of by

production catch/month| Nb of fines
T6: Sustainable fisheries 1.2. Nb of technician hired BHD 52,000
T19: Improve knowledge 1.2.Nb of records provided to
IEGA (CIO)
Aichi targets Indicators COST

DOF – IEGA (CIO) IEGA (CIO) 1.1. 2017

DCG 1.2. 2016-2021

Leading agency Partners Timeline

56
TARGET 3: IMPROVE SEAWATER QUALITY BY 50% FROM WASTEWATER AND SEWAGE
DISCHARGE FROM MUNICIPAL TREATMENT PLANTS

Ecosystem Marine and Coastal Ecosystems

3. Improve seawater 1.1. Design a monitoring 1.1. Monitoring program
quality by 50% from program for sewage (2016-2021)
wastewater and sewage treatment plants
1.1. Manual for awareness
discharge from municipal 1.2. Implement regulatory and building capacities
treatment plants measures and treatment
1.2.Implementation
plan to control sewage
Mechanism with tools
discharge

Target 3 Actions Outputs

T8: Reduce pollution 1.1.Records registered

1.2. Monitoring plan BHD 64,000
Nb of fines

Aichi targets Indicators COST

MWMUP IEGA 2018

CITO 2018
SEPPD
SEOMD
MWMUP

Leading agency Partners Timeline

TARGET 4: PROTECT NO LESS THAN 25% OF REMAINING UNPROTECTED CORAL REEFS

Ecosystem Coral Reefs

4. Protect no less than 4.1. Map ecosystem services, their 4.1.ES valued
25% of remaining values and the socio-economic GDP contribution
unprotected coral reefs dynamics of stakeholders estimated
4.2. Issue laws for the protection of 4.2.Laws issued
the remaining coral reef areas and
4.3.Management

57
 put in place mechanisms for their plans developed
conservation 4.4.MP and Training
4.3. Develop and implement an IMP manual developed
based on the existing restoration
program
4.4. Design and implement a MP
including strengthening existing
capacities

Target 4 Actions Outputs

T2: Mainstream 4.1. Nb and monetary values of ES,

biodiversity 4.2. Laws issues and approved by
T4: Sustainable Council of Ministers, Nb of persons
production hired for the protection
T10: Minimize reef loss 4.3. Age distribution of Mangroves,
Nb of mangrove trees planted, BHD 758,720
T15: Enhance resilience
4.4. Monitoring program, Nb of
T19: Improve
training and Nb of participants in the
knowledge
training

Aichi targets Indicators COST

SCE IEGA 4.1. 2018

DCG and DOF 4.2. 2017
UOB 4.3. 2019
AGU 4.4. 2017-2018
DERASAT
NGOs

Leading agency Partners Timeline

TARGET 5: RAISE AWARENESS AMONG 90% OF KEY STAKEHOLDERS AND 50% OF THE
GENERAL PUBLIC

Ecosystem Coral Reefs

5. Raise awareness among 5.1. Design and implement 5.1. Mechanism
90% of key stakeholders mechanisms for 5.2.Communication
and 50% of the general engagement of key strategy and Plan
public stakeholders
5.2. Awareness campaign
5.2. Develop and implement and awareness material
a communication strategy

58
 on the values and services
of coral reefs to induce
behavioral changes

Target 5 Actions Outputs

T1: Understand values 5.1. Nb of partnership and

initiatives with PPP
5.2. Nb of visitors to Coral
reefs
BHD 944,400

Aichi targets Indicators COST

MOE - SCE UOB 2017-2021

DOC
NGOs
Youth groups

Leading agency Partners Timeline

TARGET 6: REHABILITATE MANGROVES BY 25% AND INCREASE MIGRATORY BIRD SPECIES

BY 10%

Ecosystem Mangroves
6.Rehabilitate 6.1. Update the ecological and 6.1. Mangroves ES valued
mangroves by 25% socio-economic assessment of 6.1. Bookkeeping of Birds
and increase the existing mangroves and
6.2. IMP 2017-2022
populations of develop a ‘bookkeeping’ for
migratory bird species bird species populations 6.3. Decision for Emergency
measures issued
6.2. Develop and implement
adaptive IMPs for mangroves
6.3. Take immediate measures
to reduce polluted effluents
from the government treatment

59
 plants and wastewater by the
industrial sector
Target 6 Actions Outputs

T3: Address incentives 6.1. Number of bird species

T7: Manage within Number of mangrove seedlings
limits planted/survival rate
T8: Reduce pollution Database on Mangrove surface
T10: Minimize Reef area
loss Bookkeeping of bird species BHD 178,100
T12: Prevent 6.2. Management Plan
extinctions 6.3. Range of chemical
T15: Enhance concentration
resilience
T19: Improve
knowledge

Aichi targets Indicators COST

SCE IEGA (CIO) 2017-2018

MOF, IAA, MWMUP 2016-2021
Coastal police 2017-2018
UOB, AGU 2016
NGOs
Leading agency Partners Timeline

TARGET 7: TO PROTECT AT LEAST 60% OF REMAINING DESERT ECOSYSTEMS AND

WILDLIFE

Ecosystem Desert Ecosystems

7.To protect at least 7.1. Assess, map, collect and store 7.1. Database completed
60% of remaining information to develop a 7.2. Law issued
desert ecosystems comprehensive database
7.3. Gene Bank established
and wildlife including desert plants and
and functional
animals, plant genetic resources
and traditional knowledge
7.2.Develop regulatory measures
to protect identified sites
exempting any urban

60
 development
7.3.Establish a gene bank for
desert plants and wildlife
Target 7 Actions Outputs

T12: Prevent 7.1.Population distribution of

extinction desert wildlife
T13: Conserve gene Database and Maps at IEGA (CIO)
pool Traditional knowledge register
T16: Implement BHD 493,280
7.2. Number of laws issued
Nagoya Protocol
7.3.Number of accession of
T19: Improve genetic resources
knowledge

Aichi targets Indicators COST

7.1. AGU and UOB SCE 7.1. 2016-2021

7.2. SCE IEGA 7.2. 2016-2017
7.3. UOB CITO 7.3. 2018
NGOs

Leading agency Partners Timeline

TARGET 8: REHABILITATE DESERT ECOSYSTEMS FOR THE PROMOTION OF ECO -TOURISM

BY 17%

Ecosystem Desert Ecosystems

8.Rehabilitate 8.1.Develop an eco-tourism strategy 8.1. Ecotourism strategy
desert ecosystems to revive traditions and reconnect Ecotourism Plan
for the promotion Bahrainis with nature Ecotourism
8.2. IMP (2018-2022)
of eco-tourism by strategy
17% 8.3. Communication
8.2. Develop an IMP plan aligning
strategy
with the eco-tourism strategy
Guidebooks, booklets
8.3. Develop and implement a
communication strategy including 8.3. Awareness campaigns
outreach materials for potential
cultural services

61
Target 8 Actions Outputs

T1: Understand 8.1. Number of visitors, Eco-

values tourism package sold
T4: Sustainable 8.2. Ecotourism strategy, Nb of
production visitors
T5: Halve rate loss 8.3. Outreach material produced BHD 937,850
T14: Restore Nb of visitors, domestic and
ecosystem international tourists
T15: Enhance
resilience

Aichi targets Indicators COST

DOT MOE, SCE 8.1. 2017

ARCWH, BACA 8.2. 2017
UOB, AGU 8.3. 2018
NGOs
Leading agency Partners Timeline

TARGET 9: REVIVE AGRICULTURAL LAND SYSTEMS INCLUDING PALM GROVES BY 25%

Ecosystem Agriculture ecosystems

10. Revive agricultural land 10.1. Assess the status of 10.1.ALS portfolio
systems including Palm agricultural land systems 10.2. IMP 2018-2023
groves by 25% (ALS) and map their
potential services
10.2. Develop IMP for the
existing ALS in partnership
with farmers, shareholders
and stakeholders
Target 10 Actions Outputs

62
T7: Manage within limits 10.1. Map of Ecosystem
services
T9: Reduce invasive species
10.2. IMP
T13: Conserve gene pool
Nb of Private Public
T15: Enhance resilience Partnerships (PPPs) BHD 250,250
T16: Implement Nagoya
Protocol
T19:Improve knowledge
Aichi targets Indicators COST

DAA MWMUP 10.1. 2016-2017

UOB/AGU 10.2 2017
NGOs
Leading agency Partners Timeline

TARGET 10: DECREASE PEST INFESTATIONS IN PALM GROVE BY 100% AND OTHER PEST
INFESTATION

Ecosystem Agriculture Ecosystems

11.Decrease pest 11.1. Develop and implement an 11.1. IPM
infestations in Palm Integrated Pest Management 11.2. Eradication Plan
grove by 100% program to reduce red weevil
among other agricultural pest
11.2. Eradicate the introduced palm
varieties
Target 11 Actions Outputs

T9: Reduce invasive 11.1. Number of infested Palm

species grove
11.2. IPM plan developed
Nb of introduced palm varieties
eradicated
BHD 342,650
Aichi targets Indicators COST

DAA AGU 2016…2020

NGOs

63
 NIAD
Leading agency Partners Timeline

TARGET 11: PROTECT NO LESS THAN 75% OF HEALTHY FRESHWATER SPRING

Ecosystem Agriculture Ecosystems

12. Protect no less 12.1 Map and assess the status of 12.1.FWS portfolio
than 100% of existing freshwater springs (FWS) 12.2. Law issued
healthy freshwater 12.2. Develop regulatory measures and
spring action plan to protect freshwater springs
Target 12 Actions Outputs

T11: PAs 12.1. Water quality of freshwater

T14: Ecosystems springs
restoration Freshwater springs maps
T15: Enhance Water composition
resilience 12.2. Laws issued, Nb of freshwater BHD 63,800
T19:Improve springs protected
knowledge

Aichi targets Indicators COST

DAA SCE 2017

IEGA, SLRB
CITO
AGU
NGOs

Leading agency Partners Timeline

64
TARGET 12: INCREASE GREEN AREA IN THE GOVERNORATES BY 30%

Ecosystem Desert Ecosystems

9. Increase 9.1. Develop an action plan and 9.1.Database on urban
green area in the management strategy for streetscapes, biodiversity
governorates by pocket gardens and public spaces
30%
9.2.Management Plan
9.2. Rehabilitate the green corridor and
establish ecotones within the various 9.3.Green belt delineating
landscape structures urban area
9.3. Develop a communication strategy and 9.4 Communication
action plan to enhance the value of the strategy
green corridors and urban biodiversity to
induce behavioral changes
Target 9 Actions Outputs

T1: Understand 9.1. Surface area

values Action plan developed
T14: Restore 9.2. Management plan developed
Ecosystem
Length of the corridor/surface BHD 995,600
T15: Enhance areas
resilience
9.3. Communication strategy
developed
Aichi targets Indicators COST

MWMUP 4 Governorates Municipal Council, 9.1. 2017-2018

SCE 9.2. 2018-2020
BACA 9.3. 2019
MOE
UOB, AGU
NGOs, NIAD
Media
Leading agency Partners Timeline

65
5.3. Actions towards improving protection of species
The establishment of protected areas and their effective management has ‘long
been a cornerstone of biodiversity conservation efforts and remains the most
widely deployed and best-known strategy’. Nevertheless, biodiversity outside the
boundaries of these areas are important and valuable (Redford et al., 2015). The
guiding principles of the NBSAP in Bahrain set the ground towards the protection
of ecosystems being protected or not. In that light, the actions defined to meet
specific targets will have as basis the Ecosystem approach. The identification of
important sites and/or AZE and the development of regulatory measures to ensure
their long-term conservation will contribute not only to the protection of species
but also to the protection of genetic resources through the establishment of a gene
bank (Target 7) and to an increase of ecosystems resilience (Target 1).
On the other hand, the PAs network will ensure that 90% of the available plant
and animal species are protected in the Kingdom. In the national PAs strategy, it is
proposed that the existing PAs system needs to define specific management
objectives and develop operational management plans. The proposed strategy shed
the light on the declaration of new PAs of ecologically important and sensitive
habitats. These are northern Hayrat, northwestern waters of the Hawar Islands,
and area in the North of Bahrain / South of Fasht Al Jarim. In parallel, an expansion
of the PAs network with the identification of new sites is essential to ensure
representativeness of all ecosystems and habitats found in the Kingdom. Certain
PAs such as Arad and Tubli Bay require immediate management intervention to
prevent their degradation. Hawar Islands and Hayr Bul Thamah containing natural
and cultural values of national and international importance, require an
operational and functional management system. The Hawar Islands site with an
important conservation values is currently on the tentative UNESCO-WHS (Abdulla,
2015).

5.4. Restoring and increasing resilience of critical ecosystem

Since late nineties, restoration initiatives of mangroves along the coast were
launched. These ongoing projects are taking place in Ras Sanad Nature Reserve,
Tubli Bay and Dohat Arad (SCE, 2015). In the 5-years plan, the new identified sites
recognized for their high conservation value will set the path for safeguarding

66
critical habitats in the Kingdom. On one hand, the development of IMPs and MPs
will strengthen ecological integrity and ensure resilience of the critical sites. These
plans and programs are sought to be not only effective but also adaptive to manage
any emerging changes. On another hand, the expansion of green corridors (belt)
and the establishment of PAs network will also have a great impact on the
resilience of existing critical ecosystems especially agriculture and urban
ecosystems. Green corridors will be managed in a way to play the role of a
transition zone (tension zone/ecotone) between the various terrestrial and costal
habitats found in the Kingdom. Additionally, the restoration of mangroves will
boost marine ecosystems and increase the resilience of coastal populations and
communities, linking the existing meta-populations of either birds or marine
organisms.

The PAs strategy proposes two fundamental concepts for long-term success of
the PAs strategy while ensuring representativeness of the Kingdom ecosystems and
habitats. The first one is related to the establishment of a legally mandated
governing body for PAs and the second one involves the development of a program
of work to operationalize hands-on management. The latter will contribute to
strengthen the administration of PAs management schemes at the SCE (e.g.
recruitment of PA managers, rangers) and strengthen technical capacity (e.g.
training in surveillance, enforcement, promotion, monitoring, and business
planning for the PA system) (Abdulla, 2015).

67
 Section 6: Implementation plan

Strong commitment for biodiversity conservation in all sectors requires primarily

ensuring political, social, technical and financial support for the NBSAP
implementation. It necessitates a harmonized approach based on the integration of
biodiversity conservation in both cross-sectoral and sector-specific plans. Cross-
sectoral plans involve sustainable development, poverty reduction, climate change
adaptation/mitigation, trade and international cooperation; while sector-specific
plans target agriculture, fisheries, forestry, mining, energy, tourism, transport.

It is worth mentioning that at national level, synergizing of efforts is crucial. For

instance, the Kingdom has several ongoing initiatives that could be related to the
NBSAP. Although these initiatives are scattered and conducted by several
institutions, they eventually participate in the NBSAP implementation. This is
applicable to an initiative launched by the CITO to spatially map marine
environment. Therefore, it is expected that some actions stipulated by the NBSAP
will go ahead while waiting for the formal adaptation of the NBSAP.

6.1. Mainstreaming of biodiversity conservation

Mainstreaming of biodiversity conservation was developed as a mean of

addressing the fact that biodiversity conservation goals are viewed as distinct from,
and sometimes even contradictory to, the goals of development and economic
growth. It has been referred to as “integrating” biodiversity into various
development sectors. It implies changes in development models, strategies and
paradigms (UNEP-WCMC, 2013). In the KoB, there is a big potential to integrate
biodiversity conservation into recent national policies and strategies such as the
Economic Vision 2030, Agriculture Affairs Strategy, Government Action Plan (GAP)
2015-2018 (table 8).

It is worth noting that other national policy instruments exist but are outdated
such as National Environment Strategy (2006), National Planning Strategy (2007),
and Bahrain Vision (2010-2015). Even if outdated, they are mentioned in here to
shed the light on the core principles of the Kingdom’s national policy instruments
revolving around same principles as biodiversity conservation policies. The

68
National Environmental Strategy was endorsed with a set of guiding principles.
Those are precautionary and polluters pay principles, partnership and
improvement of the state of the environment.

69
Table 8. Mainstreaming potential of the NBSAP targets with national policies.
National policies instruments NBSAP’s Targets
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 1 1
0 1 2
Economic Vision 2030
Conserve natural areas for future generations to enjoy          
Implement energy-efficient regulations
Invest into technologies that reduce carbon emissions, minimize pollution and promote the use of more
sustainable energy
Encourage new generations of Bahrainis to gain experience and in-depth knowledge of their cultural    
heritage
Government Action Plan 2015-2018
Develop environmental awareness and education projects   
Strengthen partnership with local community in all environmental fields     
Increase the networks of PAs 
Restore critical and vulnerable biodiversity areas     
Protect species in their natural range and regain number of threatened species with extinction (Animal      
breeding programs in captivity and plant nurseries)
Develop new regulations; strengthen monitoring, and frequency of inspection processes     
Revise and update constitutional framework of environmental issues to be in line with rapid changes,  
guaranteeing the protection of natural habitats and plant and animal life in both desert and marine
ecosystems
Update monitoring systems of environmental violations    
Improve EIAs implementation mechanisms (industrial waste, untreated domestic waste, other dumps).   
Protect coastal and marine protected areas     
Support greenery and tree-planting projects 
Developing means of protecting the environment, species, strains and varieties of ecological,       
economical, and cultural importance
Agriculture Affairs Strategy 2010-2015

70
Achieve relative food security  
Conserve natural resources     
Combat animal and plant diseases and strengthen the abilities to deal with cross boundary diseases 
Support small-scale farming    

71
The National Planning Strategy (2007) whose aim is to transform Bahrain into a
prosperous and innovative city-state of the 21st Century, addresses issues such
as natural resources, lack of zoning, weak transport infrastructure, insufficient
public open space and the need for improved education and comprehensive
employment. It lays out ten key strategies that coordinate and focus on
development, control land speculation, protect resources, preserve historic and
ecologically important sites, integrate transport and ensure public access to open
space and the waterfront. The Bahrain Economic Vision (2010-2015) objective is
to achieve food security, sustainable income and economic prosperity through
eco-tourism and local production via utilizing restored and conserved
ecosystems.’ Despite of the holistic vision in the previous strategies and plans,
there is little progress in environmental protection portfolios and a shy progress
in the implementation of sustainable development. Nevertheless, it is expected
that the new biodiversity strategy will foster biodiversity mainstreaming process
and synergizing efforts towards better practices in environmental protection and
higher effectiveness in national plans implementation tackling biodiversity
conservation and environmental protection such as the 2020 Vision and
GAP2015-2018.

The 2030 vision foresees not only economic development but also leveraging
the standard of life of Bahrainis and improving their well-being. It states that
society and government in Bahrain ‘will embrace the principles of sustainability,
competitiveness and fairness to ensure that every Bahraini has the means to live a
secure and fulfilling life and reach their full potential’. It draws on law
enforcement, cultural preservation and conservation of natural spaces for future
generations to enjoy, education and research, strengthening national capacities,
sustainable energy sources, and planning processes for a better quality of life
with more attractive and open spaces.
Despite the potential of mainstreaming in the above-mentioned recent national
policy instruments, the GAP reveals to be a more recent and fertile ground to
ensure mainstreaming of biodiversity conservation while fostering resource
mobilization at the same time at the national level. Though, this first step
requires a close collaboration to be launched by the SCE to synchronize and
synergize efforts towards meeting the targets set under the NBSAP. The GAP

72
2015-2018 targets development, poverty reduction, natural resources
management and climate change. It integrates environmental protection, urban
development and strengthening good governance among its six strategic
priorities. Additionally, the GAP involves cross-sectoral cooperation (p. 9),
improve citizenship through the education system (p. 21), establish
infrastructure to institutionalize research and strengthen research capacities to
respond to national priorities (p. 22). In its fifth chapter, the GAP focuses on
sustainable use of water resources and electricity while promoting green
technology (p. 41). The GAP 2015-2018 foresees food security (p. 44) while
providing support to farmers and ensuring mechanisms for plant protection.
Under this same chapter, the action plan targets activities similar to the NBSAP
targets set (p. 47-48). It is evident that through the plan there is room for
synergizing and harmonizing efforts on one hand. On the other hand, again it
opens the door for resources mobilization from national budgets.

6.2. Synergies between international agreements

The institutional arrangements within a government determine how the

international agreements are implemented at the national level. It is necessary to
establish formal settings of cooperation among NCAs through their personnel
and National Focal Points (NFPs) to ensure effective implementation while
synchronizing efforts. In the context of the Kingdom NBSAP, NFPs were
contacted and convened to participate in the workshops among other
communication’s activities related to the NBSAP updating process. The NFPs
were those not only working on biodiversity-related conventions but also other
Multilateral Environmental Agreements ratified by the Kingdom.

At present, Bahrain is signatory to fourteen international conventions related

directly or indirectly to wildlife protection and biodiversity conservation. For
most of the ratified conventions, the Kingdom has developed necessary national
policy instruments and tools to ensure their implementation. The results of an
attempt to present the existing policy instruments and cross-sectoral
cooperation among government agencies are presented in table 9. Additionally,
the NBSAP targets set for Bahrain matched most of the goals and objectives of

73
the biodiversity-related conventions (table 10). Nevertheless, there is a need to
align the national targets sets within the NBSAP with the other biodiversity-
related conventions through direct contact and the establishment of formal
institutional arrangements settings to ensure regular follow up and avoid the
duplication of efforts and for resource mobilization.

74
Table 9. Policy instruments and cross-sectoral cooperation under the ratified environmental agreements in the KoB.

Convention/Protocol Year of NCA Policy instruments Cross-sectoral

ratification cooperation
agencies
Kuwait Regional Organization for the Law No. 17/ 1978 SCE National Contingency Plan for Combating Pollution by MPA, DCG, DRM,
Protection of the Marine Environment Oil and other harmful substances. National NOGA, Royal Navy
(ROPME) agreement Environmental Standards for Industrial Water Effluent.
EIAs
Protocol on Marine Pollution Law No. 9/ 1990 PME N/A
United Nations Framework Convention Law No. 7/ 1994 SCE Intended Nationally Determined Contribution
on Climate Change (INDC)
Convention on Biological Diversity Law No. 18/ 1996 SCE NBSAP
Ramsar Convention Law No. 3/ 1997 SCE MMWUP
United Nations Convention to Combat Law No. 9/ 1997 DAA National Action Plan
Desertification
Environmental Impact Assessment Law No. 1/ 1998 SCE Law
International Convention for the Law No. 32/ 2005 SCE Riyadh MOU MTT (MPA), DCG
Prevention of Pollution from Ships
International Convention on Oil Law No. 4/ 2010 National Contingency Plan for Combating Pollution by MTT (MPA),NOGA
Pollution Preparedness, Response and Oil and other Harmful Substances. Oil Spill Contingency
Co-operation (OPRC) Plan for Coastal Facilities.
Stockholm Convention on Persistent Law No. 39/ 2005 DAA N/A
Organic Pollutants
Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety Law No. 2/ 2011 SCE Interim-measure under the Protocol N/A
UNESCO- World Heritage Decree No. 3 / BACA Bahrain Action Plan for Marine World Heritage
Convention 1991
Convention on International Trade Law No. 27/2012 SCE Suspension of trade in one or more species SCE, CG, MTT
of Endangered Flora and Fauna
Species

75
Table 10. Alignment of NBSAP targets with biodiversity-related conventions goals.
Biodiversity related Conventions NBSAP Targets
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
RAMSAR Convention on Wetlands
Goal 1: Addressing the drivers of wetland loss and degradation    
Goal 2. Effective conservation and management of the RAMSAR Sites Network    
Goal 3. Wise use of all wetlands through partnerships    
Goal 4. Raised awareness and involvement in wetlands   
Convention on International Trade of Endangered Fauna and Flora Species
Goal 2: Secure the necessary financial resources and means Convention implementation     
Goal 3: Contribute to significantly reducing the rate of biodiversity loss 
Convention on Migratory Species
Goal 1: Address the underlying causes of decline of migratory species (MS)    
Goal 2: Reduce the direct pressures on MS and their habitats     
Goal 3: Improve the conservation status of MS and the ecological connectivity and resilience of their  
habitats
Goal 4: Enhance the benefits to all from the favorable conservation status of MS
Goal 5: Enhance implementation through participatory planning, knowledge management, capacity
building
The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA)
Goal 1: Conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture and the   
fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of their use, for sustainable agriculture and food
security
World Heritage Convention
Goal 1: Continually improve World Heritage site management capacities   
Goal 2: Counter threats to World Heritage in Danger sites   
Goal 4: Apply the Ecosystem Approach   
International Plant Protection Convention   
Objective: To protect world plant resources, including cultivated and wild plants by preventing the        
introduction and spread of plant pests and promoting the appropriate measures for their control.

76
6.3. Resource mobilization
The environmental trust fund proposed in 2007 as the main mechanism to ensure
the availability of financial resources NBSAP implementation was not made
operational. This was mainly due to a lack of follow up on NBSAP implementation
in terms of endorsement and approval from parliament. Thus NBSAP was not
given a priority and was not communicated properly with various government
agencies in the Kingdom. This was among the many shortfalls that were faced by
the stakeholders striving to establish an enabling environment for biodiversity
conservation especially in terms of governance and policy instruments.
The updating process showed high motivation and potential strong
engagement from the public and private institutions. It opened the ground for
discussing potential partnerships (PPPs among others) for resource mobilization
for the implementation of the various actions of the NBSAP (2016-2021).
Different lines of financial resource were identified with the main categories of
actions (table 11). Lines of financial resources fall under one of the followings:

 Government budget
 Public sector (TAMKEEN)
 Private sector (CSR, donations)
 Inter-governmental organization
 Local and regional Development Banks

Table 11. Categories actions and the corresponding funding sources.

Actions categories Inter- Regional Local Private HNWI

Governmental Sector
Policy instruments15 
Assessments 16   
Communication17    
Infrastructure18   

15 IMPs, IPMs, MPs, Ecotourism strategies, Laws, tools for laws implementation
16 Species assessment, ES mapping, FWS mapping, AZEs, etc.
17 Communication strategy, outreach material, awareness campaign, schools activities
18 Gene Bank, Botanical Garden, Guesthouses, etc.

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It is proposed that the financial resources flow will a priori feed the
environmental trust fund (fig. 9). High Net-Worth Individuals (HNWI) identified
at national or regional and even global level will also feed into the NTF, this in
addition to the development banks in the Gulf and Arab countries as well as the
Asian development banks. Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) is
another type of financial support, which provide funds for species assessment and
developing and updating the checklist of plants and animals. Similar funding
initiatives exist for the marine life. Capacity development at individual level can
be resources that can be acquired from TAMKEEN and other domestic
governmental budgets allocated for the institutional and systemic capacities of
governmental agencies.

International Organizations
GEF, World Bank, GBIF

National programme TAMKEEN

National Environmental Trust Private sector CSR

Fund (BAPCO, GPIC, etc.)

Development banks
Islamic Development Bank,
Asian Development Bank

High/ Net Worth individuals*,

investment bonds, donations

Figure 9. Potential funding sources for building up a National Environmental Trust Fund
for NBSAP implementation.

6.4. Communication, education and public awareness plan

Communication strategies addressed to the various sectors and levels constitute
an integral part of the national biodiversity targets in the Kingdom. Cross-cutting
components of all NBSAP actions, it is part of SGII (Section 2). Biodiversity is
already infused in science programs in schools in the Kingdom. It was proposed

78
that means of awareness include conventional Media tools such as TV, Radio,
Social Media managed by the MOCT and MYS. Other means of direct
communications proposed include seminars, workshops, round table discussions,
educational courses, training addressed to government officials, and publication
of relevant educational manuals.

6.5. Plan for capacity development

A plan for capacity development needs a priori assessing the national capacities
on biodiversity conservation. The National Self Capacity Assessment (NCSA)
woild involve the assessment of technical, administrative and financial capacities
for biodiversity conservation through open-ended/close-ended questionnaires
addressed to national stakeholders. Beside than defining national capacity, the
NCSA analyses the root causes of biodiversity loss and ecosystems degradation
while defining a plan of action for capacity development. The NCSA looks at three
levels of capacities in countries. These are systemic, institutional and individual
capacities.

• Systemic capacity: It aims at creating an “enabling environment” for biodiversity

conservation. It addresses the overall policy, economic and regulatory
frameworks within which institutions and individuals operate. Systemic capacity
includes the framework for cooperation and communication processes as well as
mandates between institutions.

• Institutional capacity: It aims at developing its own individuals and staff, as well
as putting in place a path for collaboration with agency staff, national and regional
bodies. This level includes the overall performance and functional capabilities of
the institution, such as developing mandates, tools, guidelines and information
management systems.

• Individual capacity: It aims to change attitudes and behaviours through

communication, awareness raising, building knowledge and developing skills. It
also involves hands on involvement, pro-active participation, and ownership of
issues at hand. It includes enhancing performance through changes in
management, administration, accountability and responsibility.

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 In the NBSAP, the NCSA is scheduled to start at the end of 2016. It is a necessary
component of the NBSAP implementation in order to ensure effective
management of all actions planned for the next 5 years to come.

Section 7: Institutional structure for NBSAP’s

implementation

7.1. National coordination structures

Apart from being the NCA for the implementation of the CBD and NBSAP, the SCE
is the supervising agency and one among the leading agencies for the
implementation of actions and follow up processes in a timely manner. The
Directorates under the various Ministries will be the executing agencies
responsible of the actions; each directorate will be responsible of the resources
which fall under its mandate (fig. 10). The Directorate of Agricultural Affairs
(DAA) is the Leading executing agency handling the Agricultural and FWS
ecosystems. The Directorate of Fisheries is the leading executing agency on the
Marine and Coastal Ecosystems in close partnership with the Directorate of
Biodiversity at the SCE where appropriate (i.e. mangroves and coral reefs). Desert
ecosystems will be handled by the SCE in close partnership with the various
agencies depending on the ecosystem services managed and protected.

80
 Leading
Supervising Coordinating
executing Partners
Agency Committees
agencies

Supreme
National
Council for Public
Steering DOB-SCE
Environmen sector
Committee
t

Technical DOF- Private

Teams MWMUP Sector

Biodiversity
Sub-national DAA-
Committees Universities
MWMUP

DGC NGOs

Cooperatives
Universities & civil
societies

Figure 10. Leading agencies and partners’ coordination structure for the NBSAP
implementation.

7.2. National Biodiversity Steering Committee

In 2011, a National Biodiversity Steering Committee (NBSC) was established in

the Kingdom (Decisions: No. 44/2011 and No. 81/2011). It gathers nine members
designated by the SEC (3 members), MOC (1 member), MOE (1 member), MOIT (1
member), MWMUP (1 member), UOB (1 member) and CCIB (1 member). The
NBSC19 will bring on board additional members to support the three technical
teams in their work on NBSAP’s implementation. The main task of the NBSC is to
supervise the processes of monitoring and evaluation of NBSAP’s implementation
(in 2009 and 2021) as well as ensuring the mainstreaming of biodiversity
conservation in all sectors. Meanwhile, in order to ensure mainstreaming of
biodiversity conservation in the various sectors and aligning MEAs targets and
other targets of existing national action plans related directly or indirectly to
biodiversity conservation, the NBSC will have on board additional representatives
listed below from each of the agencies.

19 It is proposed not to have more than 10-12 members on each of the committees or sub-committees.

81
 1. Directorate of Fisheries (DOF)
2. Directorate of Agricultural Affairs (DAA)
3. National Oil and Gas Authority (NOGA)
4. Port and Maritime Affairs
5. The Informatics and e-government Authority (previously CIO)
6. Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (BACA)
7. Directorate of Budget (DOB)
8. Industries: ALBA, Bahrain Steel, etc.20
9. Academic sector and Research: UoB and AGU21
10. Bahrain Development Bank
11. TAMKEEN22
12. NGOs

On another hand, it is crucial to consider having the National Focal Points (NFPs)
on board of the NBSC.

7.3. Technical Teams

The Technical Teams (TTs) aim is to ensure mainstreaming of biodiversity

conservation in the various sectors and national policies and to provide the
needed technical support for NBSAP implementation. Each technical team is
assigned a set of Terms of Reference to ensure the effectiveness of biodiversity
conservation governance starting with national assessment to issuance of law and
their implementation. It was agreed by all stakeholders to establish three TTs on
the following areas: Marine and Coastal biodiversity, Agriculture biodiversity and
Urban biodiversity (fig. 11). The TT constitution involves experts and scholars as
well as practitioners in the fields of Marine and Coastal biodiversity, Agriculture
biodiversity and Urban biodiversity. The tasks of each of these teams target all
technical and scientific issued related to NBSAP’s implementation as well as
requirement for capacity building at all levels. It is worth noting that TTs will

20 Representative of one of the listed industry will be on board and the representative can alternate between the existing
industries in the Kingdom
21 Representatives of one university can serve three years and be replaced by representative of another university.
22 It is proposed to address TAMKEEN and involve them on specific issues related to Building capacities or to get them on

board of the technical teams.

82
assist in mainstreaming process to avoid duplication and overlap with any other
national policy instruments. NIAD, as part of the TT will be a major partner on the
projects/programs related to reforestation (green corridor/belt, ecotone, public
gardens), Environmental Education at schools, Environmental awareness, as well
as women empowerment in the agricultural sector. NGOs will be selected to join
the technical teams based on their organization’s missions and capacities.

7.4. Sub-national committees

Sub-national committee will be established to ensure mainstreaming of NBSAP

and as part of stakeholders participation. There are four governorates in the
Kingdom of Bahrain; the capital, northern, southern and Muharraq. Each
governorate has its own municipality council. Four interdisciplinary sub-national
committees23 will be formed with an elected rapporteur whose main task is to
report to the NBSC (fig. 12). The NBSC delegates a representative to join each of
the technical teams whose main task is to update the committee on the needs,
advances in the implementation processes or any emerging issues and needed
support.

23The TORs of the sub-national committees could be merged with the municipal council (Article
19- Municipality law). If this can be applicable so there will be no need to create a ‘new’
committees (the sub-national ones).

83
 Supreme Council for Environment

National Biodiversity Steering Committee

Database and Dashboard

Marine & Coastal TT Agriculture Biodiversity TT Urban Biodiversity TT

Ministry of Works, Municipalities and Urban

Marine Resources Affairs Planning
Supreme Council for Environment Directorate of Agriculture Affairs Directorate of Agriculture Affairs
Ports and Maritime Affairs National Initiative for Agricultural Development Supreme Council for Environment
Direcorate of Coast Guards Energy and Water Authority National Initiative for Agricultural
Directorate of Curriculum Directorate of Curriculum Development
General Directorate of Statistics General Directorate of Statistics Structural Energy and Water Authority
Bahrain Fishing Company Planning Directorate Farmers Society Directorate of Curriculum
Fishermen cooperatives Arabian Gulf University Structural Planning Directorate
Survey and Land Registration Bureau University of Bahrain General Directorate of Statistics
University of Bahrain Non-Governmental Organization Farmers Society
Non-Governmental Organization Royal University of Women
University of Bahrain
Non-Governmental Organization

Figure 11. Structure and membership of the NBSC and technical teams responsible for all aspects of NBSAP’s implementation24,25

24 NIAD: Reforestation with native species, Environmental Education at schools, Environmental awareness, Women empowerment in agriculture.
25 NGOs are selected to join the technical teams based on their missions and capacities.

84
 3 Representatives 4 Rapporteurs 4 Rapporteurs
National Biodiversity Steering Committee

Sub-national Committee of Capital Municpality Council of Capital

Marine & Coastal Technical Team
governorate governorate

Sub-national Committee of Municipality Council of Muharraq

Terrestrial Technical Team
Muharraq governorate governorate

Sub-national Committee of Municipality Council of Northern

Urban Biodiversity Technical Team
northern governorate governorate

Interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral Sub-national Committee of Municipality Council of Southern

teams southern governorate governorate

Figure 12. National and sub-national coordination structure for NBSAP’s implementation26.

26 NB: The sub-national committees are linked to the technical teams through the designated ‘Rapporteur’– the diagram presents the 3 layers of coordination.

85
 Section 8: Monitoring and Reporting

8.1. Evaluation of NBSAP’s implementation

The best scenario needs to bring together public and private agencies whereby
their terms of reference under each activity would be aligned with their national
mandates. The scenario draws on a decentralized system linked through an
inter-operable platform (which could be hosted by the CHM). The inter-operable
platform will bring together authorized users nominated by relevant authority,
in addition to two or three validating-users designated from the concerned
agencies.

The evaluation of the implementation of actions will be based on the

measurement of the defined indicators by the relevant agencies. In terms of
monitoring and reporting, each of the agencies, TTs and sub-national committees
(fig. 12) will have a set of specific terms of references. The NBSC and TTs will
follow up on the monitoring and evaluation of the mainstreaming of the NBSAP’s
implementation as well as the evaluation of the plan of work and aligning actions
with biodiversity-related to biodiversity conservation and other MEAs.

8.2. Clearing-House Mechanism

The kingdom of Bahrain is the first country in the GCC region to establish its
Clearing-House Mechanism (CHM) in support of the implementation of the
Strategic Plan for Biodiversity (2011-2020). Bahrain CHM27 is conceived as a
virtual platform bringing together governmental entities, practitioners, scientists
and experts to monitor the state of biodiversity in the KoB (fig. 13). It is set as an
inter-operable system linking and directing the users to websites of all relevant
organizations in Bahrain with the following aims:

 Providing easy access to biodiversity information in Bahrain;

 Ensuring transparency in the implementation processes of the CBD
Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 and the advances towards
meeting the Aichi Biodiversity Targets;

27 http://bh.chm-cbd.net

86
  Showing the existing cooperation between government agencies and
national partners across all sectors to implement the NBSAP;
 Assisting users in finding all biodiversity related information; from theory
to practices;
 Forming a national and regional hub for practitioners and experts to
encourage global scientific cooperation;
 Communicating grassroots initiatives, EBM projects and on-going activities
on biodiversity conservation.

The CHM will be used for the coordination among the three levels of
coordination involving the NBSC, TTs and sub-national committees. The
rapporteurs and representative will be designated as authorized users to share
updates on merging issues and needs. The CBD-NFP and CHM-NFP will be the
responsible on the validation of all information shared through the CHM and
related to the NBSAP implementation.

87
 Database

Biodiversity
Maps
Information

Videos Directories

Information
services

Civil societies Roster of experts

movements and practitioners

Social National
networking Projects

Forums

Figure 13. Bahrain CHM information system (SCE, 2015).

88
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