Stop marine pollution – residents

Residents of the East Coast have urged the federal and local governments to intensify efforts to stop marine pollution caused by passing vessels and to protect the country's beaches.

Several minor oil slicks have polluted the waters of Al Aqah area and the beaches of East Coast in the last two days, turning golden sands to black because of the oily waste that has drifted to the seashore. Oil traces stretched more than one kilometre and were spotted offshore in a 150-metre area along the Al Aqah beach.

There are several major hotels along the beach, and plans are underway for more five-star hotels and resorts to be built in the area soon.

Hotel managers, tourism experts and national fishermen have asked the authorities to take strict measures against these vessels that are affecting their business. For two days, fishermen could not set sail fearing their boats and nets would be damaged. Fish have started dying or disappearing from the area.

"It is not the first time that our beaches have faced oil slicks and it will not be the last if effective steps are not taken. Our beaches are used to dump waste by some careless tankers and oil vessels," said Abdullah Haroun, one of the many national fishermen in Al Bidya village hurt by the pollution.

"We cannot bear more losses because of this and the authorities should look seriously into the issue."

Joseph Abu Deeb, director of the Sandy Beach Motel in Al Aqah, told Gulf News that the problem started a few days ago, and the management had to close the beach and stop its guests from swimming.

"Our business was badly affected as some guests did not like it because they basically come here to enjoy the sea and diving." Though the Dibba-Al Fujairah municipal body, he said, has cleaned the polluted beaches, it could not clear oil in the absence of proper equipment.

"These oil slicks also affect the corals in our area, especially reefs, which attract a large number of tourists, divers and snork-elers who use our diving centre," Abu Deeb said. Several reservations have been cancelled as a result, he said.

Other guests have asked for compensation because they could not swim. "Serious efforts should be made by the UAE and other GCC countries asking the passing vessels to explain how they dispose of their waste."

Mattar Saleh Al Kaabi, director of Dibba-Al Fujairah municipality, said that although they cleaned the affected beaches, the problem still exists, mainly in East Coast.

"For the last five years, authorities have been discussing establishing a major centre or reception facility at Fujairah port to treat these pollutants dumped by violating vessels to avoid charges," Al Kaabi said.

Vessels passing the region will get a certificate for safe and legal disposal of their sludge and other oily waste instead of dumping them into the sea, once the centre is in place.

Two such private facilities were established on Fujairah Port and Khor Fakkan Seaport, but both have limited capacity and a bigger centre is needed to cope with sea traffic, he said.

Patrick Antaki, a tourism expert, said Al Aqah should be protected as it is promoting tourism in the emirate. "It has a charming location and since the government is keen to promote tourism, serious efforts should be made."

The problem can be resolved if all the GCC countries implement strict laws. "Municipalities should also acquire modern equipment to stop oil from spreading before it reaches the seabed."

Otherwise each hotel, he said, will need around Dh350,000 to ensure pollution-free beaches. It will cost the government about Dh25,000 to clean beaches if the help of private marine-cleaning companies is used.

"The measure will affect hotel business. This does not happen in advanced countries where a specialised government authority deals with marine pollutions and other environmental issues."