Explosives, toxic substances banned for hunting marine wildlife

The revised executive regulations for sustainable management of the marine and coastal environment in Riyadh impose penalties of up to SR5 million for failing to contain leaks in the marine and coastal environment. These regulations aim to protect marine ecosystems and strengthen environmental compliance. Hunting marine wildlife using explosives, toxic substances, or narcotics is explicitly prohibited, as is hunting endangered or prohibited marine wildlife, including their products and derivatives.

Under certain circumstances, competent authorities may engage in such activities under valid licenses. The regulations also ban the use of prohibited fishing methods, disposal of fishing gear in the marine environment, and dropping anchors in unauthorized locations, particularly in sensitive habitats like coral reefs and seagrass beds.

Six activities require an environmental permit, including marine and coastal tourism, transportation and ports, traditional and renewable monitoring activities, discharge of treated wastewater, coastal mining, and construction of marine vessel mooring facilities. The regulations require reporting incidents such as oil spills, leaks of harmful substances, loss of cargo, environmental impact incidents, or violations of the law to the National Center for Environmental Compliance.

They prohibit introducing invasive species, destroying or damaging wildlife habitats and breeding grounds, including coral reefs, turtle nesting areas, seabird colonies, and aquatic life nurseries. The regulations mandate immediate return of accidentally caught endangered or protected wildlife species and reporting any death or injury to relevant authorities.

Additionally, they require taking measures to prevent capture, stranding, or harming of marine and coastal organisms, as well as adhering to designated breeding, nesting, and growth seasons for fishing activities.