(MENAFN - Arab News) While Jeddah beaches' pollution levels exceed global rates, a new study showed the environmental violations of government departments are the reason for 80 percent of the pollution of coasts as a result of violating environmental instructions while having no efficient control.
The study that was conducted on behalf of the Presidency of Meteorology and Environment (PME) stated all Jeddah beaches are polluted in different degrees, with the area stretching between northern Abhur Bay and the 30-kilometer area to the south, where swimming is prohibited, is extremely polluted.
The study showed vacationers and fishermen impact on the environment (pollution) does not exceed 10 percent. The process to tackle environment problems in Jeddah coast would take 15 to 20 years, according to the study.
Human intervention or through letting the nature repair itself could solve the problem, especially to deal with the the discharge of petroleum and chemical wastes into the sea by factories or ships, as well as waste water. All discharge points in the sea have to be closed, the study recommended.
The study also said that 94 percent of Jeddah's seafront is owned by government and private entities. This fact has increased the volume of investment projects on the coast without conducting necessary studies to assess environmental effects before execution. The less than 6 percent remaining area is polluted and dangerous and not suitable for swimming.
The effects of petroleum and waste water (sewage water) pollution include the death of different marine animals during different times of the year, some fish are infected with bacteria, which threatens food security, poisonous substances are accumulated in the tissues of marine animals, a large percentage of coral reefs is destroyed in addition to the facts bad smells in several important locations and several coastal areas are unfit for fishing, swimming or diving.
Pollution caused an acute shortage in marine natural resources.
