Qatar National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan 2015-2025.

This National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan has been developed to update the 2004 NBSAP with the purpose to set out feasible, ambitious, targeted, specific and time bound targets that are in line with national priorities and that fit within the global action plan for biodiversity expressed in CBD’s 2011-2020 Strategic Plan for Biodiversity and its 20 Aichi targets and harmonizes them with recently developed national strategies including the Qatar Vision 2030 and the Qatar National Development Strategy 2011-2016. Strategic goals to be achieved by 2025 are (i) increased knowledge of current and future status of biodiversity; (ii) public participation in biodiversity conservation and increased interest and awareness; (iii) preservation of coastal ecosystems and sustainability of marine resources; (iv) preservation of key terrestrial biodiversity through effective management of protected areas; (v) having biodiversity conservation incorporated into national planning processes for a sustainable development; (vi) enhanced local capacity for biodiversity conservation; and (vii) protection of genetic resources and ensuring their equitable sharing.
The document adopts a twin-track approach coupling socio-economic benefits with the conservation of biodiversity and natural heritage, and developing science based policies for resource use and land use. For this purpose, main goals and challenges for the future is to (i) significantly change perceptions, attitudes and interest towards biodiversity, by involving all members of the society and actively engaging them in its conservation; (ii) develop and implement formal management plans at the terrestrial or marine protected areas; and (iii) protect the natural ecosystem, as well as humans, from the impacts of invasive species and genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and the loss of genetic resources, ensuring that the benefits arising from the use of genetic resources is equitably shared and accessible.
To make agriculture and fisheries more productive and sustainable, the NBSAP aims by 2025 to (i) ensure sustainable use of genetic resource and prevent genetic impoverishment by protecting native and endemic species and crops; (ii) adopt a number of measures targeted to manage and regulate activities affecting the marine environment, such as seasonal fishing closures, eliminating fisheries subsidies, new regulations on gear, catch quotas, incentives for fishermen to transition to marine tourism, educational programs and training for fishermen, and a moratorium on new fishing vessels; (iii) establish a fisheries observer program to monitor activities at sea; (iv) establish a well-staffed fish market inspection program; (v) develop a consumer awareness campaign on status of local fish and encouraging purchase of species fished in a sustainable manner; (vi) authorize a fisheries gear experimental study to examine the impacts and incidental catch levels of different types of gear; (vii) identify key areas that act as fish nurseries or spawning habitat for seasonal closures; (viii) develop a training program for fishermen on marine environment protection; (ix) require ASC certification (Aquaculture Stewardship Council) for all existing and new fish and shrimp farms; and (x) initiate feasibility study with the Marine Stewardship Council on certification of local fisheries.