Royal Decree and the Implementing Regulation No. M/12 concerning the marine scientific research regulations in marine territories of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

This Decree is composed of 19 articles and the application Form. This Regulation shall be applied to all territorial sea both in the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf (art. 1). Terms and definition (art. 2). Marine scientific research regulation, licensing, processing and controlling in the territorial sea are the sole right of the Kingdom and shall be authorized in accordance with provisions of this Decree (art. 3). No research by using deep drilling over the continental shelf; explosives; introduction of items harmful to the marine environment; construction of artificial islands or permanent installation or facilities...etc (art. 4). License application and validity (art. 5). The license application shall include information about the applicant, place of work, foreign parties, the agency responsible of the project, fund sources , project nature, programme, objectives, completion period, scientific and technical methods and a scientific study of EIA (art. 6). The scientific research and related activities shall be under the supervision of inspectors elected by the pertinent authority (art. 12). Offences and penalties (art. 15). The Ministry of Defence and Aviation shall issue the implementing regulation of this Decree (art. 17).