Date of Award
1996
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Master of Science in Maritime Affairs
Specialization
General Maritime Administration & Environment Protection
Campus
Malmö, Sweden
Country
Bahrain
First Advisor
Pardo, Fernando.
Abstract
As the human population increases and industrialization expands and diversifies, the problem of the pollution of the environment becomes more critical. The seas and oceans, which cover over 70 % of the world's surface and offer one of man’s great hopes for future food supplies, are not exempt from the menace of pollution. Pollution problems mount as use of the sea for commerce grows with the ever increasing size and variety of cargo ships and tankers, with the use of the sea-bed for mineral extraction and the threat of oil pollution to the marine environment from deliberate or accidental release. This dissertation is a study of the various aspects of oil pollution in the Bahrain marine environment focusing on marine transportation. The purpose of this study falls into three areas. ~ The first purpose is to educate the people of Bahrain to understand their environment and how the various components of it depend on and react with each other. In this respect the importance of the marine environment on their daily activities and for future generations is emphasized. Also, the implication of oil pollution with regard to marine resources, the economy and public health is shown. This dissertation highlights the main and potential sources of oil pollution in and around Bahrain with emphasis on marine transportation. In addition, the national oil spill response capabilities are explored and analyzed. Furthermore, Bahrain legal system is examined to determine if it is capable of providing adequate and proper relief to the marine interests of the county. The deficiencies in the legal system as related to marine environment protection are outlined and discussed. Finally, proposals and recommendations are made to improve the safety of navigation and protection of the Bahrain marine environment.