Kingdom of Bahrain Portal for Sustainable Development Goals

Goal Fourteen: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development

The world’s oceans – their temperature, chemistry, currents and life – drive global systems that make the Earth habitable for humankind. Our rainwater, drinking water, weather, climate, coastlines, much of our food, and even the oxygen in the air we breathe, are all ultimately provided and regulated by the sea. Throughout history, oceans and seas have been vital conduits for trade and transportation. Careful management of this essential global resource is a key feature of a sustainable future.

Overview of some indicators

Proportion of fish stocks within biologically sustainable levels

12%

Coverage of protected areas in relation to marine areas

20.8%

Indicators

Target 14.1: By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution
- Indicator 14.1.1: Index of coastal eutrophication and floating plastic debris density
Target 14.2: By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans
- Indicator 14.2.1: Proportion of national exclusive economic zones managed using ecosystem-based approaches
Target 14.3: Minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification, including through enhanced scientific cooperation at all levels
- Indicator 14.3.1: Average marine acidity (pH) measured at agreed suite of representative sampling stations (Excel, 0.10MB, 1 Sheet)
Target 14.4: By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible, at least to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics
- Indicator 14.4.1: Proportion of fish stocks within biologically sustainable levels (Excel, 0.01MB, 1 Sheet)
Target 14.5: By 2020, conserve at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national and international law and based on the best available scientific information
- Indicator 14.5.1: Coverage of protected areas in relation to marine areas (Excel, 0.11MB, 1 Sheet)
Target 14.6: By 2020, prohibit certain forms of fisheries subsidies which contribute to overcapacity and overfishing, eliminate subsidies that contribute to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and refrain from introducing new such subsidies, recognizing that appropriate and effective special and differential treatment for developing and least developed countries should be an integral part of the World Trade Organization fisheries subsidies negotiation
- Indicator 14.6.1: Progress by countries in the degree of implementation of international instruments aiming to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing
Target 14.7: By 2030, increase the economic benefits to Small Island developing States and least developed countries from the sustainable use of marine resources, including through sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism
- Indicator 14.7.1: Sustainable fisheries as a proportion of GDP in small island developing States, least developed countries and all countries (Excel, 0.10MB, 1 Sheet)
Target 14.a: Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries
- Indicator 14.a.1: Proportion of total research budget allocated to research in the field of marine technology
Target 14.b: Provide access for small- scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets
- Indicator 14.b.1: Progress by countries in the degree of application of a legal/regulatory/policy/institutional framework which recognizes and protects access rights for small-scale fisheries
Target 14.c: Enhance the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing law as reflected in UNCLOS, which provides the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources, as recalled in paragraph 158 of The Future We Want.
- Indicator 14.c.1: Number of countries making progress in ratifying, accepting and implementing through legal, policy and institutional frameworks, ocean-related instruments that implement international law, as reflected in the United Nation Convention on the Law of the Sea, for the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans and their resources

Policies & initiatives support the goal

Legislative Protection

The Environment Law No. (7) for the year 2022 aims to protect the environment and its sources from all activities and practices causing pollution. Furthermore, under Bahrain’s national CITES legislation Law No. (5) of 2021, the Kingdom introduced licensing programs for endangered wild species that contribute to combating their smuggling and trafficking, in cooperation with the security services and customs at land, sea, and air borders, in addition to strengthening the control program on markets and land and sea environments. Bahrain has seven protected areas (six of which are marine areas) considered important to marine life, including Najwat Bulthama; one of Bahrain’s most vibrant coral beds. Seasonal fishing was introduced for certain species of fish and shellfish to protect their population numbers. Bahrain has protected several species of fish from the threat of fishing and unlawful capture such as dolphins and some species of sharks.

Marine Biodiversity

Marine Biodiversity The Kingdom of Bahrain announced, in 2021, its commitment to quadruple the mangrove coverage across coastal areas by the year 2035, part of its plan to achieve net-zero by 2060 and preserve marine life. In June 2023, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Prime Minister announced the doubling of the previously announced target of planting 230,000 mangroves in 2023 to 460,000, in an effort to further accelerate the plans. In 2022, Bahrain successfully planted 110,000 mangroves. Efforts have continued throughout 2023, with the 100,000-mangrove seeding planted in May.

Stakeholders

References

Goal One: End poverty in all its forms everywhere

Goal Two: End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture

Goal Three: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all age

Goal Four: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all

Goal Five: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls

Goal Six: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all

Goal Seven: Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all

Goal Eight: Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all

Goal Nine: Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation

Goal Ten: Reduce inequality within and among countries

Goal Eleven: Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable

Goal Twelve:Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns

Goal Thirteen: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts[b]

Goal Fourteen: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development

Goal Fifteen: Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss

Goal Sixteen: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels

Goal Seventeen: Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development

Page Last Updated: 12 March, 2025