A leading international marine expert has called for tighter controls and regulation of the Middle East’s maritime environment.

Professor Chris Hopkins, Founder of Sweden’s AquaMarine Advisers, advocates the adoption of “locally relevant, area-based management of marine ecosystems by setting goals and limits for environmental and ecological quality in the Middle East.”
Hopkins, who is also chairman of the SeaCult Knowledge Committee, says strategies for the sustainable use of the ocean must be put in place.
“We must comprehensively develop our capacity to create … long-term multi-disciplinary solutions involving sustainable use of the sea, while also resolving the interests of a wide range of industries and stakeholders,” he said.
Hopkins was speaking in advance of his scheduled address at Waterfront 2005 Dubai — the ground-breaking conference and exhibition on the future of the Middle East’s coastline development to be held in Dubai in May.
Hopkins will address the audience of waterfront inves-tors, real estate developers, planners, architects, designers and academics, on ‘Quality and sustainability: the importance of getting it right’.