NEW STANDARDS FOR MITIGATING DREDGING IMPACTS IN SENSITIVE HABITATS IN SAUDI ARABIA

Abstract

We propose a systematic approach to monitoring and managing dredge operations based on industry best practice advice, tailored to the specific conditions in the Red Sea, including the following key elements: 1) Relocation of corals from the direct dredging footprint, 2) Development of a site and project-specific dredging environmental management plan, 3) Undertaking turbidity and coral monitoring, 4) Turbidity plume hindcast and forecast, 5) Adaptive management involving all key project stakeholders. The paper lists the above key elements and presents a case study from Sindalah Island where the system was successfully applied – the first time such an approach has been implemented in the Middle East region.