Benthic surveys of the historic pearl oyster beds of Qatar reveal a dramatic ecological change.
The study aimed to confirm the presence of historic oyster banks of Qatar and code the biotopes present. The research also collated historical records and scientific publications to create a timeline of fishery activity. The oyster banks where once an extremely productive economic resource however, intense overfishing, extreme environmental conditions and anthropogenic impacts caused a fishery collapse. The timeline highlighted the vulnerability of ecosystem engineering bivalves if overexploited. The current status of the oyster banks meant only one site could be described as oyster dominant. This was unexpected as the sites were located in areas which once supported a highly productive oyster fishery. The research revealed the devastating effect that anthropogenic impacts can have on a relatively robust marine habitat like an oyster bed and it is hoped these findings will act as a driver to investigate and map other vulnerable habitats within the region before they too become compromised.
Environmental Studies Center (ESC), Qatar University (QA), Doha, P.O. Box 2713, Qatar. Electronic address: dsmyth@qu.edu.qa.
D
D
Smyth
Environmental Studies Center (ESC), Qatar University (QA), Doha, P.O. Box 2713, Qatar. Electronic address: almaslamani@qu.edu.qa.
I
I
Al-Maslamani
Environmental Studies Center (ESC), Qatar University (QA), Doha, P.O. Box 2713, Qatar. Electronic address: mchatting@qu.edu.qa.
M
M
Chatting
Environmental Studies Center (ESC), Qatar University (QA), Doha, P.O. Box 2713, Qatar. Electronic address: bweltergiraldes@qu.edu.qa.
B
B
Giraldes
D000818:Animals; D017753:Ecosystem; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D005398:Fisheries; D019156:Indian Ocean; D049911:Pinctada / Q000254:growth & development*; D011780:Qatar; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014876:Water Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis
Anthropogenic disturbance; Arabian Gulf; Marine biotope classification; Overfishing; Pearl oyster; Pinctada radiata