Bahrain is launching a five-year action plan to revitalise the country's fisheries and marine environment.

The campaign, titled People and the Sea - From Directives to Action, will begin this month, Public Commission for the Protection of Marine Resources, Environment and Wildlife president Shaikh Abdulla bin Hamad Al Khalifa revealed yesterday.

He said the campaign, which would run until 2015, would involve rescuing habitats and creating fish farms to restock the natural fisheries.

The three-phase plan aims to rehabilitate stressed coral reefs in Bahrain's territorial waters, as well as creating artificial reefs to ensure fish grow in a safe, healthy natural habitat.

The campaign follows directives from His Majesty King Hamad to spread environmental awareness and protect marine resources as one of the main pillars of food security, said Shaikh Abdulla.

The first step will involve clearing fishing areas and coasts of silt created by reclamation and dredging, as well as cleaning the seabed of old fishing equipment and nets, along with other debris.

The second phase, due to start in the second quarter of next year, will involve planting artificial reefs in specific zones.

The third phase will start in the second half of 2012 and will involve creating fish breeding farms, to replenish stocks in the sea.

Shaikh Abdulla urged all concerned to work together to make the campaign a success.-TradeArabia News Service