Saudi Maritime Policy (Routledge Studies in Middle Eastern Politics)

Because marine governance in most countries is sectoral, maritime policies are frequently fragmented, reactive, and even contradictory, meaning that marine resources are underutilized and poorly protected. To avoid these problems, the concept of integrated national maritime policy (INMP) has been developed. This book examines this concept, analysing its current application in four countries – Australia, Canada, UK and USA – whilst discussing at length how it might be applied to Saudi Arabia.

Based on extensive fieldwork carried out in Saudi Arabia – including interviews with officials in government departments with maritime responsibilities, and a survey administered to 230 stakeholders – the book offers a unique insight into INMP in the Kingdom. The book provides a practical template for developing the political will and civil constituency in Saudi Arabia necessary for the introduction of INMP. In setting out in detail its benefits, this book could help build the momentum in Saudi Arabia required to implement the concept as well as attract other countries to do the same. A significant contribution to the growing literature on ocean governance, this book will be of great importance to policy makers and scholars of Middle Eastern studies, marine governance and comparative politics.

Hatim Al-Bisher is a Senior Naval officer in the Saudi Border Guard, whose research interests lie in maritime security, economic, environmental, and marine governance. An expert in Saudi search and rescue (SAR) strategy and maritime policy, he established the first rescue co-ordination centre in Saudi Arabia and wrote their first SAR manual.

Selina Stead is Professor of Marine Governance and Environmental Science in the School of Marine Science and Technology at Newcastle University. A Ministerial-Appointed Defra Scientific Fisheries Adviser for North Eastern Sea Fisheries Committee, her research focuses on coastal governance and marine resource management issues.

Tim Gray is Emeritus Professor of Political Thought and Senior Research Investigator in Politics at the School of Geography, Politics and Sociology at Newcastle University. His research interests include political thought, environmental politics, fisheries politics, and marine governance with special reference to marine protected areas.