Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa issued on Wednesday law number 20 for 2006, regarding the protection of beaches, coasts and sea outlets. According to BNA, the new law forbids any exploitation or transfer of ownership of public beaches, coasts and sea outlets overlooked by towns and villages unless authorized by a decree.
It also bans granting licenses for coasts reclamation, unless for the public benefit, and provided that the cabinet issues a decision securing alternative outlets for coastal villages and towns upon on a proposal by the concerned minister . According to the law, any violator of the above provisions shall be forced by the concerned minister to correct the situation at his own expenses without detriment to any other punishment stipulated by the penal law or any other law, be it imprisonment or a fine not exceeding BD 5000 in case of breach of clause 4 of the law.
