Dredging and land reclamation in coastal and marine areas in West Asia intensified during the year, particularly in GCC countries. These activities were due to development of recreational facilities to meet growing tourism, urbanization and population increase characterized by migration to coastal areas. An emerging trend of large-scale land reclamation to boost economic growth is now evident in some parts of the region. This rapid rate of development in coastal areas, especially in the Gulf region, was the most striking development in West Asia other than war. However, concerns have been expressed that some of these developments may put pressure on the environment as well as existing infrastructure. Major environmental effects of dredging and in-filling include direct loss of often highly productive shallow-water habitat; and sedimentation, leading to degradation particularly of coral reefs, seagrass, and macroalgal beds.