Coastal Systems Coastal systems in the region are under threat from pollution and development, resulting in the deterioration of fish populations in some countries. No scenarios suggest that projected changes in sea level will have significant effects on the region as a whole. The major pressures on them will be related to development rather than the direct result of climate change. Many countries in the region are major oil producers. Oil production is mostly land-based and is not as vulnerable to the impacts of climate change as offshore oil production in other regions.
Coastal pollution is a major problem in some countries of the Middle East.
Overfishing and marine pollution have led to a decrease in fish catches.