Red Sea Protectorates

Red Sea Governorates protectorates covering 42000 KM ² equal to 42 %of all the Egyptian protectorates. The total area of Red Sea Protectorates about 21% of the Governorate total area

desert plant	indangered spices	swore watermelon	desert fox

                    

1- Elba protectorates

declared by  prime ministerial decree   No 450 for 1986 and modified by decree  No 642 for 1995 . Elba Protectorates consists of

1-     Red Sea Islands Protectorate ( 22 islands) & MANGROVE  ( 34  stands)

2-     Elba Protectorate

3-     Abrak protectorate

4-     Al Doieb protectorate

Location: Southeast corner of the Eastern Desert of Egypt. 
  Area: 35,600 km2 
 Type: Natural Reserve, National Park Year of establishment:  1985  
                
Objective: Protecting the unique habitat and rich biodiversity. 

Geographical aspects:

The Elba Protected area is an extensive and complex area comprising a number of ecosystems: The mangroves of the Red Sea, the Red Sea 22 islands, coral reefs, coastal sand dunes, coastal salt marshes, coastal desert plains and a cluster of coastal mountains (Jabal Elba, Jabal abraq and Al Daeeb). Jabal Elba is the single igneous mountain rising up to 1437m . Its summit is a "mist oasis" where a considerable part of precipitation is contributed in the form of dew or mist and clouds, creating unique and rare ecosystem not found anywhere else in Egypt .

Flora:
The abundance of moisture allows an exceptionally diverse flora to exist. Some 458 species are known in the reserve. Ferns, mosses and succulents are fairly common in the mist zone at higher altitudes. Biscutella elbensis is endemic to Gebel Elba. At lower altitudes, in mountain wadis and foothills, there is dense parkland dominated by Acacia tortilis, Delonix elata, Aerva persica and Euphorbia cuneata . Salt-marsh vegetation and mangrove swamps fringe long stretches of the coast .

Fauna: 
Jabal Elba supports a rich faunal diversity unparalleled in any other desert environment in Egypt . Forty species of birds, several of these are Afro-tropical, Ostrich Struthio camelus and Lappet face Vulture Torgos tracheliotus are still found in the Gebel Elba area though they have disappeared from most of their former North Africa/Middle-eastern range. Twenty three species of mammals including the endangered sea cow Dugong dugon, thirty species of reptiles and only one amphibian species

MANGROVE SWAMPS

The mangrove tree is the nursery of the Red Sea. There are two species of mangrove on Egypt’s Red Sea coast - Avicenna marina and rhizophor amucronata - and both rely on a complex root system to soak up and desalinate seawater. The mangrove’s unique roots grow straight up from the ground, through the water, and into the air above the water line. All around the tree, the roots form a warm-water maze of tiny paths and tunnels that make a safe home for 35 species of young fish and other sea life. Without this vital habitat, the juvenile fish would never grow to be adults and the entire Red Sea fishery would be impacted.

Local fishermen often set up camp among the trees and use mangrove wood in their campfires. Bedouin herders allow their camels to graze on mangrove roots. For many years, these groups have used the mangroves sustainable, but as these established activities are combined with the growing pressure of tourism and development, the mangrove is slowly being pushed beyond its breaking point. Recent surveys have found that garbage tangled among the trees is one of the worst new offenders, choking off roots as well as young fish. Mangrove stands, which can range from just a

Efforts are underway to protect the mangroves. Signs marking the coastal stands have been erected to raise awareness of the trees’ location and importance. The Red Sea Rangers are supporting plans to define core buffer zones as the next step in mangrove protection. The Rangers also believe flood paths, which provide the trees with much-needed influxes of fresh water, should be part of any protected mangrove areas. Special regulations for fishing around mangroves are already in place, and more should be considered. Proper garbage collection and dumps are of key importance, and any future development activities must take into account the sensitivity of this vital ecosystem.

Wadi  el Gemal  National park

Date of Announcement : 2003

Area : 7450 Km2

Type : Desert protected area

WGNP encompasses a great diversity of habitats in a uniquely compact setting representing a complet terrestrial & marine ecosystem characteristic of the Red Sea coast , the region is of phenomenal natural beauty and outstanding biological diversity. The coral reefs of the WGNP are amongst the best and most diverse in the Egyptian Red sea, and are home to a great diversity of fish and marine invertebrates . They have enormous economic value, providing the basis for international tourism activities and sustain locally important.

WGNP includes a significant proportion of the mangrove resources of Egypt. At Hamata, thickets of Avicenna marina extends for 12 km in a semi – continuous fringe, and from important nurseries for economically important fish and nesting sites for many of the region's water birds. Substantial sea grass beds provide food for the threatened green Turtle, chelonia mydas and Dugong, Dugong dugon. At least two species of marine turtles nest on islands, as well as on the mainland coast in the National park, where some of the country's most important turtle nesting are found.

The interior of the National park is a complex pristine mountain wilderness, inhabited by a diversity of wildlife including several endangered species, and representing an enormous resource for ecotourism activities. The wadi el – Gemal watershed at 1476.7 km2 is one of the largest drainage basins in the Eastern Desert. It is perhaps the best – vegetated wadi the Eastern Desert, encompassing dense groves of Tamarix sP., Balanites aegyptiaca, Salvadora persica, and Acacia tortilis, representing a unique relict of sahalian vegetation. Table 1 gives an idea of the taxonomic groups that have been recorded in WGNP.there are 20 globally threatened species known from WGNP, the most significant of these ( i.e. species for which WGNPcan make an important contribution towards their global conservation) are: Marine turtles; Dugong; white- eyed Gull, Larus leucophthalmus, Dorcas Gazelle, Gazella dorcas, and Barbary sheep , Ammotragus lervia.

People belonging to the Ababda Tribe, who still practice a traditional lifestyle largely in harmony with their environment, inhabit the area. The area has many archaeological sites along important historic trade routes linking the Red Sea with the Nile Valley. Natural systems are still intact and development in the area is still at its infancy, but is expected to pick up pace in the near future. Mining and quarrying are relatively widespread activities, and there are several inactive gold and emerald mines scattered throughout the area.

The WGNP declaration came within the framework of Egypt's declared protected Area system plan, and during a period when public and professional concerns about the future status of natural resources near the Red sea have increased. There was some urgency to establish a conservation framework for the resources that would ensure their long – term sustainability.                

desert plant	endangered spices	turtle

 

The Dolphin House

A few years ago, divers discovered a unique coral reef, south of Marsa Alam town, known to local fishermen as Samadi Reef (28.98 11°N, 34.99718 E), where young and adult Spinner Dolphins Stenella longirostris regularly congregate in large numbers (˜ 80). Samadi Dolphin House”. Since its discovery became a magnet to tourists, and it was visited by increasingly large numbers of snorkelers and divers. In response to this increased pressure, arrangements were made by

the Nature Conservation Sector (NCS) and a local diving center to install moorings at the site, and to cap the maximum number of boats and visitors. The diving centre was given In August 2003, it was found that the site was vastly over used with up to 40 boats and 800 tourists visiting daily. Dolphins were chased, fed strange items, touched and disturbed by motor boats. It was also found that the number of dolphins has decreased  remarkably to less than 40, and disappeared completely from the area when one of the boats was set on fire. A decree was issued  applying a management plan that  focused on: establishing a zoning plan for the area, creating a restricted zone for dolphins only ; defined times of use for visitors ; developed best practices guidelines; implemented a monitoring program; and initiated a service fee system. In conjunction with this it strengthened the law enforcement process; and implemented a public awareness program..

Sustainability of this best practice was apparent after one year. The overall average of 32 dolphins / day before the plan implementation increased to 78 dolphins / day after implementation. The monitoring programme also indicated an increase in the growth of coral reefs in the site, as well as improved our knowledge of Spinner Dolphin behavior . The number of visitors was within the carrying capacity of the site (200 individuals / day). Additionally the revenue s generated from the service fee system exceeded US $ 500,000 in one year. The income is shared between NCS, the Red Sea Governorate and local NGO’s. These proceedings were used to maintain the site and improve its conservation. In response, the local tourism business has improved greatly

 Marin protectorates

39 islands , 27 of these islands are protectorates and mostly famous :