Status of Coral Reefs of the World 2000

Regional Status of Coral Reefs in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden
Habitat Destruction
Extensive coastal development, including dredging and filling, is destroying large tracts of
coral reefs in Saudi Arabia (particularly around major urban centers along the Red Sea and
in the Gulf), Egypt (around the Sinai and Hurghada), and parts of the Yemen coastline. Reef
destruction also occurs in Egypt, Sudan and Djibouti through ship groundings, and from
anchor and flipper damage by recreational divers. Urban, industrial and port development
causes damage, because there is inadequate environmental planning, and few or no
environmental assessments. Sedimentation invariably results from poor construction,
dredging and land reclamation. There is a lack of management awareness, and enforcement of
regulations, which often results in physical damage to coral reefs through ignorance or neglect.
Industrial Activities
Chronic industrial pollution has reduced water quality in Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and
major port areas in Sudan. This includes the discharge of untreated oily wastes from
refineries in Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Sudan, and sewage and phosphate ore washing are
principal caused of nutrient enrichment along the Egyptian and Jordanian coastlines. Rarely
is sewage treated in the region, and most is discharged into the intertidal zones.
Considerable solid wastes such as plastics and metal drums are dumped into the sea from
urban areas and passing ships, particularly near the Suez Canal and passing trough the
Straits of Bab al Mandab and major ports (Aden, Port Sudan, Suakin, Jeddah, Hurghada,
Suez). Other major sources of pollution in Sudan are from a power station in inner Port
Sudan harbour and carbon residues from a tyre manufacturer.
Oil and other Hydrocarbons
Threats comes from both exploration and transport; millions of tonnes of oil pass through
the region. There have been more than 20 oil spills along the Egyptian Red Sea since 1982,
which have smothered and poisoned corals and other organisms. Likewise many oil spills
have affected the Saudi Arabian Gulf coast, and lesser portions of the Yemeni and
Sudanese coasts. There is regular oil leakage from terminals and tankers in Port Sudan
harbour and elsewhere, and also from ballast and bilge water discharges. Seismic blasts
during oil exploration also threatens coral reefs. Virtually no ports have waste reception
facilities and the problem will continue because of a lack of enforcement of existing
regulations. There is inadequate control and monitoring of procedures, equipment and
personnel and training, and the potential is always there for catastrophic oil spills, but there
are no mechanisms to contain and clean such spills.
Maritime Transport
Major shipping routes run close to coral reefs, e.g. about 16,000 ships pass through the
Strait of Bab al-Mandab each year, and 25,000 to 30,000 ships transit the Red Sea annually.
Apart from ship-related pollution (e.g. discharges of garbage and oily wastes; bunkering
activities), these ships often hit reefs and the reefs are regarded as navigation hazards,
particularly near the ports of Djibouti, Jeddah, Port Sudan and Suakin, where ships pass
through narrow, unmarked channels among large reef complexes. Sewage and discharges
of solid waste pose additional threats. There are poor navigational control systems, and a
lack of suitable moorings throughout the region.
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