期刊名称：The Open Environmental Pollution & Toxicology Journal
电子版ISSN：1876-3979
出版年度：2009
卷号：1
页码：34-42
DOI：10.2174/1876397900901010034
出版社：Bentham open
摘要：
The present status and future needs of four coral reef sites (Taba,
Nuweiba , Dahab and Sharm El-Sheikh) along the Gulf of Aqaba, Egypt
were evaluated. A total of 60 quadrats, distributed at different
depths or different patches were surveyed at each site during the
year 2007. Three mooring buoys were reported only in Ras Umm Seid
but nothing was found in other sites, however excessive boating
and diving pressure were recorded only in Ras Umm Seid. Highest
amount of garbage was recorded in Nuweiba, patrolling efficiency
was best in Taba but no patrolling activities were recorded in other
sites. Ras Umm Seid (Sharm El-Sheikh) had the highest amount of
dead corals (13%) due to increased boating and diving pressure compared
to other sites, however Dahab had the lowest amount of dead corals
(4%) due to the rough conditions (strong wind and waves) causing
difficulties in accessing that site. Nuweiba and Taba had high percent
cover of sands (10% and 11%, respectively) playing a key role in
the considerable amount of dead corals in both sites. Lowest % new
coral recruits in Taba (0.5%) was associated with the soft sandy
bottom, the opposite was true in Sharm El Sheikh due to the rocky
bottom. Future needs of the studied sites include decreasing the
number of divers to the diver carrying capacity (DCC), repair of
existing buoys and incorporation of 5 more buoys in Ras Umm Seid.
Other sites have no future needs in these regards as they are far
beyond the DCC. Nuweiba needs first of all to be cleaned, then being
protected for giving the chance of recovery. Except for Taba which
has efficient patrolling, the other 3 sites need efficient terrestrial
and marine patrolling as well as enforcement of EEAA regulations.
However reef access points which were absent in all sites need to
be established to minimize reef damage on accessing deeper water.
Also, the environmental awareness field signs which were absent
in all sites need to be established and managed. Taba is recommended
as a protected area as it has the food for threatened species beside
being useful as a nesting site. Ras Umm Seid is recommended to have
a established artificial reef to draw the attention of divers and
snorklers from the natural reefs and prepare artificial shelters
for fishes thus promoting the fish resources.
