Red Sea and Gulf of Aden: an introduction
Dr. Ziad Abu-Ghararah, PERSGA Secretary General
In geological terms the Red Sea is a young ocean. Created
through separation of the Arabian plate from Africa, and located
in a predominantly arid latitudinal zone, a unique and wonderful
biodiversity has evolved. The region supports world renowned
coral reefs, lush mangroves and fertile seagrass beds. It
is home to endemic species of seabirds, reef fish and invertebrates.
Concern for the welfare of this beauty and the natural resources
of the region can be traced back to 1974 when the Arab League
Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO)
initiated a Programme for the region. In 1982 the plenipotentiaries
of the governments in the region signed the Regional Convention
for the Conservation of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden Environment,
otherwise known as the Jeddah Convention, together with its
associated Protocol. The main focus of the Convention is the
prevention, reduction and fight against pollution. In accordance
with the Convention, a new Secretariat, the Regional Organization
for the Conservation of the Environment of the Red Sea and
Gulf of Aden (PERSGA) was formally announced in 1995 with
the headquarters in Jeddah.
From 1999 to 2003 PERSGA was the executing agency for the
Strategic Action Programme for the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden,
funded through the GEF, implementing agencies (UNDP, UNEP,
and the World Bank), the Islamic Development Bank, and the
PERSGA member states. This Programme has provided a framework
for long-term conservation and management of coastal and marine
resources. Guided by a Regional Task Force and Working Groups
consisting of expert representatives from each of the PERSGA
member state, the Programme has integrated several complementary
components such as: the reduction of navigation risks and
marine pollution; sustainable use and management of living
marine resources; habitat and biodiversity conservation; development
of a Regional Network of Marine Protected Areas; support for
Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM); and the enhancement
of public awareness and participation.
Recent achievements have seen: a new vessel traffic separation
scheme put into operation in the southern Red Sea with the
approval of IMO; a regionally standardized system for the
collection of fisheries data has been prepared and two regional
training centres have been established to promote the sustainable
use of transboundary fisheries stocks through cooperative
management; surveys have been carried out to assess the regional
status of mangroves, turtles and breeding seabirds and Regional
Action Plans developed for their future conservation; and
public awareness and community participation through school
environmental clubs have been established within the region.
PERSGA has also prepared a Regional Programme of Action for
the Prevention of Pollution from Land-based Activities and
is executing two National Programmes of Action.
Future activities include: a Regional Environmental Monitoring
Programme in cooperation with the Coordinating Unit of the
Mediterranean Action Plan and the International Atomic Energy
Agency, Marine Environment Laboratory (IAEA/MEL); a Regional
Marine Emergency Mutual Aid Centre (MEMAC) is being established
in Hurghada to coordinate activities in the event of oil spills
and a Contingency Planning Action Plan is being put into effect;
steps have been taken towards the creation of a Regional Commission
for Fisheries; and a network of Marine Protected Areas is
being created throughout the region.
A draft Protocol Concerning the Conservation of Biological
Diversity and the Establishment of Protected Areas and a draft
Protocol on the Protection of the Marine Environment from
Land-based Sources of Pollution in the Red Sea and Gulf of
Aden have been sent to member states for review.
PERSGA has prepared a new strategy and vision for the future
underpinned by the Rio Declaration and the Millennium Development
Goals. This new policy seeks to build partnerships that will
support continued conservation efforts in the region leading
to sustainable development and poverty alleviation.
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