Some info about marine conservation efforts (from world conservation union site):
"IUCN join African Parks Foundation and the Federal Government of Sudan on expedition to assess Sudan’s two Marine Protected Areas
03 July, 2006
An expedition was launched by the African Parks Foundation on June 18th to assess the biodiversity of the two Sudanese Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) - Sanganeb atoll and Dungonab Bay and Mukkawar Island - and to analyse the impacts on them, both natural and anthropogenic (human-induced). The work will establish the first baselines of the status of fauna and flora, and will initiate a long-term monitoring programme for the Marine Park staff. The expedition will also involve photograph and video recording to develop a photographic library for the Parks. IUCN is providing technical expertise in the coral reef surveys and fish species assessments, as well as advice on MPA management and long term monitoring. Monitoring and assessment of MPAs is a central strategy in IUCN’s approach to marine conservation.
Sanganeb is the only atoll in the Red Sea and is a 6x1 km offshore coral reef MPA. Dungonab Bay and Mukkawar Island MPA is a 3000 km2 coastal zone with an extensive mosaic of different habitats such as coral reefs, mangrove forests, seagrass beds and islands. The coral reefs of Sudan are in very good condition with cover up to 80%. Large animals such as dugongs, whale sharks, mantas, hammerheads and turtles abound. The islands within the parks are internationally significant breeding areas for turtles and seabirds."
Link to the African Parks weblog of the expedition:
http://www.africanparks-conservation.com/sudan-expedition.php
Link to TV-clip about the expedition (it's in dutch, a few parts in english):
http://www.tweevandaag.com/index.php?module=PX_Story&func=view&cid=2&sid=30847
"IUCN join African Parks Foundation and the Federal Government of Sudan on expedition to assess Sudan’s two Marine Protected Areas
03 July, 2006
An expedition was launched by the African Parks Foundation on June 18th to assess the biodiversity of the two Sudanese Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) - Sanganeb atoll and Dungonab Bay and Mukkawar Island - and to analyse the impacts on them, both natural and anthropogenic (human-induced). The work will establish the first baselines of the status of fauna and flora, and will initiate a long-term monitoring programme for the Marine Park staff. The expedition will also involve photograph and video recording to develop a photographic library for the Parks. IUCN is providing technical expertise in the coral reef surveys and fish species assessments, as well as advice on MPA management and long term monitoring. Monitoring and assessment of MPAs is a central strategy in IUCN’s approach to marine conservation.
Sanganeb is the only atoll in the Red Sea and is a 6x1 km offshore coral reef MPA. Dungonab Bay and Mukkawar Island MPA is a 3000 km2 coastal zone with an extensive mosaic of different habitats such as coral reefs, mangrove forests, seagrass beds and islands. The coral reefs of Sudan are in very good condition with cover up to 80%. Large animals such as dugongs, whale sharks, mantas, hammerheads and turtles abound. The islands within the parks are internationally significant breeding areas for turtles and seabirds."
Link to the African Parks weblog of the expedition:
http://www.africanparks-conservation.com/sudan-expedition.php
Link to TV-clip about the expedition (it's in dutch, a few parts in english):
http://www.tweevandaag.com/index.php?module=PX_Story&func=view&cid=2&sid=30847
