From: Biniam Haile \(SWE\) (eritrea.lave@comhem.se)
Date: Thu Apr 16 2009 - 16:39:45 EDT
Thursday, April 16, 2009
The Marine and Coastal biodiversity
Monday, 02 July 2007
The Eritrean marine and coastal environment is characterized by an array
of diversified ecosystems: coral reefs, mangroves, sea grass beds, sandy
and muddy flats, all important for fisheries activities and offering a
significant tourism potential. The intertidal and near-shore zones
support a diverse range of marine and terrestrial species and are key
areas of ecological and economic importance.
The Eritrean coastal area is best known as a highly favourable
ecosystem for the development of fisheries. Essential reef areas,
extensive surface and numerous shelters of the Dahlak archipelago
plateau and aggregates of islands contribute to the prospect of a
prosperous fishery. Despite the few researches conducted, more than 600
species of fish have been recorded in the Eritrean Red Sea.
Compilation of scientific surveys identified 154 species belonging to 38
genera of stony corals (Scleractinians). Eritrea's coastal waters have
favourable climatic condition for reef growth with warm waters and low
rainfall. Coral reefs formation along the islands coastlines are in good
conditions whereas reefs along the mainland coastline are less developed
mainly due to sedimentation from the rivers runoff.
The Eritrean marine environment was not studied and little used for the
past 3 decades. Human influence is very rare as most part of the coast
and islands have little infrastructure, are uninhabited, tourism
activity is undeveloped and industrial development is limited to the
towns of Massawa and Asseb. There is also critical shortage of water,
limiting development. At sea, human influences include fisheries,
anchorage on coral sites, collection of shells and potentially pollution
from ships.
Last Updated ( Tuesday, 03 July 2007 )
http://www.eritrearedsea.org/index.php?option=com_content
<http://www.eritrearedsea.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=
34&Itemid=32> &task=view&id=34&Itemid=32
Sample Image
<http://www.eritrearedsea.org/images/stories/ecmib/Crab-plovers.jpg>
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