GEF CZM - Protected Terrestrial Area
Region: Middle East
Country: Yemen
Date: 2007-06-19
Funded By: WB GEF/Min of Environment Yemen
MEP were contracted under GEF finance with SCSAS of Yemen to advise the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of Government of Yemen on the establishment of two pilot marine protected areas in Shabwa and Hadramout on the Gulf of Aden coast. MEP teams surveyed the coastal waters conducting dive and terrestrial surveys to map the habitats of the proposed sites between Ras Balhaf and Ras Burum and between Ras Sharma and Jethmun. The pilot sites are most important containing a wide diversity of species and habitats including some of the most important coral reef assemblages in the region, the most intensive turtle breeding beaches in the Indian Ocean and unique terrestrial features of coastal volcanoes and wetlands. The data was mapped, categorised and recorded, concurrently with a series of workshops presenting findings and seeking local community and government views on management options to limit habitat loss and overfishing through coastal development and expanding fishing populations responding to higher national and export demand for fish. A management plan defining the two pilot areas and setting out management plans and budgets for community lead management in the framework of local government was produced in draft for EPA and dissemination among government agencies for comment before finalising.