Dahab Reef Monitoring – Reef Check Expedition

Introduction
In cooperation with REEF CHECK Europe, the Red Sea Environmental Centre (RSEC) in Dahab, South Sinai, initiated a reef monitoring programme with approval from the National Parks' authority (Nature Conservation Sector / Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency). The RSEC in Dahab has designed a reef-monitoring programme based on an extension of the standard Reef Check procedure. The aim of the extended Protocol is to provide more well defined data describing the status of coral reef health with respect to anthropogenic and natural impacts.

Team size
The Dahab Reef Monitoring needs a team of at least 8 volunteers for adequate implementation.  An assemblage of 2 teams of 8 volunteers each would be preferable.

Eligibility
Members of the Dahab Reef Monitoring Team should meet the following requirements:

Diving experience:

• Minimum certification of Advanced Open Water brevets or equivalent from renowned diving associations (e.g. CMAS, SSI, PADI) is recommended
• Minimum number of 25 logged dives is recommended

Desired biological experience:

• Advanced student in biology, or
• Master degree in biology, or
• Divemaster or dive instructor well familiarized with reef biology and ecology
• Having participated in Reef Check surveys (or other ecological surveys) earlier
• Reef Check EcoDiver is required *

* For all participants the Reef Check EcoDiver Specialty Training is required. This can be held prior to the actual reef monitoring if necessary.  

Costs
The current prices of Sinai Divers are valid for all diving activities. Additionally, Sinai Divers gives a 10% discount on equipment rental for all Reef Check activities. Long-term volunteers (minimum volunteering period of 2 months) obtain favourable prices for dive activities and equipment rental. The RSEC also provides beneficial prices for the Reef Check EcoDiver Specialty Training in combination with the Dahab Reef Monitoring. Some cost examples for 2 weeks Dahab Reef Monitoring with 20 dives:

Example 1 (Short-term volunteer):

• 2 times a Dive BOX 10 (10 dives) with Sinai Divers Backpackers - 20 dives = 350 €
• If necessary full equipment rental for 20 dives at 4,50 € (5 € with 10 % off) per dive = 90 €
• Reef Check EcoDiver Training at beneficial prices of 100 €

Sum up to 540 € including equipment or 450 € if own dive gear is present.

Example 2 (Long-term volunteer):

• Beneficial dive prices of 6 € for local dive and 9 € for dives and transportation. 
• Assuming 10 local and 10 dives with transportation à 150 €
• If necessary full equipment rental for 20 dives at 4,50 € (5 € with 10 % off) per dive = 90 €; Sinai Divers kindly offers our long-term volunteers full equipment rental on monthly base for 185 €
• Reef Check EcoDiver Training at beneficial prices of 50 €

Sum up to 290 € including equipment or 200 € if own dive gear is present.

Daily routine

Monitoring South Sinai's Coral Reefs:
Dahab Reef Monitoring

Dr. Alexander Keck and Christian Alter

Reef scientists at the Red Sea Environmental Centre (RSEC) in Dahab (South Sinai, Gulf of Aqaba), are presently observing a human impact on the reefs of Dahab of apparently substantial magnitude. Their observations are based on sightings from numerous dives, snorkelling transects and near-shore inspections and reveal almost daily violations of National Parks' regulations. Among frequent violations they record net and line fishing within reef areas, mechanical coral damage by fishermen as well as recreational snorkelers and divers and solid waste pollution. Owing to these sightings, the scientists felt a pressing need for thorough documentation of the overall health status of the coral reefs and their linked habitats.

With approval from the National Parks of Egypt (under the Ministry of Environmental Affairs), and in collaboration with Reef Check Europe and Egypt, the RSEC has designed a reef monitoring programme based on an extension of the standard Reef Check procedure. This extended Reef Check protocol, the ‘Dahab Reef Monitoring’, aims at a significantly higher resolution of both qualitative and quantitative information of selected reef areas. In short, the surveys on fishes and invertebrates, respectively, hold additional indicator species, and the substrate survey offers a diversification of over 30 categories. A forth survey, on coral damage, provides a comprehensive data set on coral injuries produced by natural causes (predation by coral-feeders) as well as human impact (breakage and abrasion).

It is clear that such a monitoring effort demands more capabilities from the volunteers who are to participate in the surveys. There are some eligibility criteria, such as good diving experience and adequate (reef-)biological knowledge. Experience from former participation in Reef Check surveys will add to one’s qualification, but is not a must. Still, appropriate training will be given in any case, and the identification skills of each participant are tested before the start of the surveys to ensure success of a monitoring campaign and the reliability of its results.

Results of the ‘Dahab Reef Monitoring’ will not only provide core data for the global Reef Check database, but are particularly intended to serve as a basic tool in conservation management of the South Sinai coastal environment. The data will provide greater detail, specificity and validity for interpretation, better detectability of changes in reef health and thus assist resource managers of the protected areas in design and implementation of environmental action plans. Anyhow, the procedures of the ‘Dahab Reef Monitoring’ are by no means restricted to Dahab and its surroundings, but may well be applied to other reef sites both along the Gulf of Aqaba and further sites along Egyptian Red Sea shores.

There will be 2 dates (of each 2-3 weeks) in 2008. If you're interested or have any question please feel free to contact us: christian.alter@redsea-ec.org