Coral Translocation: Mitigating Adverse Impact of Development Along the Aqaba Coastline/Jordan

^{Mohammed M. A. Kotb1, Nedal M. Alouran,2*, Abdullah A. Awali3 and Mohannad A. Hararah4}

¹Marine Science Department, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt. ²Department of Water Resources and Environment Management, Balqa Applied University. ³Aqaba Marine Park, Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority, Aqaba, Jordan. ⁴Environment Commission, Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority, Aqaba, Jordan.   Corresponding Author: Email: nedal @bau.edu.jo

Abstract: The present study describes corals translocation initiated in response to the Environmental Impact Assessment study (EIA) conducted for the new South Port project in Aqaba. A galvanized steel structure painted with anti-fouling and anti-rust paints for the establishment of nursery structures was used. Concrete pipes and fossil reef rocks were utilized for the creation of a new cave-shape dive site. Marine cement was used to fix the colonies at the designated sites. About 7000 coral colonies were translocated from the new port site to selected locations within the Aqaba Marine Park showed a survival rate of 89.8% during the first year. The study indicated that coral translocation is a good tool for conservation if well designed and controlled. It would help in mitigating any potential adverse impacts resulted from development activities in coastal areas.

Keywords: Artificial reefs; Restoration; Coral translocation; Coral transplantation; Coral nursery; Red Sea; Jordan

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