Al Sambouk Issue 3. October 1996.
Editorial
environment and contribute to their community. In
future issues of Al Sambouk I would like to include

more articles about other non-governmental
Assalamo alaykum to all our readers and friends. This
organizations throughout the region, and their activities.
is the third issue of the PERSGA Newsletter Al
I invite you to submit these articles and I will be very
Sambouk and it comes at a time of great activity here in
pleased to publish them
the PERSGA Secretariat. On the 26 October the second
meeting of the PERSGA Ministerial Council will take
Dr. William Gladstone
place here in Jeddah. At this meeting the Ministers

responsible for environmental matters in the PERSGA
In This Issue of Al Sambouk:
member countries will review the achievements of the

Organization over the past 12 months, and discuss the
Editorial 1
PERSGA Council and Preparatory Meetings 1
activities planned for the coming year.
Regional Training Workshop in Sharm el Sheikh 2
This issue also comes at an important time for the Red
Jordan Environment Society 3
Sea and Gulf of Aden. One of the most important
Osprey Research in the Red Sea 4
regional programmes currently underway is the
Oil Spill Trajectory Model 4
Strategic Action Programme (SAP) for the Red Sea and
Aqaba Workshop 5
Strategic Action Programme Progress 5
Gulf of Aden, which PERSGA is coordinating (the
Navigation Risk Assessment 6
SAP process and schedule were reported in the last
New Projects 7
issue of Al Sambouk). There has been great progress in

the SAP in the past six months and this issue of Al

Sambouk contains reports on some of these activities.

Importantly, the SAP is revealing the extent of
environmental and conservation issues throughout the
Second Meeting of the
Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. While much of the region is
in a good condition, not all the reports are favourable.
PERSGA Council
Surveys which have been undertaken in each country by

local experts are revealing that habitats in some areas
The Ministerial Council of PERSGA will hold its
are being destroyed and degraded by coastal
second meeting at the headquarters of PERSGA in
developments and pollution. Important marine
Jeddah on 26 October 1996, in accordance with the
resources are being harvested at rates which are
resolutions of the first Council Meeting held at the Arab
probably not sustainable (though much of the necessary
League headquarters in Cairo on 26 September 1995.
scientific information is lacking); the fishing for sharks
The Meeting will be chaired by HRH Prince Fahd Bin
(for their fins) is particularly worrying. The important
Abdullah Al Saud, Assistant Minister of Defence and
point is that we are aware of these activities now and
Aviation, and General Inspector of Civil Aviation
that this is the best time to act to prevent further
Affairs in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The meeting
degradation of our shared environment. We hope that
will discuss the report of the Secretary General on
the PERSGA newsletter Al Sambouk can play an
PERSGA activities in 1996, its budget for 1997, and its
important role in the region by informing our colleagues
activities in relation to the Strategic Action Programme
about what is happening, and how we can all contribute
for the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden (which is funded by
to the conservation of the marine and coastal
the Global Environment Facility). The Council Meeting
environments.
will be preceded by a Preparatory Meeting on 23 and
24 October 1996, involving experts from the countries
In this issue of Al Sambouk I am pleased to include an
of the region.
article which describes the Jordan Environment Society,
a non-governmental organization. The Jordan
The PERSGA Council consists of Ministers concerned
Environment society is very active in a range of
with environmental matters in the contracting parties of
environmental issues. It has a large membership which
the Regional Convention for the Conservation of the
is growing all the time. Many people feel strongly about
Red Sea and Gulf of Aden Environment (the Jeddah
the environment and how it affects their lives and their
Convention) of 1982.
children's future, and non-governmental organizations
are a very important way these people can work for the

Al Sambouk, Issue 3. October 1996, page 1

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Al Sambouk Issue 3. October 1996.

Regional Training Workshop at
Jordan Environment Society
Sharm el Sheikh

The Jordan Environment Society (JES) was established

in 1988 as an independent, non-profit making, non-
As part of the activities planned under the Red Sea
governmental organization (NGO), engaged in activities
Regional Framework Plan Project, which is funded by
in different areas of protection of the environment and
the Global Environment Facility and implemented by
promoting sustainable development. JES has ten full
PERSGA, a regional training workshop on marine
time staff and a team of volunteers addressing different
protected areas was held in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt,
environmental issues who create, refine, and
from 1-5 June 1996. The workshop was organized with
disseminate environmental knowledge to help policy-
the assistance of the Egyptian Environmental Affairs
makers and the general public to protect the
Agency, Ra's Mohammed National Park, the GEF
environment and manage and use natural and
Egypt project, and the Meteorological and
environmental resources wisely. JES is also working
Environmental Protection Administration (MEPA) of
towards encouraging the establishment of
Saudi Arabia.
environmental laws in Jordan, which will give the
The workshop was held in the superb facilities of Ra's
public a role in setting environmental policies.
Mohammed National Park. There were a total of 17
The objectives of JES are: (1) to work towards the
participants representing Djibouti (2), Egypt (4),
establishment and application of policies, standards and
Jordan (2), Palestine (2), Saudi Arabia (2), and Yemen
actions for the protection and improvement of the
(5).
Jordanian environment; (2) to keep major
Specialized lectures, mostly in Arabic, were presented
environmental elements healthy and balanced by
by ten expert consultants who came from Egypt, Saudi
adopting a national framework for the conservation of
Arabia, Switzerland, and PERSGA. Presentations were
the environment; (3) to decrease environmental
given to the participants in the fields of - the effects of
pollution; (4) to identify local environmental problems
human activities on coral reefs, the role of marine
and participate in finding solutions to such problems in
protected areas in coastal zone management, the
accordance with national priorities; (5) to improve the
selection of marine protected areas, research and
level of environmental awareness among all strata of
monitoring needs, the development of management
the Jordanian community; (6) to inspire self
plans, marine rangers, legal issues, and public
commitment and generate national feelings towards
awareness.
environmental matters; (7) to conserve the use of
natural resources; hence creating new positive
The workshop also included small group discussions
behavioural patterns towards the environment.
where participants reviewed the present use and state of
marine protected areas in the region, future needs for
JES has more than 3700 individuals and 70
marine protected areas, and the constraints to fulfilling
organizations as active members; they represent
these needs. The participants were presented with
concerned public scientists, environmentalists, and
examples of the practical management of marine
policy-makers. The main branch is in Amman and there
protected areas through specific case studies from
are 20 more branches in the country. JES is the largest
different countries of the region, and field visits to the
environmental pressure group in Jordan. Many
Ra's Mohammed and Nabq National Parks, and a visit
members of JES have participated in national, Arab and
to a tourist development within the boundaries of the
international conferences, seminars, workshops,
Ra's Mohammed National Park.
training courses, and other activities relating to
environmental protection and pollution control.
The participants agreed that the workshop was a
Furthermore, JES organizes environmental field
success because of its organization, the mixture of
activities, contests and community meetings to help
practical and theoretical materiel, the sharing of
solve or highlight local and global environmental issues
experiences among participants from different
of major concern.
countries, and the increased knowledge of participants
concerning the state of marine protected areas
JES has opened channels of cooperation with several
throughout the region.
national and international environmental groups. JES is
a member of the World Conservation Union (IUCN),
the International Association on Water Quality


Al Sambouk, Issue 3. October 1996, page 2

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Al Sambouk Issue 3. October 1996.

(IAWQ), the Environment Liaison Center (ELS), the
neighbouring subpopulations subject to different
Environmental Law Institute (ELI) and others, in order
fisheries management practices, have shown that
to exchange environmental information and expertise
declines in Osprey productivity are related to declines
with other specialized societies and organizations
in their food supply, as a consequence of unsustainable
locally and internationally.
fisheries management, and other maritime activities.
JES is run by an elected Board of Directors and a
In 1993 a collaborative venture between the National
Board of Trustees. It also has a Scientific Committee,
Commission for Wildlife Conservation and
Information and Education Committee, Public
Development (NCWCD) of Saudi Arabia, and the
Relations Committee, Arts and Environment
Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) was set
Committee, a Legal Committee, and a Recycling
up to study the biology of the Red Sea Osprey.
Committee.
Preliminary studies of seabird populations within the
Farasan Archipelago, involving NCWCD/MMU
JES publishes environmental material in the form of a
researchers, identified the Farasan Archipelago as an
quarterly newsletter, results of research and studies,
important Osprey breeding area with around 100 pairs,
proceedings of seminars, posters, leaflets, press releases
thought to be the highest density in the Red Sea.
and storybooks for children. Additionally, a specialized
Following a two-month pilot study in March 1994, a
environmental library and data bank have been
research programme was devised to survey all islands
established, containing major environmental journals
within the proposed Farasan Marine Protected Area.
and publications.
Areas with Osprey hotspots were monitored on a
The Jordan Environment Society aims to increase its
weekly basis to determine basic reproductive
membership base by attracting more people and
parameters such as laying and hatching dates, hatching
institutions to join the Society. By having more
success, growth and behaviour of chicks within the nest
members and carrying out fund-raising and money
and fledging success. Observations were also made to
generating activities, JES will be able to secure funds to
assess hunting success and fish delivery rates to chicks,
support the sustainability of the projects in the future.
recording fish size and species. Furthermore, a
The capability of JES to carry out public awareness
reference collection of reef fish skeletons, jaws and
activities will increase, as new members will bring more
other body parts was established to identify and
expertise and resources.
estimate the size of prey remains systematically
For further information contact: Jordan Environment
gathered from Osprey nests during the course of this
Society, PO Box 922821, Amman 11192, Jordan.
study. Data from this study will be used to formulate
Tel:++ 962 6 699 844; Fax:++ 962 6 695 857.
measures for managing and monitoring productive
Osprey breading areas, and for identifying specific

islands to be included within the Farasan Islands
Osprey Research in the Red Sea
Marine Protected Area.
To date 140 Osprey chicks have been ringed with

NCWCD metal rings and plastic colour rings, to
The Red Sea Osprey, Pandion haliaetus, is a bird of
monitor dispersal and assess post-fledgling mortality.
prey (raptor) which specifically hunts coral reef fish
Please report any sighting of ringed Ospreys to the
species. Over-wintering migratory Ospreys are
study coordinator: Dr Hany Tatwany, NCWCD, PO
occasionally observed at suitable resting sites, such as
Box 61681, Riyadh 11575, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
freshwater dams, deltas of wadis or inland sewage
It is important to include the following details: ring
outlets. The Osprey is well studied in North America
number (if found dead), colour of plastic rings, the
and Europe though little is known about the Middle
location of the sighting, the date, and the cause of death
East population. As a higher predator of the marine
if known. All persons assisting with this information
food chain, the Osprey is considered a sensitive
will be contacted and informed of the bird's history. I
biological indicator. In the late 1960's declines in
would like to thank Prof. Abdulaziz Abuzinada and
Osprey egg quality and productivity from
Prof. Terry Looker, the Farasan NCWCD Rangers, the
organochlorine contamination within the marine food
Coast Guards and friends for supporting this research.
chain were used as evidence to ban the use of
This research was kindly funded by the NCWCD,
insecticides containing poly-chlorinated biphenyl
MMU, BES, RGS, BA/BTO Conservation Awards, the
(PCBs) and their derivatives. More recently
Albert Reckitt Trust and the British Council.
comparative studies of Osprey productivity in


Al Sambouk, Issue 3. October 1996, page 3

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Al Sambouk Issue 3. October 1996.

Paul R. Fisher, Conservation Biology Research
Divers Society, the Aqaba Marine Science Station, the
Group, Manchester Metropolitan University
Environmental Law Institute, and PERSGA.

The workshop was officially opened by Dr Eng. Saleh
Oil Spill Trajectory Model
Al-Share, Director General of the General Corporation
for the Protection of the Environment. The keynote

address, "Environmental Protection Capacity Building
A joint project between PERSGA and UNEP, entitled
in the Aqaba Region" was given by His Excellency
"Protection of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden
Dr. Fayez Khasawaneh, President of the Aqaba Region
Environment: Initiation of Marine Pollution Control
Authority.
Policies and Development of Tools for Coastal Area
The format of the workshop involved the presentation
Management and Capacity Building" is currently
of background papers in the morning sessions, followed
underway. As part of this project, it has been agreed
by a discussion and review of the report in the
between PERSGA and the Research Institute of King
afternoon. At the end of the day it was agreed that the
Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals in Saudi
relevant agencies would consider the comments raised
Arabia, that the first phase of a trajectory model for oil
at the workshop, and undertake a final review of the
spills in the Red Sea region will be developed.
draft report, submitting their final comments to
The development of this trajectory model is regarded as
Dr. Eng. Saleh Al-Share. The final review report was
the first important step in the preparation of regional
received by PERSGA in early September (PERSGA is
contingency plans for oil spills. Nationally, the
coordinating the development of the SAP, including the
development of this model will also help oil spill
final report).
working groups in each country to take the necessary
The Aqaba workshop was a valuable experience in the
decisions to minimize oil spill impact and to use the
joint development and review of a country report by the
available resources to combat oil pollution with the
relevant partners. It succeeded for several reasons: a
minimum cost. By using such models the spread and
comprehensive draft report was available to the
fate of oil spills can be predicted. The model also
workshop participants well before the workshop; all
includes calculations regarding the dispersal of oil on
relevant agencies were invited to attend and participate;
water, its evaporation, and its spread on the coast. The
discussion was actively encouraged; all logistical
project is expected to be completed within two years.
arrangements were coordinated and the production of

the final report was coordinated by a single expert
Aqaba Workshop
consultant.
In the coming months similar workshops are planned

for the development and review of the remaining
As part of the development of the Strategic Action
country reports, with funding from the Global
Programme (SAP) for the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden a
Environment Facility.
workshop was held in Aqaba, Jordan, on 24 July 1996.
The SAP is an assessment of regional issues related to
the environment, conservation and resources. As well,
the SAP will also be a programme of activities and
projects designed to address the identified issues. The
SAP is being built from expert reports from each of the
participating countries. The Aqaba workshop was
convened to review the report which had been prepared
on Jordan.
Participants to the workshop included representatives of
the General Corporation for the Protection of the
Environment, the Aqaba Region Authority, the Ports
Corporation, the Ministry of Planning, the Royal
Society for the Conservation of Nature, the Jordan
Environment Society, the Jordan Royal Ecological


Al Sambouk, Issue 3. October 1996, page 4

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Al Sambouk Issue 3. October 1996.

Progress in The Strategic Action
the potential to cause serious environmental, economic
and social damage.
Programme for the Red Sea and
There are a number of activities in the region which will
Gulf of Aden (SAP)
lead to an increase in ship traffic and an increase in

cargoes transported, including plans to increase the
volume of oil transported by the Petroline to Yanbu,

expansion of oil export facilities in Yemen and oil
In early September a meeting was convened by the
reception facilities in Eritrea and Sudan, and the
Secretary General of PERSGA, Dr Nizar Tawfiq, in
establishment of Free-ports in the region. The increase
Jeddah involving the partner agencies in the Global
in maritime traffic requires a continual review and
Environment Facility and the PERSGA Secretariat. The
improvement of safety measures to prevent accidents.
aim of the meeting was to begin the preparation of the
report of the SAP, and to prepare an executive
Recognising this, a Navigation Risk Assessment and
summary of current progress in the SAP. This
Management Plan is currently being prepared for the
executive summary will be presented by Dr. Tawfiq to
Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. Funded by the Norwegian
the annual meeting of the PERSGA Council on
Trust Fund of the World Bank, the study will be
26 October.
undertaken by consultants from the Norwegian
foundation Det Norske Veritas (DNV), and will begin
The group met in the PERSGA headquarters from 7-12
in November. The goals of the Plan are to improve
September, and 21-23 September. Present at the
vessel traffic management, reduce the risk of accidents,
meeting were representatives of the United Nations
and thereby protect the environment.
Development Programme (Ms Catherine Cheung), the
United Nations Environment Programme (Mr. Halifa
There is a wealth of expertise and practical experience
Drammeh), the World Bank (Dr. Stephen Lintner), the
in the navigation field throughout the region. The
Chief Technical Consultant to the SAP (Dr. Friedhelm
development of this study will benefit a great deal from
Krupp), and the PERSGA Secretariat (Dr. William
this, and in an effort to utilise this expertise and
Gladstone and Dr. Dirar Nasr).
coordinate regional input into the study, a Regional
Expert Working Group will be formed. The Working
The group prepared the first draft of the SAP report,
Group will consist of experts in the field of navigation
and this will be edited and updated as information
and maritime safety from countries throughout the
continues to become available from the remaining
region. The activities of the Working Group in relation
country reports. The final report is expected to be
to this study will be coordinated by PERSGA, with
completed in early 1997.
funding provided by the World Bank as part of its

contribution to the Strategic Action Programme for the
Navigation Risk Assessment
Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
PERSGA has appointed Captain Saeed Yafai,

Chairman of the Public Corporation for Maritime
The Red Sea is a major shipping highway: each year
Affairs in Yemen, to be the Technical Coordinator of
there are around 25,000 transits by ships carrying a
the Working Group. Dr Nizar Tawfiq, Secretary
variety of cargoes. Most importantly for the
General of PERSGA, has invited the PERSGA focal
environment, over 100 million tons of oil are
points, and the Governments of Djibouti and Eritrea, to
transported through the Red Sea each year. This is a
nominate their members for the Working Group.
staggering number of ships to pass through a narrow,
The Working Group's contribution to the study will
semi-enclosed sea, where the entry through the Bab el
take place through meetings between the consultants
Mandab is a mere 29 kms wide. For most of its length
and the members of the Group in each country, and also
the Red Sea is deep (2,000 m); however, it is fringed by
more formally through a series of workshops. The first
coral reefs and islands which are internationally
workshop, which is being coordinated by Captain Yafai
important reservoirs of biodiversity, a source of
and PERSGA, will take place in Aden from 17-19
livelihood for large numbers of coastal dwellers, and a
November 1996. This workshop will review the
recreation ground for locals and international visitors.
preliminary findings of the consultants and develop the
As a large number of these ships carry oil, an
workplan for the remainder of the study. A second
accidental collision, wreck, or shipboard accident has


Al Sambouk, Issue 3. October 1996, page 5

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Al Sambouk Issue 3. October 1996.

workshop is planned to take place in Ismailia in early
1997.

New Projects

As part of the development of the Strategic Action
Programme for the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden (SAP),
PERSGA is implementing a number of projects which
will provide technical support to the SAP. Funded by
UNEP, as part of its contribution to the SAP, the
following projects have recently commenced, or are
planned to begin in the near future:
(1) An update of the bibliography of the Red Sea and
Gulf of Aden. The original bibliography was jointly
undertaken by PERSGA and UNESCO and covered all
references published up until 1984. The update will
address all materials from 1985 to the present, and will
cover published scientific literature, monographs, and
published reports. Due for completion by the end of
January 1997.
(2) A review of regional environmental programmes.
This project will identify issues throughout the region
related to the marine and coastal environments, and
groundwater. It will assess the programmes which have
been put into place to address these issues, and identify
issues which are not being adequately addressed. Due
for completion by the end of January 1997.
(3) Update of the State of the Marine Environment
report. The SAP will produce the most up-to-date
information on the marine and coastal environments of
the region. Following the completion of the SAP this
information will be assembled into a report which will
update the existing reports on the state of the regional
marine environment. Due for completion by the end of
June 1997.

Al Sambouk is produced at the PERSGA office by
Dr. William Gladstone (Editor), Dr. Dirar Nasr
(Assistant Editor) and Mr. El Fatih M Salih.
Translation by Dr. Dirar Nasr and Mr. Yassin Hassan
Yassin. Graphics by Dr. David Olsen (MEPA).


Al Sambouk, Issue 3. October 1996, page 6

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