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| samadai |
Origin of the Project
Marine mammals worldwide are under threat and fall within various categories
of International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)’s Red List, critically
endangered, endangered, vulnerable and near threatened. They rank in the top
tier of the marine animal kingdom, as they give birth and breast-feed their young.
Marine mammals are large animals in size and often frequent coastal areas
and shallow reefs. Their presence attracts people and divers to observe, follow
and play with them with the consequence that they are exposed to direct human
pressures and impacts. Their larger size and need of breathing air makes them
vulnerable to injury by boat propellers during normal open water cruising and
manoeuvring at dive sites.
Marine mammals reproduction is very slow. Pregnancy lasts for about a year or
more and the birth of a single offspring is the norm. This complicates the
conservation process, as reproduction is a difficult and a protracted process and
rates of recovery of a depressed population can take years.
Marine mammals worldwide are under threat and fall within various categories
of International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)’s Red List, critically
endangered, endangered, vulnerable and near threatened. They rank in the top
tier of the marine animal kingdom, as they give birth and breast-feed their young.
Marine mammals are large animals in size and often frequent coastal areas
and shallow reefs. Their presence attracts people and divers to observe, follow
and play with them with the consequence that they are exposed to direct human
pressures and impacts. Their larger size and need of breathing air makes them
vulnerable to injury by boat propellers during normal open water cruising and
manoeuvring at dive sites.
Marine mammals reproduction is very slow. Pregnancy lasts for about a year or
more and the birth of a single offspring is the norm. This complicates the
conservation process, as reproduction is a difficult and a protracted process and
rates of recovery of a depressed population can take years.
In the Red Sea, at least 13 species of marine mammals have been recorded, mostly dolphins, whales and dugongs; but the actual number of
species may be greater as information is incomplete. This makes the Red Sea a region of very high value as far as marine mammal biodiversity
is concerned. In spite of this fact, to date efforts to conserve marine mammals in the Red Sea have been inadequate and discount their
ecological value and endangered status.
A significant experience was going on in Samadai, a crescent-shaped offshore reef located approximately 5km southeast of Marsa Alam. The
reef is oriented E-W forming a natural lagoon on the south, or lee side, as the prevailing wind is from the north. The sheltered waters of the
lagoon provide a favourable resting habitat for a population of Spinner Dolphins (Stenella longirostris). Because of the exposed character of the
Egyptian Red Sea coast with few embayments, protective reefs such as Samadai are exceedingly valuable habitats.
Features of Spinner Dolphins (Stenella longirostris)
These are small dolphins that average less than 1.8 m in length and 75 kg in weight. Maximum size is about 2.1 m and 95 kg. These dolphins
are very slender and have a long, slender beak that is black above and white below. Coloration is dark grey dorsally, fading to lighter grey on the
sides and the belly is white. A dark stripe extends from the flipper to the eye. Average number of teeth is 224.
Spinner dolphins' appellation derives from their habit of breaching in graceful curves and spinning vertically before re-entry. Motives for this
behaviour are unknown, but it represents a distinguishing characteristic of the species. Spinner groups are from 30 to several hundred
individuals, but have been known to number in the thousands. They feed on mesopelagic fishes, squid, and shrimp. Adult females deliver a
single calf at 2-year intervals in early summer. However, birthing can occur at any season. Gestation is 11 months, and newborn calves average
75 cm.
The Samadai experience
In early 1990, only 2-3 dive operators frequented the area. By 2002, there were 15 operators running 60 boats per day serving 1000-1200 guests
from cities throughout Europe. This imposed formidable pressure on the resident dolphins and surrounding reefs, particularly considering that
the dolphins use the reef as a resting place. During Summer 2003 the pressure from swimmers on Samadai reef and its dolphins was so
intense that the Red Sea Protectorates of the Nature Conservation Sector (NCS) of the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency (EEAA) and the Red
Sea Governorate decided, by decree of the Governor, to stop tourist use of the area and closed, from October to December, the reef to the public.
A micromanagement plan was then initiated, limiting the daily number of boats and visitors to 10 boats and 150 visitors. A monitoring
programme was also initiated and the findings demonstrate a high correlation between visitor numbers and dolphin desertions; numbers have
been reduced from 200 to 15. Beyond 200 visitors/day, dolphins disappear altogether.
The Red Sea Protectorates proposed the adoption of a 4-point Management Plan to the Red Sea Governorate concerning (a) visitors (b) zoning
(c) public awareness and (d) monitoring:
(a) Visitor management: limit daily visitors to 200 (100 divers; 100 snorkelers). Apply a daily service-fee system of LE 105/person on motorized
vessels and LE 35/person on non-motorized vessels. Booking is “first come first served" and limited to 15-tickets/day/dive/operator. Enforce the
Governor's decree. Provide in situ education of visitors.
(b) Site Zoning
- Designate part of the site as Zone A for dolphin use only, a No Entry Zone.
- Designate part of site as Zone B, a Snorkelers Only Zone, with life jackets required and vessels prohibited.
- Designate part of site as Zone C, a Zodiacs Allowed Zone.
- Designate part of site as Zone D, a Divers Only Zone.
(c) Public Awareness Programme: continue education-awareness programmes targeting dive guides, boat captains, tourists, rangers and
schools (8 such sessions were held in Jan. 04, with audiences divided into 2 groups, one in Hurghada, and one in Marsa Alam).
(d) Monitoring Programme: maintain monitoring programme initiated by NCS rangers and developed by an Italian consultant (Dr. Giuseppe
Notarbartolo di Sciara) who continues to advise on ranger monitoring methodologies.
The Management Plan was introduced by Governor’s decree and is currently operational. The Samadai model of protecting endangered species
and using resource on a sustainable way has proven to be effective, providing that resources are made available.
While the management of the Samadai reef is a small but significant success story, it can now be used to create locally the capacity to enhance
the management and conservation of Samadai itself, as well as to face similar situations in the surrounding area, and transform local crises into
opportunities for (a) the preservation of the marine environment, (b) the generation of revenues, and (c) the creation of jobs.
species may be greater as information is incomplete. This makes the Red Sea a region of very high value as far as marine mammal biodiversity
is concerned. In spite of this fact, to date efforts to conserve marine mammals in the Red Sea have been inadequate and discount their
ecological value and endangered status.
A significant experience was going on in Samadai, a crescent-shaped offshore reef located approximately 5km southeast of Marsa Alam. The
reef is oriented E-W forming a natural lagoon on the south, or lee side, as the prevailing wind is from the north. The sheltered waters of the
lagoon provide a favourable resting habitat for a population of Spinner Dolphins (Stenella longirostris). Because of the exposed character of the
Egyptian Red Sea coast with few embayments, protective reefs such as Samadai are exceedingly valuable habitats.
Features of Spinner Dolphins (Stenella longirostris)
These are small dolphins that average less than 1.8 m in length and 75 kg in weight. Maximum size is about 2.1 m and 95 kg. These dolphins
are very slender and have a long, slender beak that is black above and white below. Coloration is dark grey dorsally, fading to lighter grey on the
sides and the belly is white. A dark stripe extends from the flipper to the eye. Average number of teeth is 224.
Spinner dolphins' appellation derives from their habit of breaching in graceful curves and spinning vertically before re-entry. Motives for this
behaviour are unknown, but it represents a distinguishing characteristic of the species. Spinner groups are from 30 to several hundred
individuals, but have been known to number in the thousands. They feed on mesopelagic fishes, squid, and shrimp. Adult females deliver a
single calf at 2-year intervals in early summer. However, birthing can occur at any season. Gestation is 11 months, and newborn calves average
75 cm.
The Samadai experience
In early 1990, only 2-3 dive operators frequented the area. By 2002, there were 15 operators running 60 boats per day serving 1000-1200 guests
from cities throughout Europe. This imposed formidable pressure on the resident dolphins and surrounding reefs, particularly considering that
the dolphins use the reef as a resting place. During Summer 2003 the pressure from swimmers on Samadai reef and its dolphins was so
intense that the Red Sea Protectorates of the Nature Conservation Sector (NCS) of the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency (EEAA) and the Red
Sea Governorate decided, by decree of the Governor, to stop tourist use of the area and closed, from October to December, the reef to the public.
A micromanagement plan was then initiated, limiting the daily number of boats and visitors to 10 boats and 150 visitors. A monitoring
programme was also initiated and the findings demonstrate a high correlation between visitor numbers and dolphin desertions; numbers have
been reduced from 200 to 15. Beyond 200 visitors/day, dolphins disappear altogether.
The Red Sea Protectorates proposed the adoption of a 4-point Management Plan to the Red Sea Governorate concerning (a) visitors (b) zoning
(c) public awareness and (d) monitoring:
(a) Visitor management: limit daily visitors to 200 (100 divers; 100 snorkelers). Apply a daily service-fee system of LE 105/person on motorized
vessels and LE 35/person on non-motorized vessels. Booking is “first come first served" and limited to 15-tickets/day/dive/operator. Enforce the
Governor's decree. Provide in situ education of visitors.
(b) Site Zoning
- Designate part of the site as Zone A for dolphin use only, a No Entry Zone.
- Designate part of site as Zone B, a Snorkelers Only Zone, with life jackets required and vessels prohibited.
- Designate part of site as Zone C, a Zodiacs Allowed Zone.
- Designate part of site as Zone D, a Divers Only Zone.
(c) Public Awareness Programme: continue education-awareness programmes targeting dive guides, boat captains, tourists, rangers and
schools (8 such sessions were held in Jan. 04, with audiences divided into 2 groups, one in Hurghada, and one in Marsa Alam).
(d) Monitoring Programme: maintain monitoring programme initiated by NCS rangers and developed by an Italian consultant (Dr. Giuseppe
Notarbartolo di Sciara) who continues to advise on ranger monitoring methodologies.
The Management Plan was introduced by Governor’s decree and is currently operational. The Samadai model of protecting endangered species
and using resource on a sustainable way has proven to be effective, providing that resources are made available.
While the management of the Samadai reef is a small but significant success story, it can now be used to create locally the capacity to enhance
the management and conservation of Samadai itself, as well as to face similar situations in the surrounding area, and transform local crises into
opportunities for (a) the preservation of the marine environment, (b) the generation of revenues, and (c) the creation of jobs.
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