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"Spring 05"
 
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   Environment:

 

CONSERVATION OF ENDEMIC MARINE LIFE OF THE RED SEA

By: Mohamed Ibrahim Habib
(Environment Committee Coordinator)

Endemic marine lives are those that occur only at the RED SEA and nowhere else in the world. The intention of this series of article is to spot the attention of the Red Sea lovers for this kind of rare animals to do their best to protect them, as this is the only realm at which you can only find.

CAUSES OF ENDEMISM The changing world - the theory of continental drift suggests that between 200 and 80 million years ago the single 'supercontinent' Pangea broke up into areas now recognizable as our modern continents.
Once areas became isolated from each other, their animal and plant life evolved indifferent way. The end of the Red Sea (Bab el Mandeb) the channel that separates it from the Gulf of Aden is narrow and shallow. This restricts the flow of water between the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean and hence restricts the movement of reef fish. The consequence is that many fish species in the Red Sea, particularly reef fish such as butterfly fish, have evolved in relative isolation from their cousins outside. This results in distinct species that are endemic to the area. More than 1000 species of fish can be found in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, these are all considered here as Red Sea endemics.
Lets give you two example from fishes and corals.

Banner fish:-
Amongst the most beautiful and brightly colored reef fishes are the butterfly. There are 6 species endemic to the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. The most famous fish among them which many of diving center (Jasmine and Easy divers) are using it as the banner is the Red Sea bannerfish (Heniochus intermedius). The butterflyfishes are typically feeders on corals polyps, hydroids, small crabs, shrimps and worms. But Red Sea bannerfish feed on zooplankton and small invertebrates. this fish are always territorial and divers found them in pairs or group especially at the Gotta Abu Ramada East with the yellow Mashed butterflyfish from 4m,geter to 30 meter depth.

Brain coral: -
There are hundreds of the coral species all over the world. The Red Sea is known to contain more than 300 species of hard and soft coral. Close to 10% of these species are endemic to the Red Sea ,each one of them Having adapted over thousands of years of evolution to specific environmental conditions. One of the endemic species are brain coral (Erythrastrea flabellata) is often form hemispherical mounds, but are characterized by their unique distribution of pale cream polyps which grow in the winding pattern, giving a brain-like appearance. They leave at reef slopes protected from wave action from 5 meter to 20 meter depth.

THREATS TO Red Sea ENDEMIC SPECIES
Natural extinction has always occurred; indeed the number of extinct species far Outweighs those alive today. But human activities are now changing the natural World at a rate unprecedented in evolutionary history, and mass extinction of Species are a virtual certainty.

The threads causes are:-

Curio trade
A species endemic to Red Sea, is also under threat as it is sold for aquarium
Pets eg coral fishes.

Introduced species
Species that have been introduced either accidentally or Deliberately, may wipe out the local species becaus they have evolved in other Environments. The local species may have few defenses against such predators.

Destruction of habitats
Human activities, like urban development and Pollution. Like turtles and new resorts beaches.

How to protect Red Sea ENDEMIC SPECIES?
Conserving the entire range of the world's biological wealth requires action in both areas of endemic species and areas of high biological diversity. Technologies aimed at maintaining ecosystems include protected areas, land use, Planning, zoning systems, and regulations on permissible activities. By means of conservation, not only will the balance of nature be maintained but Also in turn it will enrich our lives. By helping our precious fauna and flora to Survive we shall also be contributing to our own survival!


 

 



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THE DOUBLE-ENDED NEEDLEHORSE 

By: Orca Diving Center

New evidence in the Red Sea, the family of Pipefish’s/ Seahorses have been found at our Hurghada diving sites.

The species Solegnathus includes the Pipefish as well. They are considered to be the link between the families of the pipefish and the seahorses. And the closely related species, the Syngnathoides, can now evidently be found for the first time in the Red Sea, in the area of Hurghada.
Half like a pipefish and half like the seahorse - that’s what our new guest looks like. The tailfin of the Double–ended Needlehorse, Syngnathoides biaculeatus is missing. The tail itself is very flexible and can be used to hold or fix the body in the seagrass or on the reef. The head and the front of this kind of fish looks like the shape of the seahorse.

Commonly they live between flat-leaved seagrass and they can be very shy. As adults, the Double-ended Needlehorses travel on the top of sea grasses (different kinds) mostly on the Sargassum seagrass rafts. In any kind of emergency, they are able to runaway on the top of the plants, outside of the water (at the surface). Later you will find them back under water in their plants.

During the courting of the male, the female shows noticeable markings on the lower trunk. After, the male carries the spawn free and under his body, usually around 300 eggs. The offspring can also be transported by the seagrass rafts over far distances. Commonly the Double–ended Needlehorse live between seagrasses and/ or plants. Depending on their habitat, a greenish–brown or grey colouring the fish display, they are always very well camouflaged.

Pipefish mainly feed on different crustaceans, fish larvals and larval stages of shrimps.

 

 



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CORALS RESTORATION 

By: Alain Deguine

There is no doubt that every skin diver enjoys the magnificent abundance of life on the coral reefs. The sad fact is that this extraordinary ecosystems are under the constant threat of destruction all over the world. During the next few decades it is crucial to save the world’s barrier reefs.
It is of primary importance to protect and rejuvenate this maritime heritage.
The coral reef is not only a visual wonder but also an important source of revenue and life support for millions of people.
The restoration, defence and protection of coral reefs is the mission of Compagnons des Mers. This is an association of volunteers fully aware of the threat to the reef and determined to do something to save our marine world.
“Skin-divers are on the front line and are well equipped to understand these problems and they are able to take action. With their determination and responsiveness, big things can be achieved” say Alain Deguine, founder of Compagnons des Mers.
Since 2004, Compagnons des Mers has established a prototype site in the Red Sea, in Egypt at the hotel Safir.
This pilot site is a complete operation to coordinate the protection and conservation of the local reefs including research and education as well as the different economic aspects of these activities. Authorities from the “Experts of the Red Sea Protectorate”, the local government and other associations like the Red Sea Association for the protection of the Hurghada region are involved in this project.

The program consists of cleaning, restoring and maintaining the reef. This consists of the picking up and disposing of all debris, waste and rubbish as well as collecting broken coral to implant in special “nurseries” for re-growth. The salvaged coral will then be repositioned where the coral was destroyed, in special coral gardens or to construct artificial reefs.
The pilot operation in Hurghada is assisted by the professional logistic support of dive center “Seafari Red Sea”, a local skin-divers/ excursion club which provides the equipment. Accommodation is available at the Hotel Safir another local business giving support for our project. All activities are performed by local and overseas volunteers.
Compagnons des Mers is financed solely by donations and subscriptions. Particularly active in Europe the association has joined with several ecological organisations involved in the protection and preservation of the marine resources.

In 2005 Compagnon des Mers has reinforced its position as a real player in the reef regeneration and is offering hands-on activities to volunteers. This is complemented by information and training in the protection of the coral reef.
We invite all skin-divers and lovers of the natural splendor of coral reefs to contact Compagnons des Mers and join us in this exciting adventure.
Alain Deguine is always available to meet you and set-up workshops, conferences, presentations or simply have a conversation about his vision and hopes for the future of the coral reefs.
www.compagnonsdesmers.com

 

 


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