Knowledge Base
Scientific research, management frameworks, and field assessments spanning four decades of conservation work at Sanganeb Marine National Park and Dungonab Bay–Mukkawar Island Marine National Park.
This study was conducted at Dongonab Bay, Red Sea, Sudan during January - December 2010 to estimate shell increment and survival rate of the spat of the pearl oyster Pinctada margaritifera var erythraensis reared in the three systems (hanging, bottom, and ground). The study showed a high difference in shell increment among the three systems all over the year. The highest increment during the study was recorded in the oysters held in the hanging system (60.7 mm), followed by the bottom system (30.3 mm). The hanging system showed the highest survival rate (99%), followed by the bottom system (72%), while the oyster in the ground system died before completing the year.
Dongonab Bay is the largest bay in the Red Sea. Large quantities of mother of pearl oyster spat can be collected from it. This study was conducted at Dongonab Bay to determine length-weight relationships of Pinctada margaritifera var erythraensis cultured in two systems (hanging, and bottom) beside data collected from wild oysters. The results showed that each of the following parameters: shell length, shell height and shell thickness yielded highly significant (p < 0.01) correlation with each of the following total weight, shell weight and soft wet weight. These highly significant correlations indicated that parameters can be determined with high accuracy based on the derived equations.
This study was conducted at Dongonab Bay, Red Sea, Sudan during January - December 2010 to estimate the economic value of the pearl oyster Pinctada margaritifera var erythraensis cultured in two systems (hanging and bottom). The productivity and the economic values of oysters cultivated in the hanging and the bottom systems were estimated in case of shell production only and in case of pearl and shell production. Pearl production is more lucrative. The hanging system demonstrated the highest productivity (645035 SDG) and profitability (642289.28 SDG) despite its initial cost, while the bottom system demonstrated low productivity (425290 SDG) and profitability (423432.58 SDG)
Pinctada margaritifera is naturally occurring in Dungonab Bay and its adjacent areas. Its growth was studied for an annual cycle, from January to December 2010 in hanging, bottom and ground culturing systems as well as from the wild oysters. The asymptotic shell height ($H_\infty$) was 27.59, 9.55 and 7.77 cm in the hanging, bottom and ground system, respectively. In the wild it was 27.59 cm. The growth Index $\Phi$ was 4.39, 3.97 and 3.94 in the hanging, bottom and ground system, respectively. In the wild it was 3.66. The average height shell increment was 0.80, 0.62 in April and 0.48 cm in March in the hanging, bottom and ground system, respectively. The lowest shell increment was 0.00, 0.09 in August and 0.21 cm in the ground, bottom and the hanging system, respectively. The linear plot of $H(t+\Delta t)$ against $H_t$ for hanging, bottom, and ground culture system as well as wild oysters yielded very highly significant correlation ($p<0.001$; $r=0.969-0.997$). The linear plot of the relationship between $t$ and $-\ln(1-H_t/H_\infty)$ in all systems yielded very highly significant correlation ($p<0.001$; $r=0.990-0.998$). In all groups, the increase in shell length with time is slow and variable.
Baseline satellite and acoustic tracking of manta rays in Dungonab Bay relative to MPA boundaries, informing development trajectory decisions.
Formal CBD submission documenting globally significant populations of dugong, manta rays, turtles, and whale sharks at Dungonab Bay.
The foundational ecological baseline of Sanganeb Atoll — the earliest comprehensive record of the reef's biodiversity and habitat structure.
Comprehensive ecological and socioeconomic baseline survey underpinning MPA designation: habitats, biodiversity, and community livelihoods.
Full technical appendices: species inventories, habitat maps, biodiversity data tables, and supporting documentation for the 2004 Dungonab baseline.
First quantified baseline of beach litter at six DMNP sites over 10 months — foundational data for coastal litter management at the WHS.
Examines how coastal community livelihoods and coping strategies within the WHS relate to environmental integrity and conservation outcomes.
Comprehensive ICZM survey of coastal and marine habitats along Sudan's Red Sea coast — coral reefs, seagrass, mangroves, and biodiversity across the region.
Companion ICZM survey documenting socio-economic conditions, governance frameworks, and community livelihoods along Sudan's Red Sea coast.
Statutory management plan governing both parks: conservation zoning, community co-management, monitoring frameworks, and enforcement protocols for 2017–2021.
Foundational master plan establishing conservation zoning, management objectives, and strategies for both parks under the PERSGA GEF Strategic Action Programme.
Participatory VEMPs for Mohammed Qol and Dungonab villages — community-based environmental governance frameworks aligned with MPA management objectives.
Strategic framework for sustainable, low-impact ecotourism within Sudan's MPAs, balancing conservation integrity with community livelihood benefits.
Site-by-site evaluation of ecotourism development opportunities within DBMNP, covering infrastructure needs, carrying capacity, and community engagement frameworks.
Field survey of Sudan's Red Sea MPAs documenting marine biodiversity, habitat status, and conservation priorities across the park system.
Joint field assessment evaluating partnership effectiveness and on-the-ground conservation and development conditions across Sudan's MPA system.
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