Jeddah Convention

The Regional Organization for the Conservation of the Environment of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden (PERSGA)

A. Overview

Red Sea and Gulf of Aden (RSGA) Region is globally known for the uniqueness of its coastal and marine biodiversity, important for international maritime transport, and its special economic, historical and social values to the Region. The marine and costal ecosystems support a rich biological diversity with a distinct high proportion of endemic species. Several locations and species in the region have global conservation merit. For examples, Socotra Archipelago, Dungonab Bay and Senganeeb Atoll are inscribed on the List of the UNESCO Natural Heritage Sites. Farsan and Dahlak Archipelagos in the southern Red Sea, and the flourishing coral reefs in the northern and central parts of the Red Sea are also distinctive features of the region.

The Red Sea supports high species endemism. According to PERSGA reports (RSGA- SOMERSGA, 2020), about 14.7%  of the Red Sea fishes are endemic species, which ranks the Red Sea among the top areas of high fish endemism in the world. Furthermore, endemism is remarkably high among some fish families, e.g. around 90% of the Red Sea dottybacks (Pseudochromidae) and triple fins (Tripterygiidae), and 50% of the Red Sea butterfly-fishes (Chaetodontidae) are endemic species. Among invertebrate groups, about 6% of the Red Sea coral, 13% of polycheate, 33% of crinoid, 23% of holothuroid, and 13% of asteroid species are considered endemic.

The Red Sea is increasingly being identified as a potential climate refuge for coral reefs, because of the relatively higher resilience of its corals compared to other parts of the world. In addition to the all-encompassing coral reefs, the region also supports extensive seagrass beds and mangroves. The Gulf of Aden has levels of biological productivity that are amongst the highest in the world. The flow of nutrient rich water from the Gulf of Aden into the Red Sea (replacing loss through evaporation) is largely responsible for higher productivity in the southern part of the Red Sea as well. Marine fishery, as a traditional economic activity, remains a main source of food and income for coastal communities in the region. However, declining and fluctuating trends are reported for several fisheries in the region, which are mainly linked to degradation of their essential coastal habitats and overfishing Other significant issues to the long-term stability of the RSGA ecosystems stem from the increase in the human population in the coastal zone and the rapid economic growth resulting in considerable pressure on the coastal and marine environments. Major concerns include habitat destruction; overexploitation of marine resources; navigation risks and threats of hydrocarbon spills; pollution from urban /industrial/ tourism hotspots; illegal disposal of pollutants by transiting vessels; and the impacts of climate change.

B. Introduction

The Red Sea and Gulf of Aden (RSGA) Region is well recognized for the variety and value of its coastal and marine environments, in addition to its strategic, economic, and social significance to the Region. Major threats to the long-term stability of the marine ecosystem stem from the increase in the human population in the coastal zone and the rapid rise in economic growth resulting in considerable pressure on the environment.

The "Programme for the Environment of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden (PERSGA)" was initiated in 1974 in collaboration with the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO) and the support of United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) as one of its Regional Seas Programmes, to address threats such as marine pollution, depletion of marine resources, overfishing which are of trans-boundary nature that necessitates regional cooperation to define their causes, effects and coordinated management actions. In 1982 the Programme was underpinned by signing the Jeddah Convention, formally titled "Regional Convention for the Conservation of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden Environment". The Jeddah Convention expresses in clear terms the commitment and the political will of the governments of the region to tackle the marine and coastal environments of the Red Sea and Gulf Aden through joint and coordinated efforts. The provisions of the Jeddah Convention aim at protection of coastal and marine environment from pollution and the rational management of living marine resources. They came synchronized with the Articles of the United Nations Convention on the Law of Seas (1982), where Article (123) of this Convention called for cooperation among coastal countries of an enclosed or a semi-enclosed sea, and to coordinate their efforts regarding rights and duties concerning marine environment.

In accordance with Article III of the Jeddah Convention, The Regional Organization for the Conservation of the Environment of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden - PERSGA was established in 1995.

C. Organizational structure

1. Contracting Parties - The following are the parties of the Jeddah Convention: Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.
2. PERSGA Ministerial Council - PERSGA is an intergovernmental organization governed by a council of ministers responsible for environmental affairs in the seven PERSGA member states. The Ministerial Council meets every two years to approve technical and financial policies.
3. PERSGA National Focal Points – include undersecretaries of ministries in charge of environment in the member states
4. Secretariat – PERSGA programs, projects, activities and daily affairs are managed by a secretariat, which is run by a team of technical and administrative experts headed by the PERSGA Secretary General. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia hosts PERSGA Secretariat and headquarters in Jeddah.

D. The Jeddah Convention and its Related Legal Instruments

In addition to the Convention, the 1982 Conference produced and signed another important instrument, which is also legally binding: the "Action Plan for the Conservation of the Marine Environment and Coastal Areas in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden". As marine pollution by oil and other harmful substances is an urgent and important issue in the region, the "Protocol Concerning Regional Cooperation in Combating Pollution by Oil and Other Harmful Substances in Cases of Emergency" was signed along with Jeddah Convention in 1982. The Convention, the Action Plan and the Protocol entered into force in August 1985.

Later on, the Jeddah Convention was further consolidated by signing and ratifying two additional regional protocols, including the Protocol Concerning the Conservation of Biological Diversity and the Establishment of Network of Protected Areas in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden (2005); the Protocol Concerning the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-Based Activities in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden (2005). Furthermore, two other protocols, the Protocol Concerning Exchange of Experts, Equipment and Materials in Cases of Marine Emergency, and the Protocol Concerning Cooperation in Management of Fisheries and Mariculture in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden were finalized, and their signing and ratification currently in progress.

E. Areas of work

Rational use of marine resources and the protection of coastal marine environment from pollution and overexploitation are central objectives of Jeddah Convention (1982) and its derived Regional Protocols and Action Plan. To achieve these objectives, PERSGA runs several regional flagship programs and projects that support regional capacities and coordination.

PERSGA specialized regional programs include:

Marine Biodiversity

Background

The Red Sea and Gulf of Aden is a globally significant marine ecosystem and are renowned for their diversity of ecosystems, habitats and species, the numbers of endemic species, and their biogeographic significance. A consequence of the diversity of habitats in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden is the great species richness of marine flora and fauna. The Red Sea is one of the most important repositories of marine biodiversity on a global scale.

The global conservation values of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden include: the diversity of coral reef habitats in the central Red Sea of Saudi Arabia and Sudan; its distinct zoogeography and number of endemic species; the unique coral reefs around the Sinai; the atoll-like formation of Sanganeb Atoll in Sudan; extensive stands of mangroves and populations of dugong and turtle in the southern Red Sea; the unique biodiversity of the Socotra Archipelago; and, the extensive stocks of commercial fishes and high rate of primary and secondary production in the Gulf of Aden.

More than 300 reef-building corals, more than 1300 fish species and hundreds of marine invertebrates and marine mammals call the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden their home. Many are key resources for nearby coastal communities.

However, rapid development and growing human usage threaten the sustainability of current uses and the conservation values. In several countries there has been the development of petroleum-based economies that require sea transport and port facilities for petroleum exports. The growth of international dive tourism has caused destruction of coral reefs in heavily visited reefs. General population growth in the coastal zone has led to localized habitat destruction and modification and the release of pollutants. Stocks of invertebrates, fishes, and sharks (and their associated ecosystems) are affected by over-fishing. The ability of many countries in the region to address issues will be constrained by limitations in both technical expertise and the required experience in management. Despite the enormous economic growth that has occurred in some countries, many coastal communities continue to rely for their livelihood on small-scale usage of marine resources, especially fisheries. The social and economic structure of these communities is threatened by the accumulated impacts occurring within the marine and coastal environments

This program focuses on creating and effectively managing marine biodiversity areas and establishing and promoting sustainable uses. By addressing direct and indirect threats to coastal and marine biodiversity, PERSGA Marine Biodiversity program works to ensure a sustainable future where nature and people can thrive.  

Mission and Objectives

• To provide for the conservation, protection and restoration of the health and integrity of the ecosystems and biological diversity in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
• To safeguard the threatened species, the critical habitats, sites of particular importance, as well as representative types of coastal and marine ecosystems, their biodiversity and their sustainable use and management, to ensure long-term viability and diversity.
• To adopt strategies, plans and programs for the conservation of biodiversity and the sustainable use and management of marine and coastal biological resources.
• To realize tangible improvements in human and community wellbeing for communities adjacent to marine and coastal areas.

Activities and Outcomes

• The signing of the Protocol Concerning the Conservation of Biological Diversity and the Establishment of Protected Areas by PERSGA member states in December 2005 was provided a regionally coordinated approach to conservation.
• Regional action plans (following regional surveys) were developed for coral reefs, mangroves, marine turtles and breeding seabirds and are being implemented nationally via national action plans.
• Preparing the status of coral reefs in the region since 1998 in cooperation with GCRMN (1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2008, 2020)
• Detailed assessments of the coral reefs of PERSGA countries were undertaken and a regional status report was published (2010).
• Published the 2^nd Status of Marine Environment Report in the Red Sea & Gulf of Aden (SOMERSGA2020)
• A manual of standard survey methods was published, covering methods of rapid assessment, intertidal habitats and mangroves, corals and coral communities, seagrass and seaweeds, subtidal habitats, reef fish, marine turtles, seabirds, and marine mammals during 2004. The manual was updated during 2019 by adding four methods to cover monitoring of fisheries, water quality, Management Effectiveness Evaluation of marine protected areas and monitoring of Socio-economic parameters. The development of standard survey methods will facilitate the acquisition of population data and monitoring.
• Training and capacity building in the standard survey methods has produced regional specialist teams competent to carry out the standard survey methods. Regional training workshops were held for mangroves and intertidal habitats; marine turtles; marine mammals, ornamental fish sampling, IUCN Red_List, data collection and analysis of the aquarium fish trade; corals and corals resilience; seagrass and algae; breeding seabirds; elasmobranch identification, sampling and stock assessment methods.
• Installation of mooring buoys (to reduce anchor damage on dive sites) along the submerged reef off Jeddah (KSA) and Aqaba reefs (Jordon).
• PERSGA was integrated current research and monitoring into global initiatives such as the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI), the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN), and the ongoing research and monitoring of PERSGA countries.

 

• Climate change mitigation
• EMARSGA (Emergency Mutual Aid Center in Red Sea and Gulf of Aden)
• Marine Protected Areas

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)

Background

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are a principal tool for conservation management in the coastal and marine environment. They range from large, zoned, multi-use areas to the more common smaller, usually un-zoned, sites in which all or certain extractive activities are prohibited.  MPAs are locations within which certain types of human activity, and particularly fishing, are intended to be regulated more restrictively than they are outside those boundaries. However, the use of MPAs, with notable exceptions, remains unsophisticated in a majority of cases.  Also, Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are established to restore degraded habitats, to allow stock recovery following over-fishing, to protect representative samples of biodiversity (species, habitats, ecosystems), to support fisheries in surrounding areas, and to support social and economic development.

Marine protected areas (MPAs) have been established in many parts of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden as tools to provide for sustainable resource use, economic development and conservation. Of particular importance is the need to conserve areas that represent the range of the region’s unique habitats and biodiversity and to support national development. This has been initiated through the integration of 12 MPAs from throughout the region into a Regional Network of MPAs for the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

Mission and Objectives

• To develop regional capacity in all aspects of MPA planning and management;
• To provide for the sustainable use of living marine resources;
• To support local and national economic and social development;
• To involve local communities and stakeholders as partners in MPA management;
• To conserve representative and prime examples of the biodiversity of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden;
• To conduct research and monitoring programs for the benefit of MPA management;
• To enhance public awareness of the marine resources and biodiversity of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden and the principles of sustainable use;
• To protect the unique cultural heritage of the marine and coastal environments of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden;
• To implement a regional legal framework for protected areas and biodiversity.

Activities and outcomes

• The signing of the Protocol Concerning the Conservation of Biological Diversity and the Establishment of Protected Areas by PERSGA member states in December 2005 was provided a regionally coordinated approach to establishment PERSGA’s MPAs Network.  Twelve MPAs were selected for the regional network: Iles des Sept Frères and Ras Siyan (Djibouti); Ras Mohammed National Park; Red Sea North Islands (Egypt); Aqaba Marine Protected Area (Jordan); Umm Al-Qamari Protected Area  & Farasan Islands (Saudi Arabia); Aibat and Saad ad-Din Islands, Saba Wanak (Somalia); Sanganeb Marine National Park; Dungonab Bay and Mukkawar Island National Park (Sudan); Socotra Islands; Belhaf and Bir Ali area (Yemen).
• Developed a series of engagements/exchanges between MPA counterparts from one PERSGA member country to another.
• Detailed site assessments were undertaken of many MPAs inside the network.
• Site-Specific Master Plans for four MPAs were implemented
• Regional Master Plan & Survey Design of PERSGA MPAs Network published and disseminated.
• PERSGA prepared and updated the management plan Dungonab Bay-Mukkawar Island National Park in Sudan.
• PERSGA prepared an Integrated Management Plan of the UNESCO World Heritage Site in Sudan (Dungonab Bay and Sanganeeb Atoll).
• Update the zoning plan of Wadi EL-Gemal-Hamata National Park in Egypt.
• Support MPAs network with equipments and management tools .
• Evaluate annually the management effectiveness of the whole MPAs along the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
• Published many guidelines about Marine Protected Areas management and planning (Arabic and English).

 

• Capacity Building
• Environmental education and public awareness
• Land Based Activities
• Marine Litter
•  Marine pollution prevention and response

PERSGA crosscutting and transversal regional programs include:

• Environmental Monitoring
• Environmental Education and Awareness
• On-the-ground Activities Program
• Regional Information System and Knowledge Library

F. Partnerships

PERSGA is a long-established organization that has well-established partnerships with international and regional organizations. Among international partners PERSGA has collaborations with United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the World Bank (WB), United Nations for Industrial development Organisation (UNIDO), International Maritime Organization (IMO), IOC-UNESCO, FAO and …(IAEA)At the regional level, PERSGA works in close cooperation with regional development organizations, such as Islamic Development Bank, ISESCO, Arab League, CEDARE and ROPME to name a few. PERSGA has also established networking with many relevant national partners including government agencies, academic institutes, NGOs and grassroots organizations in the member states.

G. Ongoing projects

PERSGA is very active in partnering with international Donors and the UN agencies in implementing and executing international projects dedicated to the protection of the marine environment, as such it has successfully launched in September 2022 a regional project on “Sustainable Fisheries Development in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden”, or SFISH*, which is supported by the World Bank and executed by PERSGA in the region. The SFISH project in collaboration with the World Bank is focusing on fostering regional collaboration and management, whereby elevating the capacities of Member States, towards a more sustainable development of fisheries in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. The project component objectives focus specifically on: i) developing PERSGA regional data center and integrated information and knowledge management systems for monitoring and assessment, and sharing knowledge to support science-based policy and management of sustainable fisheries and marine resources in PERSGA region; ii) strengthening PERSGA platforms for capacity development and regional coordination mechanisms for sustainable marine fisheries and aquaculture; iii) enhancing citizens, private sector and development partners engagements in sustainable fishery through effective communication and awareness strategies.

In addition, PERSGA has executed several GEF supported regional project in collaboration with GEF agencies, The main GEF projects executed by PERSGA include the Strategic Action Program (SAP) , conducted during 2000-2004 in collaboration with UNEP, UNDP and the World Bank; Reduction of UPOPs Emissions in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, conducted during 2011-2013 in collaboration with UNIDO; and the Strategic Ecosystem Management Project (SEM), conducted during 2014-2018 in collaboration with the World Bank; coordinated the outreach of the GloFouling Partnerships in the region in collaboration with IMO during 2018-2024. For more information, visit www.persga.org

• HESBERSGA Project (foreseen to be launched in 2025)

PERSGA is currently finalizing implementation of the PPG phase of the regional project “An Inclusive Approach for Harnessing Marine Ecosystem Services and Transforming to Sustainable Blue Economy in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden – HESBERSGA project”, which is supported by the GEF, implemented by UNEP, and executed by PERSGA in the region. The project aimed at strengthening the management of Red Sea and Gulf of Aden marine and coastal ecosystems with an emphasis on supporting effective governance reforms to improve delivery of marine and coastal ecosystem services, accelerate efforts towards achieving SDG14, and facilitate transformation to Sustainable Blue Economy.

• The GloFouling Partnerships Project

GloFouling Partnerships* is a collaboration between the IMO, GEF and UNDP to protect marine biodiversity from the negative effects of marine invasive species.GloFouling Partnerships Project aims to build capacity in participating countries in the region for implementing the IMO Biofouling Guidelines and other relevant guidance and best practices for biofouling management and to catalyse overall reductions in the transfer of Invasive Aquatic Species (IAS) introduced by marine biofouling with additional benefits in reducing the Greenhouse Gas emissions from global shipping.

Together with ships’ ballast water and aquaculture, biofouling is one of the main culprits in the spread of non-indigenous marine species. Invasive species in marine and coastal environments are a threat to native biodiversity and productivity of the marine ecosystem. Non-indigenous and invasive species – even in very remote coastal areas – are now seemingly the norm rather than the exception.

PERSGA was selected among other seven regional organizations to run this project for five years (2018-2024). The project is funded by the Global Environment Fund (GEF) for 6.9 Million $US. Four countries, namely: Jordan, Sudan, Djibouti and Somalia, from the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden Region participate in this project.

H. Key achievements

1. Granted and executing a regional project on “Sustainable Fisheries Development in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden”, or SFISH to run for five years (2022-2026)   and finalising the PPG * phase of the HESBERSGA* project (timeline: 4 years)
2. Implemented the two previous regional projects (Strategic Action Program (SAP) and the Strategic Ecosystem Management (SEM).
3. Activation of the declaration of both Red Sea and Gulf of Aden as maritime special Areas under Annex I and V of MARPOL Convention  to be effective starting from 1^st Jan 2025.
4. Adopted  Regional Action Plan for Sustainable Management of Marine Litter in the RSGA (RAPMaLi) in 2018.
5. Development of a regional contingency Plan for Oil and HNS spills in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden
6. Upgrade of the EMARSGA Center regional information system and pollution spill modeling functions to support response
7.  Advanced regional legislations by developing five regional protocols, of which three ratified (concerning Oil & HNS; Biodiversity-MPAs; Land-based Activities) and two in progress (concerning exchange of equipment & personnel during emergency; and management of fisheries & aquaculture).
8. Developed and Updated the Regional Standard Survey Methods (SSMs) manual for monitoring key habitats and species in the RSGA region in 2018, which was produced in 2007.
9. Supported member states (Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Sudan and Yemen) in developing their National Action Plans for Sustainable Management of Marine Litter (NAPs).
10. Development of many regional specific strategies & action plans, management guideline, and manuals e.g. RAPs for conservation of key habitats and species, guidelines for marine litter, sharks conservation, ornamental fish management, regional strategies for reduction of Unintentional Persistent Organic Pollutants (UPOPs) emissions, ballast water management, ships biofouling management, on the uses of chemical dispersants at sea etc.
11. Established Regional Network of MPAs in the RSGA region since 2005, and recently increased in MPAs coverage by 21.67%
12. Provided the Regional Center for Mutual Aids during Marine Pollution Emergencies (PERSGA-EMARSGA), established in 2006 in Hurghadah(Egypt), with modules for oil spill and chemical incidents.    .
13. Produced technical guidelines, and outreach materials tailored for RSGA region.
14. Established Regional State Of the Marine Environment Report (SOMER) process (SOMERSGA reports, including development of objective based regional indicators, and continuous updating to cope with the global process and objectives.
15. Expanded the regional training activities and on-the-ground projects, including awareness programs, in the member states by about threefold in terms of both interventions and beneficiary numbers.
16. Ratified MEAs by PERSGA member states has generally increased by 12%.
17. Collaborated with UNEP in implementing several regional initiatives, such as those addressing blue carbon, wastewater, marine litter, and EBM  .
18. Establish several regional initiatives, such as those addressing blue carbon, wastewater discharges, marine litter, and Ecosystem- based management (EBM) in collaboration with UNEP

Contact Us

Secretary General:

Prof. Ziad H. Abu-Ghararah

Secretary General, PERSGA

P.O. Box 53662, Jeddah 21583

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Tel:    +966.12.4238855

Website: http://www.persga.org/