The Effects of Local Aquatic Activities on Coral Cover in the Jordanian Gulf of Aqaba

A study on the Aqaba Marine Reserve revealed that while recreational marine activities such as diving and snorkeling do not significantly impact coral cover up to 10 meters depth, illegal fishing activities are strongly correlated with reduced coral cover in shallow zones. The research used line transect methods to measure coral cover across 13 diving sites, analyzing their proximity to human disturbances through linear regression. Notably, sites with higher fishing activity exhibited significantly lower coral cover, except at depths between 21-30 meters. This suggests that while recreational activities may have localized effects, illegal fishing poses a more substantial threat to coral health in the Jordanian Gulf of Aqaba.

Attum, O., Tawaha, M., Giuffre, Z., Eid, E., & Awali, A. (2024). The Effects of Local Aquatic Activities on Coral Cover in the Jordanian Gulf of Aqaba. Turkish Journal of Bioscience and Collections, 8(1), 1–7. https://doi.org/10.26650/tjbc.1305161