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International Journal of Marine Science 2013, Vol.3, No.44, 361-367
http://ijms.sophiapublisher.com
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2.5 Implementation of ICZM in Aqaba
Ever since defining the Gulf of Aqaba Action Plans in
1993, 2005, and 2012 several practical steps have
been realized. Amongst these is the implementation of
a coastal environment monitoring program and the
preparation of coastal zone management guidelines for
the south coast. This is together with management
guidelines to enforce the Aqaba Marine Protected
Area (AMPA). The program of AMPA calls for full
partnership between resource management agencies
and marine research institutions as well as other
stakeholders and coast users. The program is a joint
undertaking on the Gulf of Aqaba that fosters
cooperation between the different governmental and
non-government agencies leading to greater
conservation and sustainable use of the outstanding
coral reef ecosystem resources. Main goal of the
program is to provide resource managers with the
scientific understanding of the basic ecological
processes in the Gulf of Aqaba and the impacts of
human activities on those resources. The research and
monitoring (R & M) together with the AMPA
management teams from ASEZA and Marine Science
Station (MSS) coordinate activities update work plans
and discuss trends and issues for coastal zone
management. The close coordination between the
ASEZA management and the MSS research help
significantly in the integration of data generated from
the R & M into management decisions. A joint
database was also developed on the biological,
chemical and physical parameters including
information on basic water circulation patterns in the
Gulf of Aqaba. With a lead from ASEZA both teams
initiated a coordinated long-term monitoring and
research program for the coral reef ecosystem and
biodiversity (Figure 3). ASEZA and MSS carried out
Figure 3 General bottom habitat characteristics: percentage
cover of hard corals and other associated living and non living
components at the northern, middle and southern parts of the
Jordanian coast of the Gulf of Aqaba. (Source: marine
environmental appraisal of Gulf of Aqaba, annual report, 2011)
several joint training programs for their resource
managers and AMPA staff in order to strengthen the
working relationship of the two agencies. Training
programs included subjects of database use and
management, communication technology, conservation
and management strategies. The AMPA program
therefore considered two major interconnected
components, the cooperative management and outreach
(CMO) and cooperative research and monitoring (CRM).
3 Discussions
The AMPA is a pioneering effort to employ a new
paradigm for coupling a scientific approach with the
development of improved marine protected area
management strategies in order to sustain a vital
marine ecological system in Gulf of Aqaba.
Rapid development in the economic activities and
population increases in Aqaba has led the government
of Jordan, through ASEZA, to undertake the
management of AMPA as a matter of urgency. The
AMPA objectives are to
conserve and manage the
natural near-shore marine environment of the Aqaba
south coast region with its rich biodiversity while
allowing for certain tourist uses at sustainable levels.
AMPA is located south of the city of Aqaba of about 7
km in length, stretching from the passenger terminal
in the north to the police officers’ club in the south
(Portman, 2007). The area’s terrestrial boundary lies
50 m east of the mean high water mark and the marine
boundary lies 350 m west of the mean high water
mark. Today’s AMPA have evolved considerably from
the traditional model of the terrestrial park and can
achieve far more than the protection of critical habitats
and endangered species. In support of the area’s
awareness activities a series of publications including
videos, posters, brochures, photo libraries etc. has
been compiled online for the use of interested parties
to act as a resource center for the advancement of
marine conservation activities in Aqaba and the region.
Additional important niches that the modern AMPA
fills are public education and outreach, as well as
serving as a physical reminder of the social,
economic and ecological benefits of marine and
coastal resource protection. The multiple-use AMPA
addresses the different sets of objectives of myriad
stakeholders, thereby providing a framework for
resolving conflict between various users of marine
and coastal ecosystem services.