National Monitoring Program for Eilat
Updated: 24/08/2010
The Gulf of Eilat/Aqaba is characterized by a unique marine ecosystem, which is of major environmental and economic significance. However, this fragile ecosystem is endangered by intensive development. The deterioration of underwater ecosystems and species is attributed to such causes as increased urban density, port activities, tourism and mariculture. Steps must be taken today in order to ensure that this unique ecosystem and its coral reefs are not endangered. The protection of the Gulf of Eilat/Aqaba requires a combination of prevention and enforcement activities and continuous monitoring. Monitoring is a prerequisite for understanding the state of the ecosystem and the factors which impact on its health. While research on the Gulf of Eilat/Aqaba has been ongoing for several decades, systematic long-term monitoring has not been undertaken in this area with the exception of the Marine Peace Park project and other regional projects until 2003. Therefore, the Ministry of Environmental Protection approved a framework plan for a national monitoring program in the Gulf of Eilat/Aqaba, which is carried out by the Interuniversity Institute in Eilat The monitoring program is funded by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and is accompanied by a steering committee which includes representatives of the ministry. The steering committee, is responsible, inter alia, for the preparation of an annual report which is submitted to the Ministry of Environmental Protection and serves as a tool to ensure better and more effective enforcement. The monitoring program takes into consideration its possible integration in a wider regional monitoring program which will be shared by all of the countries neighboring the Gulf of Eilat/Aqaba. Goals of the Monitoring Program
The main mission of the program is continuous, long term monitoring of environmental and biological parameters in open waters, the coral reserve and the sandy habitats in the Gulf of Eilat/Aqaba. The monitoring program aims to discover ecological/environmental changes and to identify the causes of such changes. The main goals and targets of the monitoring program include: - Check and assess the state of the ecosystem in the Gulf of Eilat/Aqaba.
- Assess the "health" status of the ecosystem.
- Determine the impact of different pollution sources on the state of the ecosystem.
- Report and alert the relevant authorities about impending danger to the system.
- Create a computerized database of oceanographic data on the Gulf of Eilat/Aqaba.
- Develop and propose strategies and recommendations for the sound environmental management of the ecosystem.
The results of the national monitoring program, which relate to water and coastal quality, flora, fauna and sediments, are reported annually to the relevant institutions responsible for the conservation, development and management of the Eilat marine ecosystem. Below please find English abstracts of annual monitoring reports in recent years.
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