Project profile — Protecting marine Biodiversity in Aqaba

The Protecting marine biodiversity in Aqaba project aims to conserve and restore marine and terrestrial biodiversity in the Gulf of Aqaba and surrounding coastal area, while fostering economic opportunities through innovative eco-tourism initiatives. It seeks to enhance the resilience of marine and land ecosystems in the region against the threat of climate change and human activity. On land, the project introduces native plants near dams along the coast to preserve essential habitat for birds, mammals, and reptiles. In the sea, artificial coral reefs are installed to provide additional habitat for marine life, serving as nurseries and feeding grounds for fish and other organisms. The project seeks to strengthen women’s entrepreneurial roles in coastal ecosystem management and resilience to enhance and improve the well-being of the broader coastal community, including women and youth. The project also focuses on effectively removing solid waste from the protected areas through clean-up dives, and relocating vulnerable corals developed on this waste.

The expected outcomes of this project include: (1) enhanced resilience of Aqaba’s ecosystems through adaptive technologies and practices; and (2) increased community engagement in Aqaba’s gender-responsive conservation efforts and sustainable development.

Results achieved as of March 2025 include: (1) conducted a comprehensive field assessment of 30 rock-fill dams, including site visits to 3 dams near Wadi Yutum in coordination with the Native Plant Flora Workshop; (2) carried out field visits to 10 coastal wadis to identify priority sites for native plant restoration using nature-based solutions; (3) assessed Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA)-operated plant nurseries for their capacity to support large-scale native plant propagation in Aqaba; (4) initiated biodiversity baseline surveys to align project activities with Jordan’s coastal conservation priorities; (5) held multiple stakeholder meetings with the Aqaba Marine Reserve and ASEZA’s Commissioner for Environment and Natural Reserves to identify collaboration opportunities, including artificial reef site selection and coastal zone management planning; and (6) conducted a site visit to the Marine Science Station to explore the potential for research collaboration, technical input to marine surveys and youth engagement through coral restoration and citizen science.