Egypt’s extensive coastline incorporates a significant proportion and a considerable range of the coral reefs found in the Red Sea, including a small number of reefs and islands lying in deep water at some distance from the continental shelf. Human activities along this coastline are highly varied, and include areas of quite intensive use and considerable reef degradation, but also areas which remain relatively remote and inaccessible, and which are largely unimpacted by humans. A very substantial proportion of Egypt’s coral reefs are protected, including all those in the Gulf of Aqaba and all the fringing reefs around islands in the Red Sea itself. There are 22 islands covered by this legislation, including the important and remote offshore islands of the Brothers (El Akhawein), Daedalus (Abu El Kizan), Zabargad and Rocky. The reefs of the Sinai Peninsula have undergone active management since the early 1990s. Mooring buoys have been installed and restrictions are enforced at the sites. A user fee system, (US$5 per day in 2000) helps to support these activities. The significant value of reefs in the national economy has led to the recognition and establishment of a fine system for damage to the reef substrate (from ship groundings and other activities). This has been calculated at US$300 per square meter for each year until estimated recovery (up to 100 years if large, slow-growing Porites colonies are damaged).

Ihe coastline of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan extends approximately 27 km along the north eastern-reaches of the Gulf of Aqaba ( Fig. 1). The coast is home to Jordan's only seaport and is a center of industry, tourism and transportation. Approximately 30% of the coast is used for port facilities. Fringing reefs border up to 50% the coast supporting a high diversity of coral and associated fauna. It has been reported that the reefs support 158 coral species in 51 genera (Al-Moghrabi 2000) and over 280 fish species (PERSGA 1996). Jordan's coral reefs are in good condition, supporting up to 90% cover of scleractinian corals. No bleaching events were recorded in the aftermath of the 1997/1998 global warming event, possibly as a result of the extreme northern latitudes. There are currently no marine protected areas in Jordan, although one is proposed that will encompass coral reefs at the northern tip of the Gulf of Aqaba, through funding by a GEF-Jordan initiative. Coral reef conservation in the Gulf of Aqaba will only come about by limiting the effects of industry, maritime activities and tourism. Several efforts are underway to develop regulatory and institutional mechanisms for promoting sustainable development in the Aqaba region.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is the largest coral reef nation in the region, with an extensive coastline facing the Red Sea, and an additional significant coastline along the western shores of the Arabian Gulf. The Red Sea coastline extends from the border with Jordan in the northern Gulf of Aqaba all the way to the border with Yemen in the southern Red Sea, following the clear climatic and physical gradients described elsewhere. This region is arid and dominated by high relief along much of its length. Offshore the waters mirror the patterns of the western shores of the Red Sea. In the north there is little or no continental shelf, reef flats are narrow, and the reef profiles are often steep to vertiginous. Further south the continental shelf widens, and in the far south becomes very wide, with extensive, shallow, and turbid inshore waters. Tourism is largely unknown, and there is no active promotion of diving or snorkelling, although a number of dive centers cater for local needs, which include significant numbers of expatriate workers. Such recreational activities are most significant on the reefs around Jeddah. A large number of marine protected areas have been proposed along this coastline, though few have been declared.

Yemen has a long coastline, with a short section facing the Red Sea and a much longer one facing the Gulf of Aden. In the Red Sea, the Yemen has a more densely populated coastline than many other areas. There are oil terminals in Hudaydah and Mukha, and oil pollution together with sewage and industrial development may be having localized impacts. As with Eritrea, political and military instability have prevented the development of tourism. Fisheries are important, including an offshore trawl fishery, but also line and net fisheries, with reports of overfishing in some areas. A significant sharkfin fishery has been reported in the southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, with many fishers coming from Yemen, and often operating illegally in the waters of neighboring countries. Apart from driving a rapid decline in shark stocks there is reported to be a considerable by-catch, including turtles and dolphins. The Yemeni coast of the Gulf of Aden remains poorly described, but recent studies have found a number of interesting and important coral communities and some true reefs, including around Al Mukalla, Bir Ali and Shuqra. Some of these communities include wide areas of monospecific coral stands, notably of Pocillopora and Montipora. It was assumed, until the mid-1990s, that there were few significant coral communities off the coast of Socotra, but recent surveys have shown extensive areas of high live coral cover. These are best developed on the northern reaches of both Socotra and the neighboring islands, where some 240 hard coral species have been recorded, making them among the most diverse reefs in the Indian Ocean region. Widespread mortality of corals was reported at some locations following the 1998 bleaching event, but other locations showed little or no impacts and recovery, with rapid growth of new recruits, was reported in 2000. Human impacts on the reefs in Yemen are still relatively minimal, other than from fishing. Much of the coastline in southern Yemen is undeveloped, although Aden is a major port, with associated pollution and problems of solid waste disposal. The country is quite reliant on fisheries, and has an active offshore pelagic fishery in the Gulf of Aden. Illegal fishing by Yemeni boats is also reported from northern Somalia. Reef fishing has developed and is widespread around Socotra, including an artisanal lobster fishery. Efforts are now underway to develop a tourist industry on Socotra.