Red Sea and Gulf od Aden (SAP) Project, Yemen
Case Study C0201
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| Date | 2004 |
| Agency | UNDP, UNEP, World Bank |
| Donor/support agency | Regional Organisation for the Conservation of the Environment of Red Sea and Gulf of Aden (PERSGA) Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Islamic Development Bank European Commission GEF |
| Project type | Implemented by agency |
| Context(s) | Productive landscape |
| Geographic coverage | Yemen |
| Biodiversity focus | Marine and coastal ecosystems |
| Development focus | Coastal communities |
| Conservation goals | Safeguard the coastal and marine environments of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden Region |
| Poverty reduction goals | Improve the sustainability of natural resources management in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden Region |
Summary
The Republic of Yemen, situated in the south-western part of the Arabian Peninsula, has a long coastline extending for over 2500 km. Yemen is endowed with rich coastal/marine habitats, ecosystems and biota as reflected in its significant large biodiversity, which represents a vital source of livelihoods for coastal communities. Although a good portion of the coastal zone of Yemen is still in relatively good condition, population growth, rapid coastal development, coral reefs destruction, over-fishing of lucrative high value species, ships waste, discharge of untreated or inadequately treated sewage and disposal of solid waste have become major threats to the coastal/marine unique resources of Yemen.
In 1974, the Programme for the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden (PERSGA) was established as a response to the emerging awareness of the environmental threats the area faced. Later, in the period 1995-1998, GEF supported the preparation of a Strategic Action Program (SAP) for the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, which constitutes the basis for the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden (SAP) project. The main objective of the project is to safeguard the coastal and marine environments of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden Region and ensure sustainable use of its resources. As stated in the project, this objective was to be achieved through a framework designed to enhance regional environmental management through a series of complementary policy, institutional strengthening and investment actions.
Overall, the project has largely failed to achieve its potential in relation to involving local communities’ actions and generating local benefits.
Conservation impact
The rate of maritime accidents has decreased, and, although there are no available data yet, this is likely to have led to a reduction in sea pollution and to an increase in fishing activities. Local catch of fish has improved also as a result of the ban on foreign trawlers operating in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden fishing grounds, imposed by the Government of Yemen in 2003.
Poverty reduction impact
There is no evidence to suggest that tangible institutional capacity strengthening has taken place as a result of this project. The Public Awareness Program, mainly carried out through activities like the environmental school clubs and the micro-grants for community participation program, assisted in raising environmental awareness.
Strategy for Conservation/Poverty Linkages
Enabling local participation in policy-/decision- making processes
Sustainable Use
Related records above this one:
- European Commission (EC) (Organisation O0160)
- United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) (Organisation O0146)
- World Bank (Organisation O0145)
- Global Environment Facility (GEF) (Organisation O0026)