These projects have directly contributed to the conservation, research, and sustainable management of Sanganeb Atoll Marine National Park and Dungonab Bay–Mukkawar Island Marine National Park — Sudan's first UNESCO Marine World Heritage Site. Each project advances the parks' Integrated Management Plan objectives, World Heritage obligations, and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
12+
Partner organisations
>US$5M
Investment mobilised
Status All Active Completed Planned
Theme All Species Recovery Ecosystem Management Community & Livelihoods Research & Science Ecotourism Governance & Capacity
Funding All Under US$100K US$100K – 500K Over US$500K
Showing all 6 projects
Objectives
Establish baseline data on shark and ray movements, behaviour, and population structure in Sudanese Red Sea waters
Deploy a 38-monitor passive acoustic array across 130 km of coastline from Sanganeb to Abington Reef
Conduct satellite telemetry of reef manta rays (Manta alfredi ) to assess home range and MPA boundary effectiveness
Build national scientific capacity through training of WCGA staff and Red Sea University researchers
Run the “Divers Aware of Sharks” (DAS) citizen science programme with Sudanese dive operators
Key Results
22 manta rays tagged — first acoustic implantation and dorsal satellite-tag attachment in manta rays globally
35 genetic samples collected; first confirmation of both Manta alfredi and Manta birostris co-existing in DMNP
98.5% of satellite-tracked manta ray locations fell within MPA boundaries — confirming spatial appropriateness of DMNP designation
Acoustic array operational for multi-year passive monitoring across both parks
Peer-reviewed publication: Kessel et al. (2017) PLoS ONE — confirming MPA boundaries protect manta ray habitat
Partners
University of Windsor (Canada) · The Deep Aquarium (UK) · Red Sea University (Sudan) · WCGA · SUDIA
Lead Scientists
Dr. Nigel Hussey (University of Windsor) · Dr. Steven Kessel (John G. Shedd Aquarium)
Geographic Scope
DMNP manta aggregation area (Dungonab Bay / Mohammed Qol) · SMNP offshore reef acoustic array
WH Management Plan
Species monitoring & research; MPA management effectiveness
Kunming-Montreal GBF Targets
Objectives
Strengthen the operational capacity of the WCGA Marine Protected Areas Division (WCGA-MPAD)
Develop a sustainable ecotourism framework for both marine parks
Deliver park boundary and informational signage for SMNP and DMNP
Support gender-sensitive community engagement with Beja fishing communities in Dungonab and Mohammed Qol
Contribute data and analysis to the UNESCO World Heritage Integrated Management Plan 2017–2021
Key Results
Procurement and delivery of two patrol boats and safety equipment to WCGA-MPAD
Design and installation of park boundary signage and entrance signboards for SMNP and DMNP
Community ecotourism feasibility framework produced
Data contributed directly to the UNESCO World Heritage Integrated Management Plan 2017–2021
“Did You Know?” Sudan Red Sea public awareness campaign launched (2017)
Dungonab community children participated in UN General Assembly World Ocean Day event (2017)
Partners
The Deep Aquarium (UK) · University of Windsor (Canada) · SUDIA (Sudan) · WCGA
Geographic Scope
Both parks; community work focused on Dungonab and Mohammed Qol villages
WH Management Plan
Ecotourism planning; park infrastructure; community engagement; MPA patrol capacity
Kunming-Montreal GBF Targets
Objectives
Conduct a legal review of Sudan’s MPA governance and regulatory framework
Prepare an updated management plan for Dungonab Bay–Mukkawar Island National Park (Klaus 2016)
Produce the Integrated Management Plan 2017–2021 for the serial UNESCO World Heritage site
Support coral reef, seagrass, and mangrove habitat monitoring through Red Sea University
Build the capacity of WCGA staff in MPA monitoring and management methodologies
Key Results
Updated management plan for DMNP completed and adopted (Klaus 2016)
Integrated Management Plan 2017–2021 for the SMNP–DMNP World Heritage site delivered — the foundational park management document currently in force
Comprehensive monitoring data on coral reefs, seagrass, mangroves, and macroinvertebrate communities produced
Legal and governance framework review completed
Data informed the IUCN World Heritage Outlook 2020 Conservation Outlook Assessment
Implementing Agency
PERSGA – Regional Organisation for the Conservation of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden
Partners
WCGA · Red Sea University · Red Sea State Ministry of Tourism and Environment · Federal Ministry for the Environment
WH Management Plan
Legal and governance framework; management planning; habitat and species monitoring
Kunming-Montreal GBF Targets
This project covers four protected areas across Sudan. The activities and results summarised here relate specifically to Sanganeb Atoll Marine National Park and Dungonab Bay–Mukkawar Island Marine National Park.
Objectives
Strengthen management effectiveness of both marine national parks through METT assessments and adaptive management
Develop and enforce dive operator regulations, a permit system, and code of conduct for SMNP
Support livelihood diversification for Beja communities in Dungonab and Mohammed Qol (Component 3)
Deploy reef mooring buoys at Sanganeb key dive sites to eliminate anchor damage to corals
Gender mainstreaming and monitoring & evaluation framework across protected area management (Component 4)
Key Results
Project launched October 2021 at signing ceremony in Port Sudan
Dive operator code of conduct and permit system in development
Community ecotourism pilots active in Dungonab Bay
Mooring buoy deployment at Sanganeb planned (2025)
GEF grant: US$4.1M | UNDP TRAC: US$500K | Total UNDP-administered budget: US$4.6M across four Sudan protected areas
Partners
WCGA · Ministry of Environment · Red Sea State Government · SUDIA
WH Management Plan
Management effectiveness; community livelihoods; zoning & enforcement; gender mainstreaming
Kunming-Montreal GBF Targets
Objectives
Document sea turtle nesting activity on the sandy beaches of Mukkawar Island
Establish a quantitative baseline nest count for green (Chelonia mydas , EN), hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata , CR), and loggerhead (Caretta caretta , VU) turtles
Contribute nesting data to the global SWOT (State of the World’s Sea Turtles) monitoring database
Key Results
Nesting survey methodology established at Mukkawar Island
Data actively being contributed to the SWOT global monitoring database
Mukkawar Island confirmed as a sea turtle nesting site of regional significance
Implementing Agency
SUDIA / Sudan Marine Parks
Geographic Scope
Mukkawar Island eastern beaches, DMNP
WH Management Plan
Flagship species monitoring; sea turtle conservation
Kunming-Montreal GBF Targets
Objectives
Survey renewable marine resources in Red Sea State waters, including areas within and adjacent to the marine national parks
Provide fisheries baseline data to support sustainable resource management planning for coastal communities
Key Results
Survey completed 2013; fisheries and marine resource data produced for Red Sea State
Data contributed to the broader Red Sea State marine resource management knowledge base, informing subsequent MPA planning
Implementing Agency
UNIDO – in partnership with Institute of Marine Research (IMR), Norway
Partners
Red Sea State Government · WCGA
Geographic Scope
Red Sea State coastal and marine waters including park zones
WH Management Plan
Sustainable fisheries; renewable marine resource baseline data
Kunming-Montreal GBF Targets
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