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Projects

Background

Red Sea Research Projects are ideal for active volunteers and training marine science students, to learn the methods used in marine research programs to the standards required for accurate scientific analysis, and participate in ongoing projects at every level. Red Sea Research membership is required for all project participation

Projects requiring volunteers are updated monthly and advertised via our news letters and membership e-mails. The Projects listed below are long term projects that constantly require monitoring, short term projects will be posted as soon as we receive them.

For an project updates please contact us at <info@redsearesearch.org>

Apart from our current research projects Red Sea Research actively participates in local coastal clean-ups by removing tyres, nets and other discarded debris littering the reefs as and when the need arises; so be prepared to lend a hand.

All project placements are subject to availability, and can be changed to accommodate large groups, clubs and university field trips to suite their individual requirements and curriculum.

Speciality projects are only available to Red Sea Research organisation Members.

To become a member please clickhere

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Marine base line data gathering

Project number: R001/09/DBL

Mission:

This project is sponsored by Red Sea Research Ltd and the South Sinai Marine Protectorate, to facilitate data gathering useful to marine research while training. Unqualified volunteers will be trained to collect catalogue and store data under the direct supervision, in a safe environment, then when qualified assigned an area to thoroughly survey as a team, under the supervision of Red Sea Research staff.

Red Sea Research has undertaken to conduct base line surveys of all the major dive sites along the coast of Sinai, these will be compared to surveys conducted on unused sites to ascertain the impact diving tourism has on the coastal marine environment.

Research diver at work

Start Date: 01/09/09

End date: Ongoing

Location: Dahab/Ras Abu Galum. Egypt.

Volunteers: Min 4. Max Unlimited.

Minimum qualification: Research Diver Novice.

Type of survey: Full marine scientific base line surveys.

Method: Areas 25m² will be assigned to teams who will survey the area using the following methods:

Topographical O/S survey areas will be 25m² and up to 20m in length or depth, including 5m of shore or beach.

Benthic surveys will be conducted by surveying 25m lengths at depths of 5m, 10m, 15m. Line intercept transects and quadrat survey methods will be used. the subject will be decided per survey.

Fish census surveys will be conducted by surveying 25m lengths at depths of 5m, 10m, and 15m. Line transect and quadrat survey methods will be used. The species will be determined on site.

Bathymetric samples will be taken and recorded at depths of 5m, 15m and 30m at each site.

Cataloguing: Data collected throughout training and supervised surveys will be entered into Excel spreadsheets to allow for interpretation, graphical presentation and ease of transfer to analytical packages.

Conclusion: The data collected will be invaluable to both the volunteers collecting it; for the knowledge and experience they will have gained, and the researchers who use the data as a means to observe the effects tourism and the changing environment has on coral reefs and the ecosystems they support, and help us develop ways to counteract the detrimental effects that economic development has on the marine environment.

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Reef rehabilitation and Coral propagation

Project number: R002/09/DRR

Mission: Red Sea Research in collaboration with the Red Sea Environmental Centre (RSEC) and the South Sinai Marine Protectorate (SSMP) are conducting experiments to develop a system of coral propagation and reef rehabilitation specifically for use in the Gulf of Aqaba and Red sea environments. Suitable techniques will be implemented to rehabilitate damaged and unhealthy reefs in South Sinai. The reefs in South Sinai are threatened by excessive recreational diver traffic, unregulated fishing, and pollution caused by coastal construction sites.

Coral Transplant

Start date: 01/03/10

End date: Ongoing.

Location: Dahab/Nabq/Neweba. Egypt.

Volunteers: Min 4. Max 20

Minimum qualification: Research Diver trainee.

Participation in this project is available to non divers

Project objectives:

Research into coral propagation for reef rehabilitation is a new science and depending on the local environment the results can vary dramatically, therefore it is our aim to develop coral propagation units at various locations in South Sinai where coral sustainability is threatened, with the view to determining the most viable method for coral propagation in the region. This will help to facilitate the techniques required to successfully rehabilitate threatened reef ecologies by introducing the most suitable reef rehabilitation practices.

Data collection: Data collected throughout training and conducted surveys will be entered into Excel spreadsheets to allow for interpretation, graphical representation and ease of analytical packages.

Conclusion: The knowledge, experience and data gained by experimentation, research into coral propagation and reef rehabilitation will benefit coral reef research programs globally, providing experience and training for volunteers participating in the project. The benifits to the reef ecology and local tourism wil be made apparent with time and the advent of coral farming and environmental management programs.

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Environmental trap fishing

Project number: R003/09/DFT

Mission:

Red Sea Research has developed a trap fishing program involving the local Bedouin community. The Traps are constructed of biodegradable and natural materials allowing local fishermen to catch live fish unharmed enabling the release of mature and inedible fish. This project requires volunteers to monitor and record the species, size and quantity of the fish caught in the traps. This method will improve the selection of species caught and reduce the destructive net and line fishing techniques which indiscriminately kill everything caught and often become entangled in the reef causing damage to the corals, trapping fish and mammals, and becoming a potential hazard to recreational divers.

This long term project will improve the local Bedouin’s understanding of resource management, the economic and environmental value of alternative fishing methods.