Title : Marine turtles of the red sea coast, Sudan: Biodiversity, coastal ecosystems, and conservation
Abstract:
Sudan’s Red Sea coastline represents a biologically rich and ecologically critical marine environment, providing essential habitat for four species of marine turtles: thehawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata), green (Chelonia mydas), leatherback(Dermochelys coriacea), and loggerhead (Caretta caretta) (Al-Mansi et al., 2003; Rees et al., 2020; CMS, 2019; IUCN-SSC MTSG, 2021). These species play a key role inmaintaining coastal ecosystem health by supporting coral reef resilience, seagrass bedproductivity, and nutrient cycling (SHAMS, 2024; Bos et al., 2022). This review synthesizes over three decades of research and monitoring in Sudan, integrating ecological observations, and nesting site assessments that reveal population structures and connectivity within the Red Sea and beyond (Bowen &Karl, 2017; Duchêne et al., 2012; Komoroske et al., 2017; Al-Kindi et al., 2021; Dey et al., n.d.). Major nesting sites, including Mukkawar Island, are highlighted for their regional conservation importance, aligning with observations of significant RedSeanesting habitats in neighboring Saudi Arabia (TVBRICS, 2024; SHAMS, 2024). Despite their ecological significance, marine turtles in Sudan face multipleanthropogenic pressures, including coastal habitat degradation, illegal harvesting, climate change, and pollution, including plastic ingestion (Hamann et al., 2010; Al- Mansouri et al., 2023; Rees et al., 2016). Conservation efforts are challengedbylimited monitoring capacity and enforcement, emphasizing the need for enhancedmarine spatial planning, establishment of protected areas, and community-basedmanagement approaches.
Strengthening research on marine turtle ecology, population connectivity, and threats is critical for sustaining Red Sea coastal ecosystems. Regional cooperation, targetedconservation strategies, and integration of oceanographic and ecological data will support evidence-based management, contributing to the preservation of Sudan’s marine biodiversity and the resilience of its coastal environments (SHAMS, 2024; IUCN-SSC MTSG, 2021).
