Distribution and diversity of fish species along the Sudanese Red Sea coast based on three combined trap and gillnet surveys

A study conducted along the Sudanese Red Sea coast revealed that Dungonab Bay, a protected marine area, exhibits the highest species richness and functional diversity of fish, as well as the highest catch rates when compared to other regions. This suggests that northern areas closer to Dungonab Bay are more pristine than those near Port Sudan, which is closer to major human population centers. The research, spanning three surveys from 2012-2013, used baited traps and gillnets to sample fish assemblages across various reef habitats, providing a critical baseline for understanding biodiversity and fish abundance in this region. These findings underscore the importance of ecosystem-based management to preserve these resources before irreversible impacts occur.

Olsen, E., Axelsen, B. E., Moland, E., Utne-Palm, A. C., Elamin, E. M., Mukhtar, M. A., Saleh, A. M., Elamin, S. M., Iragi, M. A., & Gumaa, S. G. F. (2021). Distribution and diversity of fish species along the Sudanese Red Sea coast based on three combined trap and gillnet surveys. Fisheries Research, 242, 106032. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fishres.2021.106032