Coral reef monitoring and conservation

30.09.03 – 06.10.03 Sharm el Sheikh

Team Scientist: J/Prof. Dr. Gert Wörheide

Six dedicated divers from Germany followed team scientist Gert Wörheide to Sharm el Sheik, September 30 2003 to October 05 2003. Besides Gert Wörheide, who has been involved in Reef Check in this region since 1997, it was the first Reef Check campaign for all volunteers. Due to excellent preparation at home, only brief training and familiarization with Reef Check procedures was necessary on site. During the 5 days of diving, three transects were checked at Ras Ghozlani (Ras Mohamed National Park), Jackson Reef (Straits of Tiran) and Ras Bob (close to Naama Bay). A planned check at Yolanda Reef (Ras Mohamed) could not be performed because the transect line (with a brand-new reel!) was stolen from the site. The end of September is peak season for this highly popular dive region and recreational divers were always present at or near the Reef Check sites, often swimming through the transect. Without the extensive help and cooperation of the guides and staff from Sinai Divers, our local partners, this successful trip would not have been possible! All team members enjoyed a nice and very memorable Reef Check trip to a still very beautiful dive area.

Fish team at work in Ras Bob:
front: Friederike Hoffmann
back: Kathrin Bendixen
(Photo: © Gert Wörheide)

Team scientist Gert Wörheide at the substrate transect in 10m (with plumb line!) in Ras Bob.
(Photo © Gert Wörheide)

Team at data entry in the evening in the Ghazala Hotel. from left: Possner, Imkemeyer, Priess, at the iBook: Hoffmann. (Photo: © Gert Wörheide)