Abstract
The coral reefs statuses of the Saudi Arabia Red Sea and Gulf of Aqaba coasts have not been assessed since 1990. A comprehensive field survey, funded by King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, was carried out to check the present status of the coral reefs along the northern Red Sea and Gulf of Aqaba coasts. The coral reefs and reef-associated communities were investigated in situ in the field and the results were compared with the previous studies. The study revealed that most reefs in the study area (from Haql to Yanbu) are in good to excellent condition in terms of the ratio of live to dead coral cover. There was little to no direct human impact (e.g. destructive fishing, anchor damage, coral mining or pollution) on the great majority of reefs, other than reefs in urban areas subject to land reclamation, urban run-off and pollution or littering. Most damaged reefs occur in the immediate vicinity of the major coastal cities and towns especially off AlQof, AlWajh and Yanbu. At most sites outside these areas, levels of injury and death of corals were low. No evidence of mass bleaching or other forms of major coral mortality were found during surveys. Most reefs appeared to be in good condition. [Mohammed Saleh Bakur Hariri. The Present Status of the Red Sea Coral Reefs between Haql and Yanbu, Saudi Aarabia. Life Sci J 2012;9(4):3852-3859]. (ISSN:1097-8135). http://www.lifesciencesite.com. 574