Sanganeb Marine National Park and Dungonab Bay – Mukkawar Island Marine National Park

• Financial resources: Need to continue to increase financial resources and commit to maintain ongoing sustainable financing
• Lack of high quality resolution maps that clearly define the boundaries of the property and the buffer zone (resolved)
• Management systems/ management plan: Need to update the management plan for Sanganeb Marine National Park and Dungonab Bay to complete the preparation of an integrated management framework for the whole property 
• Need to establish a code of conduct including formal rules and regulations for all dive operators

N/A

On 30 November 2022, the State Party submitted a state of conservation report, which is available at https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/262/documents/ and reports the following:

• Despite the unstable political situation, the Integrated Management Plan (IMP) (2017-2021) was formally adopted by the Sudanese authorities and 80% was implemented. Since the IMP has expired, a stock-taking exercise, which would serve as a basis for an updated 5-year plan, is warranted; however most of the actions in the IMP remain valid;
• Partnerships with non-governmental, academic and research organizations were key for implementing the IMP and enabled the following: a diving training course, a workshop to review the IMP and identify areas of collaboration, signage, establishment of a mangrove nursery, clean-up campaigns, and GIS mapping;
• A mangrove management and replantation programme is underway. Sea turtle research will inform the design of a sea turtle monitoring programme, to be designed and implemented by the management authority and the NGO Sudanese Development Initiative (SUDIA). A 2022 coral reef survey of the Sudanese Red Sea coastline, in collaboration with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the Norwegian Institute for Marine Research, will provide data on reefs in the property;
• Local communities benefitted from USD 20,000 of micro-finance grants (funded by UNDP), a capacity training for fishermen (organized by the national NGO ‘SOS-Sahel’), a training for a women’s savings and loans association, and a workshop on community-based eco-tourism;
• In 2022, funding was secured from the Sudanese Higher Council for the Environment and Natural Resources (HCENR), the Czech Republic Development Cooperation, and the British Council to strengthen integrated management and improve livelihoods;
• A workshop to develop a code of conduct for diving operations in the property with multiple stakeholders is planned for December 2022. Ecotourism guidelines targeted at diving activities were produced by the Cousteau Society and its Sudanese partners. Although a licensing system is yet to be developed, dive operators require a permit for excursions in the property. Fines for violations are determined. There is a need for resources to monitor implementation for regulations and guidelines;
• Patrolling is ongoing, with a fulltime presence of the Wildlife Conservation General Administration (WCGA) and small boat in Sanganeb Bay, but is extremely limited in Dungonab Bay and Mukkawar Island due to resource challenges;
• Several workshops were organized: addressing gender equality in fisheries and cultural industry (2021), ecosystem approaches to fisheries management (2022), community-based ecotourism (2022), and building educational capacity for conservation (2022);
• No formal permissions have been given by the Red Sea State for the development of a resort inside the property.

In March 2023, the State Party provided further confirmation that, as of 2022, the Management Authority has established a mandatory permit system for tour operators entering the Marine Park, including fees.

There has been no reported negative impact on the property as a result of the armed conflict that erupted in April 2023. Nevertheless, the ensuing instability, which has impacted communities and all sectors of society, is of great concern, and may affect the management capabilities at the property.

While noting that the formal adoption of the IMP was constrained by the unstable political situation, and its implementation by the lack of financial resources, the adoption and implementation of 80% of the IMP is encouraging, and the important support from donors, NGOs, local communities, and research organizations is welcomed. It will be important for the State Party to update the IMP for the next 5-year period, continue its implementation, and secure adequate funding in this regard. Other identified international funding sources should also be pursued further, including to ensure patrolling efforts in all the components of the property.

Recalling the previous concerns regarding activities of international dive operators reportedly causing damage to coral reefs, disturbance to wildlife, and negative impacts on visitor experience, it is positive that ecotourism guidelines for diving activities have been produced, that dive operators require a permit to operate in the property, and that a workshop to develop a written code of conduct for diving operations in the property is in planning following delay. Noting the reported financial constraints and recalling that the establishment of a regular income stream from tourism through a new fee has the potential to help facilitate ongoing funding for the management of the property, the implementation of the new permit system will provide an important source of revenue generation for the property.

The various marine research initiatives including mangroves, coral reefs, and sea turtles are noted with appreciation. Research findings should be used to inform monitoring and management priorities for the property, including as part of the development of the next IMP. It is positive that various expert workshops were held in 2021 and 2022 to strengthen the capacities of staff, teachers, and local communities in the field of conservation, gender equality, fisheries, and ecotourism. It is recommended that the State Party implement the expertise shared and continue building the management capacity for the property through training and knowledge exchange opportunities, both for nature conservation and livelihoods.

The State Party indicated in 2020 that it considered nominating the Sha'ab Roumi Marine Protected Area as an extension to the property. No official request has yet been received by the World Heritage Centre. It should be recalled that any proposed boundary change should be carried out in line with the procedures for boundary modification and/or re-nomination as per the Operational Guidelines, seeking prior technical advice from IUCN if required.

The confirmation that no formal permissions have been given by the Red Sea state for the development of a resort inside the boundaries of the property is welcomed. It is recommended that the Committee reminds the State Party to inform the World Heritage Centre of any intention to undertake or authorize new constructions which may affect the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the property, and to assess any potential impacts on the OUV in line with the Guidance and Toolkit for Impact Assessments in a World Heritage Context, before making any decision that would be difficult to reverse, in accordance with Paragraph 172 of the Operational Guidelines.