Eritrea’s
Pristine Coastal
Environment Is
Significant to Science andTechnology Cooperation

H.E. Mr. Estifanos Afeworki
Ambassador of the State of Eritrea
Africa Fair Commemorative
Symposium
26 March 2016
Tama Zoological Park

Contentsl What is so special about marine and coastal
biodiversity in Eritrea?
l What is the local wisdom about marine andcoastal biodiversity in Eritrea?
l Can science and technology serve the local
wisdom used in preserving this importantbiological zone?

125,000-year-old stone tools from Abdur
discovered in this biological zone are theearliest, best dated evidence of humanoccupation of a coastal environmentl Only 10 islands
support humanpopulation at present,
historical evidence
suggest more islands
where inhabited in thepast;Despite the hot sea surface temperature thisbiological zone is home to the highest degreeof endemic speciesl The coast and 354 off
shore coral islands arehome to globally
important coral reefs,mangroves, sea grasses
and other habitats, aswell as numerous
vulnerable or globallyendangered speciesl The coast and theislands include three
distinct biological zonesof the Red Sea and Gulfof Eden containing aglobally important andunique assemblage ofmarine and coastal
habitats

Eritrea Sea Surface Temperature by ECMIB 	

17% of the 1,400 known fish species and 20%of the 250 coral species - so far recorded in thecoast of Eritrea - are found nowhere elsel Coral reefs: 250 speciesl Sea grasses, sea weeds:
10% of the world speciesl Sea birds, shore birds:
78 species (22 breed inthe islands)l Endangered marine
turtle: 5 species (60species globally)l Endangered Dugong:
350-400 in number foundin the Northern Coastl Dolphins: most commonmammall Endangered Whales:spotted sometimesl Mangroves: about389km
Eritrea’s Territorial Water Fishing Grounds 	

The coast and the islands include 3 distinct biologicalzones of the Red Sea and Gulf of Eden
containing the historical route of mankind and theDanakil depression (Salt Plain)

This biological zone has a distinct geographic,climate range conditions with a natural varietyof eco-system in short distancesl Distinct geographic
features: experiences
sea level (below sealevel) and mountains
reaching 3200 metersl Climate: wide rangeof conditions in shortdistanceUnique Land Cover-rolling acacia woodland, brush land, semi desert vegetation, mangroveswamp, juniper and wild olive, East African Laburnum, native hops andeucalyptus, dense evergreen and tropical woodland, baobab, toothbrush,
woodland savannah, brush land, thicket, groves of doum palml Mainland coastline:
3330 kml Islands and islets
coastline: 1950 kml (Country) Area:
124,000 Km square

Eritrea Land Cover	Sea shore and hinterland landmass ishome for bird nesting and fish breeding

Sea and shore bird nesting sites	This biological zone is also uniquein animal habitatl Cattle in pasturelands:>2,023,830l Sheep in pasturelands:>2,235,39l Goats in pasturelands:>4,894,863l Camels in pasturelands:>450,000l Birds:> 537 identifiedl Is also home to Vervet ,Monkeys, baboons, gazelle,
jackal, hare, fox,mongoose, wild cat,warthog, Dikdiks andDorcas gazelles, Ostrich,
Elephant, Caracal, Serval,
Oryx, Crocodile, Greater
kudu, Endangered Africanass etcChallengesl Climate change, coastal
erosion, sea level risel Studying historical data ofenvironmental evidencel Urbanization andassociated infrastructuresand servicesl Mining, petroleum
extraction, industrial zone
expansion threats etc

What is the local wisdom about marine
and coastal biodiversity in Eritrea?
l A deep respect for all living things and the natural environment
upon which they depend.
l A firm endeavor to make use of the environment in such afashion that no species will disappear as a result of domestic
actions to maintain perpetually an adequate fraction of both theterrestrial and marine environment in their natural state; and toeschew any trade in species of plants or animals threatenedwith extinction.
l A staunch commitment to cooperate with neighboring states
and the world community of nations to protect and enhance theregional environment, the environment of regions beyond
national jurisdiction, and the global biosphere, and a constantdevotion to resolve any environmental or other interstate
dispute solely by amicable means.

Can Eritrea’s Local Wisdom
be used for Global Solutions?
l Formulate joint research projects thatexamine the unique biodiversity of thecoastal areas including the Danakil
Depression.
l Enhance the local wisdom rooted atpreserving the environment through existingscience and technology knowledge base.
l Learn the local wisdom to device state of theart environmental friendly development skills
for the better of our planet.

"Don't Kill Wild Animals”

The Eritrean local wisdom is:"God gives rain for the sake of wildanimals, and if wild animals aredecimated there will be no rain”

For link-up with Eritrea in science, technology
and marine environment collaboration pleasecontact:•••

Zakaria Abdulkerim (PhD) Dean,Massawa College of Marine Science and Technology– P.O. Box 179– Tel:+291-1-541239– Fax:+291-1-540339
MASSAWA/Eritrea
Tadesse Mehari (PhD) ,Executive Director
National Board of Higher Education– P.O.Box 1220
– Tel: 2911-1-161932/161938– Res: 152223– Fax: +291-1-162236/201538
ASMARA/Eritrea
Gebrebrhan Ogubazghi, PhD, Academic Vice President
Mai Nefhi Eritrea Institute of Technology– P.O. Box 5604
ASMARA/Eritrea– Tel:+291-8371120