9 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Egypt’s mangroves produce a broad range of closely linked socio-economic and economic benefits. The main types of socio-economic benefits include:

• providing fodder for browsing animals, particularly in times of drought;

• small scale direct fisheries;

• indirect fishery support;

• job and income opportunities through recreation and tourism;

• aesthetic and landscape value for local communities;

• cultural and heritage value;

• indirect benefits from shoreline protection; and

• indirect benefits from sediment regulation.

There economic benefits associated with Egypt’s mangroves are summarised in Table 14 below. This highlights the possible range of current values per hectare per year where monetary values can be estimated. Where monetary valuation has not been possible, it indicates whether values are likely to be high or low. In addition, the table states the extent to which values at some sites may vary. Where values vary site to site, a range of values is provided, whereas where values are consistent between sites, a single value is given. It should be noted that generally most values are highly site specific, in which case a range of values is given. Note that few sites have all the values associated with them, and no sites have all of the maximum values. Therefore, one cannot simply add the maximum value for all sites.

Table 14 Summary of current and potential values of Egypt’s mangroves

Notes: * For the current value estimate column, where no monetary values are estimated, “low” may be in the order of US$10s/ha/yr, medium may be US$ 100s/ha/yr and high may be US$ 1,000s/ha/yr.
** Much of these values are included in recreation/tourism and non-use value estimates.
*** Only appropriate for small areas of mangroves in highly developed locations.
**** Non-use value may vary from site to site, but due the high uncertainty of this value, the overall value could range anywhere between US$ 350 and US$ 100,000/ha/yr, with a best estimate of US$ 13,000/ha/yr.

The highest values relate to recreation, followed by landscape value, non-use value, fisheries, shoreline protection and sediment regulation. However, all the values are highly site specific. Care must also be taken to avoid double counting (for example, one cannot necessarily add together landscape and recreation values at any one site).

Estimates of the total value of benefits produced at Ras Mohammed and Nabq are shown in Table 15. Compared to other mangroves, the recreation value per hectare for mangroves at Ras Mohammed could certainly be amongst the highest in the World, due to the high visitor numbers and small area of mangroves.

Table 15 Estimated Total Economic Value of mangroves at Ras Mohammed and Nabq

Notes: Based on Ras Mohammed mangroves being 2 ha, and Nabq mangroves being 52.5 ha and 7 km long.
* Partly income related benefits.
** Potential cost saving related benefits.
*** General welfare related benefits (highly speculative and unreliable estimates).
**** Value reduced by 1/3 due to a proportion of mangroves not directly connected with sea.

The extent of mangroves in Egypt has decreased significantly over the past few hundred years. This is particularly related to land clearance for coastal development and cutting of mangroves for a variety of purposes. Destruction of mangroves has been curtailed by law; however, they still suffer from a range of impacts. In particular, excessive browsing and interference with hydrodynamics affects the health of the mangroves. Solid waste is the most common problem, but is more of an aesthetic issue. The potential threat of oil spills and damage from tourism are also cause for concern, however, they can be controlled and mitigated against to some degree.

9.1 Recommendations

High priority recommendations include:

• The socio-economic and economic values and recommendations highlighted in this report need to be incorporated within the mangrove management and development programme.

• The values estimated in this study are provisional estimates only, based on numerous assumptions. Further, more detailed environmental valuation studies should be conducted to establish more accurate values for all of the key values identified.

• There is inadequate information on the links between mangroves and local communities, particularly relating to camel browsing. The extent to which it occurs, its significance in terms of value and its significance in terms of adverse impact needs to be explored further. Alternative fodder provision options and camel exclusion schemes should be investigated.

• The potential recreation and non-use value of Egypt’s mangroves will increase over time. This process should be expedited through conducting a carefully designed and targeted public awareness and education campaign to inform local communities, the general public and visitors with respect to what mangroves are and why they are so important.

• It is also strongly recommended that a suitable questionnaire survey is conducted to determine people’s values for mangroves. This could be undertaken in conjunction with determining the value of other habitats too, and should be targeted at the Egyptian public and visitors.

• The potential recreation value at many sites has yet to be realised. Careful planning and management of recreation activities at selected mangrove sites may be appropriate.

• The following recreation related studies and actions should be carried out:

• Visitor attitude and willingness to pay valuation surveys at Ras Mohammed and Nabq to determine the full value of the site and assess how the components of value are made up.

• Undertake potential demand studies for mangrove tourism at other sites. These must be designed by experts to ensure that appropriate information is provided to visitors in the questionnaire.

• Consider what types of facilities are required to enhance the value and protect mangroves from recreational problems.

• Provide a simple leaflet on mangroves for tour guides and visitors.

• Consider increased Park fees if more of the money could be put back into management of the site. This would of course require careful consultation and implementation.

• The potential genetic and pharmaceutical values of Egypt’s mangroves should be explored further.

• The health of mangroves at Marsa Shakraa should be investigated, and an appropriate management plan developed. This would require assessment of the coastal road and its impact on hydrological conditions at the site.

• Mangroves that are experiencing stress from man-made structures affecting hydrological conditions and from excessive camel browsing should be investigated, and appropriate management strategies adopted.

Medium priority recommendations include:

• The potential use of Egypt’s mangroves for genetic and pharmaceutical purposes should be further explored, Low cost approaches (e.g. through University research) to assess the potential should be encouraged, with an assessment of potential costs and benefits.

• The possibility of introducing apiculture should be further considered, but the economic viability and all potential impacts must be thoroughly assessed.

• If other mangrove sites are to become part of a National Park or Managed Reserve, it will be important to have more detailed information about current fishing levels in and around the mangroves and reef flats.

• Explore the opportunity to develop small scale aquaculture practices within or near mangrove areas.

• Consider creating more bird watching facilities, (e.g. bird hides near important feeding and nesting areas).

• Undertake a comprehensive study undertaken on the links between mangroves and both commercial and subsistence fisheries in Egypt.

Lower priority recommendations include:

• The potential uses of and demand for Rhizophora and Avicennia non-wood products should be explored, but only if it would be feasible to harvest them (or parts of them) legally on sustainable basis.

• The amount of mangrove wood taken by local communities and Bedouin should be monitored and/or surveyed in the south of Egypt.

• More data and monitoring of fish catches in and around mangroves may be useful.

• Planting and restoration of mangroves could be considered in locations where conditions are appropriate, and where addition green vegetation will provide an enhanced landscape.

• Undertake studies into the links between mangroves and other habitats and species. In particular, focus on the links between mangroves and birds.

• Problems of erosion elsewhere along the coast could be investigated, and the potential role of mangroves could be considered.