Sustainable Coral Reef Construction: Regulatory Code and Environmental Impact Guidelines

Balancing Conservation and Tourism Development in 2000 Kilometers of Fringing Reef Formations

The fringe reef of Egypt's Red Sea has gained significant attention, particularly through its feature in the Netflix documentary "Chasing Coral." This crucial ecosystem lies at the heart of our efforts in developing these guidelines. Continue scrolling down to learn more about this initiative and how it makes a difference.

The intensifying impacts of climate change, combined with other human-induced stresses such as over-tourism, over-diving, overfishing, pollution, and unregulated construction practices in barrier-beach zones, have dramatically increased coral reef degradation and left corals vulnerable to disease, stunting their growth, affecting their reproduction, and often resulting in reef die-off.

Coral reefs, often called the "rainforests of the sea," are some of Earth's most diverse and valuable ecosystems. These underwater structures are formed by colonies of coral polyps held together by calcium carbonate. They occupy less than 0.1% of the world's ocean surface, yet they provide a home for at least 25% of all marine species. Coral reefs play a vital role in maintaining global biodiversity, offering a complex and varied ecosystem for many species to thrive and coastal protection by reducing the power of waves during weather events. Also, reefs contribute significantly to local economies through tourism and fisheries. Recently, there has been increasing research on their potential benefits for human health as a new source of medicines.

Environmental valuation studies often focus on coral reefs to emphasize their conservation value. Estimates of the economic benefits derived from coral reefs vary widely, ranging from a total net annual benefit of around $30-$40 billion, with tourism accounting for approximately 30%, to an estimate of economic goods and services worth about $375 billion annually to Net Present Value (NPV) calculations suggesting values in the trillions of dollars. However, it is important to approach these estimates cautiously as they face challenges in capturing the complexity of coral reef ecosystems and often overlook intangible factors and interconnections. While these studies provide a useful framework for appreciating and understanding the economic value associated with coral reefs, they may not fully encompass the entirety of their contributions, risk exploitation by merely placing a monetary value, and fail to recognize their intrinsic and non-monetary value to humanity.

According to the World Wildlife Fund, approximately 75% of the world's coral reefs are threatened by local and global pressures. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change projects that 70-90% of coral reefs could disappear over the next 20 years due to increasing CO2 emissions and temperature rise. Additionally, destructive fishing practices, unregulated tourism, and coastal development contribute to reef destruction, causing significant biodiversity loss and economic devaluation, impacting communities reliant on them.

Barrier reefs and fringe reefs are distinct types of coral reef formations. The Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the Red Sea Coral Reef exemplify these formations, respectively. They are important in coastal protection, absorbing wave energy, and reducing erosion. However, their presence, particularly fringe reefs, can challenge tourism development. Fringe reefs, located close to the shore, come with shallow reef flats that hinder traditional beach tourism due to the distance from the shore and deeper water, typically around 30 meters deep. In the northern Red Sea, fringing reefs have widths ranging from 25 to 150 meters. In specific areas, such as between Marsa Alam and Shalatein, fringing reefs can extend further offshore, exceeding 0.5 kilometers. Along the Egyptian Red Sea coastline, the reef flats of fringing reefs cover nearly 2000 square kilometers with an average width of 250 meters. They necessitate careful management, as they not only impose restrictions on accessibility, but their sea-facing walls are also vulnerable to damage from boat anchors, hulls, and propellers. Thoughtful management practices are required to protect these delicate ecosystems while allowing sustainable tourism development.

A study of existing and proposed construction on reef flats on the Egyptian Red Sea estimates just under 400 structures that project from the beach into the water serving as a walkway, lagoon or swimming water access, or boat jetties.

OHK responded to this risk by developing the guidelines and best practices for building in coral reef environments. The purpose of these guidelines is to minimize the negative impact on coral reefs and their associated ecosystems during the construction and operation of construction projects. It's important to note that specific guidelines and regulations may vary depending on the country or region. The work we developed had specific applicability to Red Sea corals but can be applied elsewhere. We consulted local environmental authorities, marine scientists, and environmental consultants who were familiar with the specific coral reef ecosystem in question. The guidelines focused on the following aspects:

1. Comprehensive Zoning Plans: The guidelines incorporate the zoning plans of the Red Sea, which designate specific zones with varying levels of protection. The guidelines ensure that construction and operation align with the zoning requirements of various coral reef areas along the coastline. The guidelines incorporated sensitivity mapping to identify areas of high ecological importance and sensitivity, enabling the selection of suitable locations for construction that minimize impacts on coral reefs and other sensitive habitats. The guidelines have coded locations avoiding areas with high coral cover, sensitive habitats, or high biodiversity. No construction can occur in areas outside those determined in the guidelines’ location selections.

2. Structural Design Considerations: The guidelines provide detailed recommendations for designing construction works to minimize physical impacts on coral reefs. This includes using materials and construction techniques that minimize direct contact with coral and incorporating adjustable heights to accommodate sea level changes.

3. Environmental Impact Assessment: Before constructing a coral reef area, conducting a thorough environmental impact assessment (EIA) to evaluate the potential effects on the reef ecosystem is important. This assessment should include studies on water quality, sedimentation, coral health, and the overall biodiversity of the area. The guidelines emphasize the need for post-construction monitoring to assess the ecological impacts on coral reefs. Additionally, management plans should be developed to address any detected impacts and ensure the long-term sustainability of the ecosystem. Part of the guidelines was passed as environmental code and regulations during all stages of development, including obtaining the necessary permits and licenses from relevant authorities.

4. Design Considerations: The design should incorporate features that minimize physical impacts on the reef ecosystem. This may include avoiding direct contact with coral, using pile foundations instead of continuous concrete platforms, and incorporating adjustable height mechanisms to accommodate sea-level changes.

5. Sediment Management: Construction activities often increase sedimentation, which can harm corals. The guidelines focus on effective sediment and erosion control measures during the construction and maintenance phases. This includes using sediment traps, silt curtains, and erosion control barriers to prevent sediment runoff and minimize impacts on water quality.

6. Ongoing Monitoring and Management: The guidelines emphasize the importance of ongoing monitoring and management to ensure long-term sustainability and minimize impacts on the reef ecosystem. Regular monitoring of water quality, sedimentation, and coral health is required, and appropriate management actions should be taken if negative changes are detected. A tool was included in the guidelines to aid with regular maintenance and monitoring for the continued integrity of the construction and the potential impacts on the coral reef ecosystem, detect any negative changes, and take appropriate action. The guidelines advocate for an adaptive management approach, which involves ongoing monitoring, assessment, and adjustment of management strategies as needed. This allows for the flexibility to address any unforeseen impacts or changes in the reef ecosystem and implement corrective measures accordingly.

7. Water Quality Management: Construction and operation of jetties can impact water quality, potentially leading to increased turbidity, pollution, or sedimentation. Implement measures to manage stormwater runoff, treat wastewater, and prevent fuel or chemical spills.

8. Stakeholder Engagement: The guidelines highlight the importance of engaging local communities, stakeholders, and relevant agencies throughout the construction planning, construction, and operation phases. This ensures that local knowledge and concerns are considered and promotes community participation and ownership. The guidelines encourage the active participation of local communities in decision-making processes, ensuring that their perspectives and traditional knowledge are considered during jetty planning and construction.

9. Coral Rehabilitation and Transplantation: In cases where coral is directly impacted by the construction and the construction cannot be avoided, the guidelines include coral rehabilitation and transplantation measures. This involves carefully removing and relocating corals to suitable areas to mitigate the direct impacts of construction.

10. Public Access and Safety: The guidelines balance public access and safety considerations. They outline design elements to ensure safe pedestrian access, appropriate lighting, and the incorporation of educational signage to inform visitors about the importance of coral reefs and the need to protect them.

The guidelines were established with a key objective of preventing severe damage to the reef systems along the Red Sea coastline, similar to what happened in the city of Hurghada. Prior to the implementation of these guidelines, the area had experienced significant damage to its coral reefs. According to studies and reports, it is estimated that Hurghada's reef systems suffered a decline in coral cover by approximately 50% since resort construction began in the 1980s. This substantial loss of coral cover has had significant ecological consequences, including reductions in biodiversity, habitat degradation, and negative impacts on the overall health and resilience of the reef ecosystems. The guidelines aim to address these past damages and provide a framework for sustainable and responsible construction practices to safeguard the remaining coral reef resources on the Red Sea coastline and prevent further degradation. Photo shows Hurghada reef destruction from resort development.

The guidelines addressed various types of construction in coral reef areas encompassing a range of structures from pile foundations to raised platforms to jetties, mooring buoys, underwater cables and pipelines, and seawalls and breakwaters as protective barriers and artificial reefs integration into jetty projects, providing additional habitat for marine life and supporting biodiversity. Through these diverse structural approaches, the guidelines ensured that all types of construction respected and protected coral reef environments while meeting each project's functional needs.

The Red Sea, particularly off the coast of Egypt, has recently been acknowledged as the "Great Fringing Reef of the Red Sea." This recognition is due to its standing as one of the world's most crucial reef systems, potentially the most climate-tolerant coral reef globally. Despite its environmental pressures, this reef still harbors the potential to survive and thrive, provided it receives the protection it urgently needs. A collaborative initiative led by HEPCA, the Egyptian NGO Hurghada Environmental Protection and Conservation Association (HEPCA) responsible for dive sites and mooring buoys installation, an early adopter of OHK’s guidelines, and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the 50 Reefs initiative, aims to safeguard this essential ecosystem— 50 Reefs initiative was conceived by The Ocean Agency during the filming of the Netflix Original Documentary, "Chasing Coral” as a global initiative, in partnership with the Global Change Institute at The University of Queensland and the Wildlife Conservation Society, funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies, The Tiffany & Co. Foundation, and Paul G. Allen Philanthropies. As we look to the future, protecting the Great Fringing Reef of the Red Sea represents hope for the region and the global community. With the right measures and collective efforts, we can safeguard this precious ecosystem and ensure its resilience to climate change.

The full documentary has been made available by Netflix.

Oceanographer Sylvia Earle's campaign to save the world's oceans from threats, Mission Blue, has spotlighted Red Sea efforts. “The Great Fringing Reef of the Red Sea in Egypt is a world-renowned coral reef system supporting a brilliant cornucopia of marine life. These reefs, especially those in the Northern Red Sea in Egypt, are unique, having been identified as some of the most climate-tolerant in the world (as identified by the 50 Reefs scientific study, among others). Scientists believe that the Great Fringing Reef of the Red Sea still has the potential to survive the currently projected ocean temperature rising and could be the key to repopulating surrounding reefs, with the possibility of eventually pulling corals from the edge of near-extinction. About 50% of the reefs of Egypt’s Great Fringing Reef live within marine protected areas. Still, Richard Vevers, CEO of The Ocean Agency, and Dr. Mahmoud Hanafy, Chief Scientist of Hurghada Environmental Protection and Conservation Association (HEPCA), are hoping to see the Egyptian government commit to protecting the remaining half of reefs given the country’s commitment to COP27, the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Sharm el Sheikh.” Learn more about The Great Fringing Reef of the Red Sea (a 50 Reefs site), HEPCA, and Mission Blue efforts in the Red Sea. information and videos presented are attributed to their respective sources.

OHK piloted the use of the guidelines in practice. We collaborated with the Paris-based design studio O4 Publica by developing a unique and pioneering public space installation along the coastline of the Red Sea. This installation is a landmark project celebrating coral reefs while showcasing effective reef protection and rehabilitation methods. To learn about this project, visit The Red Sea Revival: An Installation for Hope and Awareness.

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