Inventory of Soft Corals in the Gulf of Aqaba

Objectives: The UNDP project "Enhancing Coastal Ecosystem Biodiversity and Resilience in the Gulf of Aqaba" aims to bolster marine biodiversity and ecosystem resilience through Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) in the Jordanian Gulf of Aqaba (GoA-J). The project's focus is on conserving coral reef ecosystems, crucial for biodiversity, ecotourism, and coastal protection, by implementing artificial reefs, marine biodiversity monitoring, and a soft coral inventory. This survey aims to comprehensively assess soft coral species in the region, establishing a baseline for diversity, supporting biodiversity monitoring, and enhancing sustainability of artificial reefs, thereby contributing to regional and global conservation efforts and UNDP's mission of marine biodiversity resilience and local community engagement.