The Regional Organization for the Conservation of the Environment of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden (PERSGA), in collaboration with the Higher Council for Environment and Natural Resources (HCENR), organized a national workshop titled: “National Action Plans for the Conservation of Sharks, Turtles, Seabirds, and Marine Mammals in the Republic of Sudan”, held in Port Sudan from 15 to 17 July 2025.
This workshop was conducted as part of the Sustainable Fisheries Development Project in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden (SFISH), which is implemented by PERSGA with support from the World Bank, and in national partnership with the HCENR, represented by the Marine Fisheries Administration.
Objectives
The workshop aimed to present and discuss the national action plans for the conservation and protection of key marine megafauna namely sharks, marine turtles, seabirds, and marine mammals with the participation of relevant stakeholders, to endorse and activate these plans.
Opening Session
The workshop was inaugurated by Dr. Muna Ali, Secretary-General of the Higher Council for Environment and Natural Resources, who emphasized the importance of marine ecosystems and the critical role of marine megafauna in maintaining ecological balance. She stressed the need for environmental monitoring, scientific research, and the integration of national efforts to protect marine resources and ensure their sustainability for present and future generations.
Participants
The workshop gathered around 28 participants representing various concerned institutions, including:
- Higher Council for Environment and Natural Resources
- The Fisheries Research Institute
- Fishermen’s Associations
- Civil society organizations
- Marine Fisheries Administration
- Red Sea University
- Institute of Marine Sciences
- Wildlife
- Several other national bodies and institutions
Workshop Activities
On the final day, participants were divided into working groups to review and provide feedback on the draft action plans. The program also included the screening of several awareness films focused on the targeted marine species.
Key Recommendations
The workshop concluded with a number of important recommendations, most notably:
- Review and update national laws and regulations concerning shark protection in line with scientific and environmental developments.
- Include threatened seabird species in national legislation as a step toward their legal protection.
- Conduct comprehensive field surveys covering seabirds, turtles, and marine mammals to update national databases.
- Support scientific research and encourage specialized studies on threatened species and their habitats.
- Facilitate the exchange of scientific data and results related to regional seabird action plans to enhance regional cooperation.
- Establish a national emergency response unit composed of relevant authorities for prompt action in case of marine wildlife emergencies.
- Strengthen cooperation with local communities by building effective communication networks and encouraging their involvement in marine conservation.
- Implement targeted awareness programs for fishermen about endangered marine species and support related associations.
- Enhance integration with marine protected areas to ensure species conservation within managed zones.
- Integrate marine environmental awareness into school curricula and organize teacher training workshops to raise awareness among students.
- Develop identification guides to identify marine mammals, seabirds, and turtles, and distribute it during workshops and awareness activities.
