The Aqaba Marine Reserve and UNDP-Jordan Add Divers to Reef Check Monitoring Team

By Prof. Dr. Mohammed M. A. Kotb, Reef Check Egypt and Jordan Coordinator

The Aqaba Marine Reserve-AMP hosted a Reef Check EcoDiver Training in Aqaba, Jordan in December 2024 with the cooperation of Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority-ASEZA and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)-Jordan. The training of local divers is part of an AMP and UNDP marine environmental program to raise awareness and knowledge about coral reefs and to build up another team of qualified divers for further reef monitoring activities of the Jordanian Red Sea coast.

The training was funded by UNDP, designed and supervised by Prof. Dr. Mohammed M. Kotb (Reef Check Course Director and Reef Check Coordinator of Egypt and Jordan), and operated by Mr. Mohammad Al-Tawaha of UNDP-Jordan.

Twenty trainees from different professional backgrounds took part in the specialized course to become certified as Reef Check EcoDivers. The participants represented instructors and divemasters from local dive centers, the marine reserve team, related NGOs, research institutions, and youth initiatives including Aqaba Marine Reserve, Marine Science Station, Red Sea Diving Center, Shark Bay Dive Center, Aqaba Society for Environmental Sustainability, Blue Team, Project Sea, UNDP Jordan, and the local communities.

Similar trainings were held in 2016 and 2018, the latter marking a huge milestone as it entailed the participation of two female divers. Now Jordan has more certified female divers who are trained and well-equipped with knowledge and skills related to check the health of coral reefs of Aqaba.

Thanks goes out to the high motivation and interest of all participants and the organization and logistics performed by AMP and UNDP-Jordan. In addition, the support provided by the Aqaba Marine Park managed by Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) is highly appreciated.