Impact of tourism and fishing on the coral reef health along the west coast of the Gulf of Aqaba, Red Sea, Egypt

To assess the anthropogenic impact on Egyptian coast of Gulf Aqaba, particularly tourism and fishing influences. Eighteen sites were surveyed from November 2019 to February 2020. At each site, coral cover was determined using Point Intercept Transect (PIT) method, at depths 3 8 m. Also, abundances invertebrate species by belt transect method same for site. Mean percentages corals (hard soft) Dahab sector ranged 16.7 64.0 % 3m, 3.3 56.0 8m. Nuweiba’a, it 7.3 55.3 3m 4.0 30.0 Statistical analyses confirmed that there significant differences in assemblage relation depth sites. A total 78 recorded counted two sectors. Of which, molluscan, Tridacna sp. echinoderms, Echinometra mathaei Diadema setosum found be most abundant sectors as well both depths. In addition, abundance assemblages key varied among Comparison influences showed several observations suggested a moderate decline species, with notable increase algal Nuweiba’a sector.