Effect of Anthropogenic Activities on Coral Distribution at Onshore and Offshore Reefs Along the Egyptian Coast, Red

Abstract: Using SCUBA diving, Line Intercept Transect (LIT) and under water digital camera coral distribution at onshore and offshore reefs was surveyed in respect to the effect of anthropogenic activities. Four sites were selected during this study. The onshore sites comprised Ras Gharib Petroleum Company (site 1), impacted by oil pollution, and Old Al-Qusyer Harbour (site 2) impacted by phosphate shipping. While, the offshore sites were chosen at Small Gifton Island (site 3), and Abu Ramad Island (site 4); each was impacted by diving activities. The present results showed that, 70 species belonging to 23 genera, distributed within 18 families were recorded at the studied sites, of which, 26 species have massive lifeform, 23 branching, 5 encrusting, 6 solitary and only 2 species belong hydrocorals. In addition, 7 species of a hermatypic corals were also recorded. The present study indicated that, either onshore or offshore reefs showed coral decline, but onshore reefs have more degradations. The highest percent cover of dead corals was 29.1 % and 34.4 %, recorded at onshore reefs, sites 1and 2, respectively. On contrast, the lowest percent cover was 28.1 % and 4.4%, detected at offshore reefs of sites 3 and 4, respectively