Eritrea's Coastal Marine and Island Biodiversity Conservation Project

In general, availability of potable groundwater is limited and it is worst in the southern section of the Red Sea Coast. When available, groundwater at
the coast is widely utilized as a source of water supply for domestic purposes (human and livestock consumption), based on dug wells with masonry
lining or shallow temporary open wells to extract water from alluviums of wadi bottoms and banks.
Groundwater salinity increases towards the coast, mainly due to low recharge rate towards the coast. In the Southern Part, major faults in the basement
rocks associated with the formation of the Red Sea rift valley, acts as pathways along which deep circulating brackish and saline groundwater returns
to the surface.
Nevertheless, there is a need for a complete survey of the availability of water all along the coast and on the islands in order to plan for sustainable
development, sharing the existing between essential activities and looking for other options for potential growth of the population and activities along
the coast. Cities, islands, the potential development of tourism and of the Free Trade Zones in Massawa and Assab are the main areas of concern not
only for supply of freshwater, but also for the treatment of sewage water, allowing the reuse of water and limiting the pollution of the groundwater. The
main option to explore is desalination.
2.3. Agricultural activities
Agriculture forms one of the main economic bases for the Eritrean coastal communities. Nevertheless, due to the low level of precipitation, cultivation
mainly relies on spate irrigation systems but supports significant production over many of the Zula and Sheib areas communities. Most importantly, the
majority of the coastal communities’ agricultural practices rely on livestock which is the single most economically viable sector.
2.3.1. Soils and soil association
Areas suitable for agriculture are usually concentrated in the southern central highlands and in the South-West part of the country. However, soil
shallowness and permeability reduces the advancement of agricultural in significant portions of these areas. Shallowness is mostly the result of
intensive farming and subsequent soil degradation, especially in the highlands.
Soils around the coastal zone have dusty and salty natures and are unfavorable for agricultural practices. They are very poor, being described as highly
saline solonchaks with no agricultural potential. However, where temporary rivers carve through the mountains to the coastal plains, such as at Bada,
Zula, Sheib and Wadi Labka areas, fertile alluvial soil support the livelihoods of local communities through seasonal cultivation.
Little research has been carried out on coastal erosion and sea intrusion. Nevertheless, in relation with the low level of sediment transported by rivers,
one can expect spontaneous transformation of the coast structure, and subsequently effect on oceanographic conditions (tides, waves, currents, storms).
State of the Coast Eritrea, 2006-2007 10