The Unfenced Desert Towards a strategy for eco ... - Nwrc.gov.sa

Tracks and roads : Good quality sealed roads run to all major settlement
areas on Farasan Kebir and As-Seqid. Unsealed and sometimes rough tracks
provide access to other sites, across jagged corals or sandy bays.
Other facilities : Farasan Kebir is reached from the mainland by a
daily car and passenger ferry. This service is free, but booking are necessary to
transport vehicles as the ferry capacity is around 20 cars or light trucks. The ferry
runs each day, except Wednesday, but apparently only one way each day. The ferry
trip takes 3 hours; private water-taxis are available for a one hour trip. Farasan town
has a respectable collection of shops providing all basic needs. The town has a
single 2-star equivalent hotel.
Maintenance of facilities : On-site maintenance of NCWCD structure and
equipment is the responsibility of the rangers and their support staff, with support
from local contractors and NCWCD in Riyadh.
Other patrols : Marine patrols and regular visits to other islands
should be an essential part of any future monitoring of the extended marine reserve,
but none operate at present.
Threats to integrity : Expansion of commercial fishing interests threaten
key fish species and the future of traditional artisanal fishing. Gazelles are vulnerable
to hunting or collecting parties from the mainland, while seabirds, nesting turtles and
dugong are sensitive to any forms of development. Coastal development would
threaten the mangroves communities and the integrity of the coral reefs.
Other Stakeholders
Local community identity : The present population numbers around
5,000, over 2,000 of whom live in and around Farasan town, and are of Tihami,
Yemeni and east African origin.
Local economic structure : Fishing remains the principle source of
livelihood for the residents of the islands, either as foreign employees of the Saudi
Fishing Company, or as small-scale artisanal operations by locals. Pearling is no
longer of great economic significance. Some farming and grazing of domestic
livestock persists, but is relatively insignificant. Many people on the islands are
employed by or service the military presence, with around 300 Coast Guard
personnel
Local communities involvement : Services such as petrol, diesel and food and
water supplies obtained locally.
Government ministry involvement : The ministries of Interior and Defence have
authority over the islands, concerned primarily with maintenance of a military
presence in this Red Sea frontier region, and in controlling smuggling and illegal
immigrants.
Regional Infrastructure
Nearest petrol supplies : Farasan town, less than 15km from the port.
Nearest over-night accommodation : Farasan town.
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