Mukawwar island and Dunganab bay (6801)
Sudan, Africa
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 2001
National site name: Mukawwar island and Dunganab bay
Central coordinates: Latitude: 20.8333, Longitude: 37.2833
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 10
Area of KBA (km2): 1052.6352
Protected area coverage (%): 95.94
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Mukawwar, Mayetib and the Taila islets form a small archipelago lying offshore of the fishing town of Mohammed Qol, on the Red Sea coast north, of Port Sudan. A little to the north lies Dunganab bay, a body of shallow water partially enclosed by a long, narrow spit. There is a small area of mangrove within the bay which is backed by sparsely vegetated coastal dunes. The IBA includes a narrow coastal strip and the mangroves of the bay as well as the archipelago and the shallow coastal waters in between.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that meets the thresholds for at least one criterion described in the Global Standard for the Identification of KBAs.
Additional biodiversity: See Box and Table 2 for key species. In addition, the islands are used as a breeding site by Sterna bengalensis, S. repressa, S. anaethetus and Larus hemprichii. Some 800 pairs of Sterna bengalensis breed on Mukawwar Island and 450 pairs on each of the two Taila islets. Non-bird biodiversity: The islands are important for breeding turtles. Equus africanus (CR) and Dugong dugon (VU) have been recorded from the area.
Delineation rationale: Type 1 marine IBA: suitable for the seaward extension approach.
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The area has been proposed as a protected area. There is some collection of eggs for food by local fishermen.
Additional information
References: Moore and Balzarotti (1983).