Aqaba, July 30 (Petra) - Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) will focus on environmental awareness and sustainable visitor management after Aqaba Marine Reserve (AMR) was officially inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, ASEZA Chairman Shadi Majali said on Thursday.

Majali, in a press conference, said the AMR’s operational strategy currently requires no adjustments, as ASEZA gears gears up to manage a projected surge in visitors.

ASEZA, he stated, is enhancing transit options and marketing strategies to distribute tourist traffic and ease pressure on central beaches while preserving the AMR's delicate marine ecosystem, according to the chairman.

In turn, AMR Director Naser Zawaydeh pointed to the critical role of local divers and fishermen as conservation partners. To protect fish stocks, he noted the reserve enforces a four-month fishing ban during breeding seasons, a global best practice supported by financial compensation for compliant local fishermen.

On their feasibility, he said these conservation efforts have yielded "tangible" results, including increased fish populations and the return of rare marine species not seen in the area for nearly three decades.

He added that fishermen have become "active contributors" to marine conservation by helping rescue sea turtles, dolphins, and other marine life, reporting incidents requiring intervention.

To conserve coral reef species and sustain local diving tourism, according to Zawaydeh, fishing remains restricted within the reserve, though alternative fishing grounds have been designated outside its boundaries to balance economic needs with environmental preservation.

//Petra// HA