Cenesta

Download report (in English): Qeshm Island and adjacent coastal and marine areas.
This report includes the following biodiversity databases:

These lists have been produced using field data and observation, interviews with community elders and animators and literature survey.

Download report (in Persian).

Download report (in Persian).

Ecologically or Biologically Significant Marine Areas (EBSAs) report (in English): Area no. 9: Qeshm Island and adjacent marine and coastal areas.

Qeshm Island (northern Persian Gulf)
Location: Qeshm Island (Hormozgan Province)

Main characteristics:

400 km of coastline;
Traditional fishermen of Qeshm Island, settled, native languages include Bandari, Arabic; Persian understood, as is Urdu and sometimes English;
Sheelat has had jurisdiction over natural resources in the Persian Gulf since this State Fisheries Corporation established;
Fishing to sustain livelihoods in the sea; pearl diving has been a part of the activities traditionally, and marine mammals are also part of the conservation practiced. The practices have been highly conserving of the sea, coastal zones, and the coral reefs, and the communities’ interest in preserving its conservation and sustainable practices has been very high. The sea and its resources also have spiritual and cultural values for people of Qeshm Island, including a sea-related spiritual and ethno-psychiatric cult of “Zar” which is common to the entire northwest Indian Ocean, the Horn of Africa and the rest of East Africa;
Elders and community leaders (Most skilled fishermen) are engaged in the governance of the natural resources;
At present fisheries is legally under Sheelat control;
Fishing + marine trade, boat making, and other activities are a part of this unique bio-cultural environment;
Support by UNDP/GEF/SGP has helped the engagement of the DOE and the Special Free Economic Zone Authority in the recognition of the ICCAs including mangrove forests.