A Sea, a Canal, a Disaster: The Suez Canal and the Transformation of the Mediterranean Biota

Abstract

AbstractThe introduction of non-native species is among the main direct drivers of biodiversity change. Off the Israeli coast 445 non-native species were recorded thus far, more than anywhere in the Mediterranean Sea. The number of recorded introductions has been rising inexorably, tripling since the 1970s. Nearly all have been introduced through the ever-enlarged Suez Canal. Worldwide there is no other vector of marine bioinvasions that delivers as high a propagule supply for so long to a certain locale. Once established, the non-native species are unlikely to be contained or controlled and their impacts are irreversible. The Canal-introduced species form prominent micro-communities and biological facies in most littoral habitats, some have been documented to displace or reduce populations of native species, alter community structure and food webs, change ecosystem functioning and the consequent provision of goods and services—profound ecological impacts that undermine the goals of sustainable blue economy in the Mediterranean Sea.These species have been spreading throughout the Mediterranean Sea while the Israeli shelf serves as a hotspot, beachhead, and dispersal hub. Their spatial and temporal spread has advanced concurrently with successive enlargements of the Suez Canal, rise in mean seawater temperature, and prevalence, duration, and severity of marine heat waves increase. The invasion poses a challenge to the environmental ethics and policies of the Mediterranean countries. As signatories to the Convention on Biological Diversity these countries are required to prevent the introduction of, control or eradicate alien species which threaten ecosystems, habitats or species (Article 8(h)), and ensure that the environmental consequences of their policies that are likely to have significant adverse effects on biological diversity are taken into account (Article 14.1). The present Egyptian government is in a position to reduce future introductions. Egypt announced the development of 35 desalination plants, of which the first 17 plants will add 2.8 million m3 daily capacity. It is suggested that an environmental impact assessment evaluates the environmental and economic consequences of utilizing the brine effluents from the large-scale desalination plants constructed in the vicinity of the Suez Canal to restore the salinity barrier once posed by the Bitter Lakes.