Socotra Archipelago

UNESCO World Heritage site and Man and the Biosphere Reserve (designated marine protected area in 1996; biosphere reserve 2003). The archipelago contains numerous marine and terrestrial protected zones managed by the Socotra/Environment Protection Authority; sea cucumber harvesting by non-Socotri investors has been stopped and import/export of living materials requires a special EPA permit. Conservation rules restrict damaging activities; no published authorisation for recreational spearfishing.