The Zoning Plan was prepared on the basis of all previously existing studies on the archipelago and extensive fieldwork as well as data collection carried out on-site by the GEF Socotra Project. This research ran parallel to an extensive consultation process with local communities throughout the archipelago. The main steps that led to the formulation of the Zoning Plan are outlined below.

Baseline Surveys
Over sixty Yemeni and international experts from a wide range of regional and international institutions joined forces with the project team in what was the largest effort ever performed towards the inventory and mapping of terrestrial and marine biodiversity of the archipelago. The survey effort covered the islands of Socotra, Abd Al Kuri, Samha, Darsa and all other rock outcrops of the archipelago. The Royal Botanic Gardens of Edinburgh, UK, and the Senkenberg Institute - Hariri and Associates were contracted by the GEF Biodiversity Project to design and implement the above surveys, in close collaboration with the local project team. Birdlife International was responsible to design and implement bird surveys with support from the Darwin Initiative programme, in conjunction with the local project team. Other institutions involved were: Aden University, Yemen; Sana'a University, Yemen; AREA, Taiz, Sana'a and Dhamar, Yemen; Ibb University, Yemen; Marine Science Research Institute, Aden and Mukalla, Yemen; Institute of Fisheries Training, Aden, Yemen; the Marine Science Station, University of Jordan and Yarmouk University, Aqaba, Jordan; NCWCD Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA); Australian Institute of Marine Science, Australia; Red Sea University, Sudan; School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor, UK; PERSGA, Jeddah, KSA; University of Gent, Belgium; Institute of Biodiversity and Environment Conservation, University of Malaysia, Sarawak, Malaysia; German Museum of Oceanography, Stralsund, Germany; University of Darmstadt, Germany; Rostok University, Germany; Museum fur Tierkundie, Dresden, Germany; Tropical Herbarium of the University of Florence, Italy; Faculty of Zoology and faculty of Tropical Agriculture , University of Florence, Italy; Institute of Zoology, University of Rome, Italy.

The basis of all such surveys was the comprehensive review of all previously existing scientific studies on the terrestrial and marine environment, biodiversity and people of the archipelago, conducted by Yemeni and international researchers. Extensive terrestrial and marine field surveys were then carried out, significantly increasing the knowledge base through discovery of large numbers of new species and other important findings. Preliminary results were used to design the Conservation Zoning Plan for the archipelago. The final scientific results of the above work are being prepared for publication in two special volumes of the Fauna of Arabia, and other scientific journals.

Establishment of Close Links with Local Community and Local Authorities
The GEF Socotra Project recruited thirty-four Socotri environmental extension officers from all parts of the archipelago who served as a constant direct link between the Project and the local communities. The recruitment process, carried out at the outset of the Project, was very important as it helped build trust between the local people and the Project team. Traditional community rules were taken into consideration, and village meetings were always a first step aimed at involving local leaders (Sheikhs and Muqaddams) as well as entire communities in the identification of appropriate extension officer in their area. In most cases communities reached a consensus and indicated the person they felt should serve as their environmental extension officer. In some cases the Project team was asked to select among a few candidates where communities could not reach consensus.

Once trained, extension officers collected vital information on the status of the environment in their respective areas. They organized village meetings on a regular basis, relaying information on Project objectives and activities at the local level. The officers also provided feedback from the community to the Project team. This entailed close supervision of each officer's work, as the tasks assigned to them represented in most cases a significant challenge when compared to their previous jobs or roles in the community. The Project team held regular meetings with all representatives of the local authorities in the main villages of Socotra to exchange views and guide the formulation of the Zoning Plan.

Data Collected Through Environmental Extension Officers
A significant amount of daily fishery records and bi-monthly reports on the status of terrestrial habitats were collected by the network of Environmental Extension Officers during the Project period. This provided an unprecedented picture of current natural resource use and environmental issues throughout the archipelago. Notably, this data collection ensured that the protection and management of marine and terrestrial target areas started with the support of local fishermen and authorities.

Ecotourism Study
An international expert assisted in the development of a draft ecotourism development plan. The expert visited the archipelago twice in one year. The local team worked closely with the expert to identify areas of high ecotourism potential. Together they produced guidelines for the development of environmentally-friendly tourism infrastructure. This effort formed an integral part of the zoning plan.