Feature story - June 28, 2006
Millions of tourists flock to Egypt every year for diving in the Red Sea where coral reefs along much of the coast support a colourful and diverse range of species - including dolphins, sharks, manta rays, turtles and dugongs. The direct impact of all this attention is, by and large, being managed relatively successfully thanks to conscientious divers, local conservation efforts and government programs. But the much bigger problem, out of control coastal development, threatens thousands of kilometres of fringing reef.
Dugong feeding at the seabed, Red Sea. Dugongs live in various locations around the globe this slow swimming vegetarian sea mammal along with its American relative the Manatee is severely threatened with extinction.
Silt runoff from irresponsible construction projects, sewage
dischargeand outright bull dozing are daily taking their toll on
these naturaltreasures. Already some 3 million cubic meters of
coral reef hasbeen land filled, and vast new seaside construction
projects are in theworks. The entire south coast from El Quseir to
Marsa Alam isbasically being parcelled out for development with no
realenvironmental oversight.
Elsewhere along Egypt's coast the picture is much brighter,
thanks tosubstantial marine reserves. One positive example, the Ras
Mohammednational park, has become a world famous dive destination
and itsnetwork of marine reserves has created increased income from
tourism,fishing and other sustainable uses while helping preserve
the reefs andother habitats. In fact, its success convinced the
EgyptianEnvironmental Affairs Agency to demand the protection of
all Egypt'scoral reefs.
And yet, the wanton overdevelopment goes ahead. Therefore,
aspart of the Defending Our Oceans tour the Esperanza is in
Egyptsupporting the work of a local environmental group, the
HurghadaEnvironmental Protection and Conservation Association
(HEPCA). HEPCA gets its name from the city of Hurghada - which has
a populationof 250,000, some 2.5 million visitors each year, and a
tragic recenthistory of destructive costal development along its
fringingreef.
We aim to help HEPCA insure long-term planning, conservation
andsustainable development wins out over short-term greed. To
thatend, HEPCA is inviting all stakeholders, such as potential
futuretourists, to sign the El
Quseir Chartaacknowledging that we all share responsibility for
our marinehabitats. If you plan to visit Egypt you can also help
bypracticing responsible diving; and asking hotels, tour operators
anddive centres what they are doing to ensure the natural beauty
you arevisiting for will be there for future generations.
See the Red Sea slideshow.
Protect Red Sea coral (HEPCA's website)
Support work by activists in Egypt to protect costal ecosystems. Sign the El Quseir Charta. (HEPCA's website)