The Red Sea Coral Reef Conservation Pilot Project, Egypt- Overview
Added to website: 01 January 2006
Project History
In May 2005, senior science personnel from the CCC Society Red Sea Conservation Liveaboard, met with the Hurghada Environmental Protection Association (HEPCA), the Egyptian NGO concerned with the sustainable use of natural resources in the Red Sea, to discuss conservation issues in the region. As a result of these discussions, a request was made for CCC assistance to determine the current status of the reefs, threats and possible conservation initiatives in the region.
Project Objectives
Survey results from this pilot project will highlight areas of key biodiversity and hence provide a scientific rationale for future ecosystem management to meet the dual needs of economic development and biodiversity conservation.
Research Area
The proposed survey area for the Red Sea Coral Reef Conservation Pilot Project is the fringing reefs and pinnacles supporting reefal development accessed from Marsa Alam. This area is rich in relatively unspoilt reef systems but is potentially threatened by anthropogenic damage caused by uncontrolled and unmitigated development. The impacting agents include increased loading of nutrients resulting from inappropriate waste water handling facilities, the inundation of the reef systems with sediments mobilised by near-shore construction and land reclamation activities. Additionally an active tourism industry with poor operations management can directly damage reefs by inappropriate anchoring practices and physical contact by divers and snorkellers.
Project Base
The project’s headquarters will be located at Um Tondoba Eco-lodge, 14 Km South of Marsa Alam, overlooking the Red Sea Shore. Accommodation will either be in African-style huts with reed roofs, or in traditional Beduin tents dependent on the number of individuals present on site at any time.
Project Partners and Supporters
CCC is working in partnership with Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency of the Ministry of State for Environmental Affairs and the Hurghada Environmental Protection and Conservation Agency.
Video Clip Video footage of the checkpoint dive site.
Photogallery
Photographs of the project base - the Um Tondoba eco-lodge.
