Egypt's scuba diving destinations under threat as corals reefs in Red Sea face bleaching

The Hurghada Environmental Protection and Conservation Agency (HEPCA) says that coral reefs in the Red Sea are facing bleaching which will threaten their survival.

The environmental non-government organisation reported in August that the increase in divers taking scuba diving holidays in the Red Sea and global warming has meant that there is “an increased risk of coral bleaching in the Red Sea.”

August was a particularly critical month for the fragile reefs because of the rising water temperatures.

Coral bleaching occurs when stressed coral forces out the colourful algae which lives in side the plant, where it then loses its colour and becomes vulnerable to damage.

In its report HEPCA said: “The southern reefs, especially the reefs around Zabargad and Rocky Islands, are under increased risk of coral bleaching.”

The agency explained coral bleaching in further detail saying: “Coral bleaching is a natural response to environmental stress where the coral expel its zooxanthellae, the coral then turns white or transparent as it is the zooxanthellae which give the coral its colour.

“If the conditions which caused the corals to bleach abate, the corals can survive, however if the zooxanthellae are not regained the coral will starve and die.”

The environmental group is urging dive operators and dive guides who regularly go scuba diving in the Red Sea to monitor the potential increase in coral bleaching so experts can gauge the damage to marine species and try to prevent any further stress.
The Red Sea coastline and coral reefs were once untouched and pristine but the region has become one of the leading scuba diving destinations in the world over the years and the increase in diving activities and poor environmental protection means that the coral reefs could face bleaching.

Andrew Smith, a biologist at an Australian conservation organisation that focuses on the Great Barrier Reef’s destruction, is urging divers and tourists to not touch or break off any marine plants or reefs during scuba diving holidays in the Red Sea.

This, he said “is why certain areas become sick and die because they do not have the time to recuperate after so many people destroy only small areas. It is a major problem.”

In Egypt, there is little government oversight on scuba diving trips, so divers often do whatever they want when they are exploring the delicate reefs.

A diving instructor in Dahab on the Sinai coast, explained that some operators get over excited about taking large numbers of people into one area.

“This is destructive because just like our homes, the marine life can get overly stressed by too many people in the water at one time.” he said.

The Red Sea is full of scuba diving sites, and stunning coral reefs, sunken wrecks and exquisite marine life can be found in Dahab, Sharm el Sheikh and Hurghada.