The Marine Connection report into ethical marine tourism in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt.

Sharm el Sheikh in Egypt is a popular tourist town which borders the Red Sea. The Red Sea is rich in marine life and offers a haven for divers and other water-based activities from kite-surfing to dolphin watching.

The Marine Connection has been working in Sharm el Sheikh for several years in opposition to existing and proposed captive dolphin facilities. Just one dolphinarium in Sharm el Sheikh still exists. To date, the Marine Connection has worked hard ensuring two captive beluga whales were confiscated and returned to their country of origin after discovering they were kept in horrendously inadequate conditions, two captive dolphins and a sea lion illegally imported into Egypt were returned to their country of origin and the charity also prevented the construction of a further dolphinarium adjacent to the Hilton Sharm Dreams Vacation Complex.

The Marine Connection is still working hard to remove the three dolphins which are still held at the remaining dolphinarium, Dolphinella, as there are issues surrounding the origin of one or more of the animals as well as questions over the conditions in which the dolphins are kept.

The reason the Marine Connection undertook this report was to highlight to the general public, the many opportunities for holidaymakers to make use of the impressive natural environment which can be enjoyed in and around Sharm el Sheikh. There is no reason to visit an artificial and contrived dolphin show where the animals have become shadows of their wild counterparts.

Family friendly options are readily available and it is even possible to view wild dolphins in the Red Sea or go snorkelling from the beach to see impressive coral reefs and the life which surrounds them. During dolphin-watching programmes education about dolphins' natural skills and habits can be carried out via genuine research, and observation of their natural, wide-ranging abilities and conservation can be done in situ.

The opportunities to experience the wild and natural marine environment of the Red Sea in an ethical and sustainable manner are endless.

To view the full report please click here.

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