Protection for Red Sea dugongs

The Marine Connection are delighted to have received reports from one of our colleagues in Egypt that measures have been put in place to protect the resident dugong in the bay at Marsa Abu Dabab. We very much welcome this decision and will continue to work with colleagues in the area for the welfare and protection of marine mammals in the Red Sea area.

Today we received the following statement:

"Please note that with immediate effect (16th May 2007), following a decision from the Hurghada Environmental Protection and Conservation Association (HEPCA) the bay at Marsa Abu Dabab (Marsa Alam area) is closed to all water based activities. This includes diving, snorkelling, boating and any other activities which may interfere with the natural behaviour of the resident dugong (sea cow) population. Concern over harassment of these creatures and a threat to their continued presence and indeed existence has led to this decision."

Update: June 7 2007
Sadly Abu Dabab is open again. It seems that the authorities closed off the area for a few days to put buoys in place and now snorkellers and divers are back, but not boats. However they have assurred us that the area will be closed off again in its' entirety in the near future.