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Egypt Declares the Great Fringing Reef a Protected Area

Egypt Declares the Great Fringing Reef a Protected Area

A historic milestone for Red Sea conservation, crowned by years of scientific and fieldwork efforts

The Egyptian Cabinet has officially approved the designation of Egypt’s Great Fringing Reef as a Protected Area—one of the most significant environmental decisions the country has witnessed recently, and a pivotal step toward safeguarding one of the richest marine ecosystems on Earth.

The decision includes declaring the entire expanse of the Great Fringing Reef in the Egyptian Red Sea as a new marine protected area. It defines the boundaries and coordinates based on official maps and completes the legal framework of the previously established protected areas.

This historic announcement crowns years of continuous collaboration between HEPCA (Hurghada Environmental Protection and Conservation Association), the Egyptian Ministry of Environment, international partners, the diving community, researchers, scientists, and government authorities.

A journey years in the making… now reaching official protection.

 

The Importance of Egypt’s Fringing Reefs in the Red Sea

Egypt’s Red Sea coral reefs are among the world’s most valuable natural treasures. They represent the last and strongest refuges capable of withstanding the climate-driven bleaching events that have devastated reefs around the world. Driven by the national responsibility to protect this unique ecological heritage, the Egyptian Cabinet has declared the “Great Fringing Reef of the Red Sea” a marine protected area.

Location
The Great Egyptian Fringing Reef stretches along the western coast of the Red Sea—covering the entire Egyptian shoreline of the Gulfs of Aqaba and Suez and extending roughly 2,000 Kilometers, with widths ranging from just a few meters to a maximum of 400 meters. It also includes fringing reefs surrounding approximately 44 Egyptian islands.

These coral systems form the core ecological foundation of the Red Sea, supporting biodiversity, fisheries, and a vast array of marine life.

 

1. Scientific Reasons Supporting the Designation

Egypt’s Red Sea reefs are the world’s strongest hope for coral survival

Scientific studies have shown that the Red Sea’s fringing reefs—particularly along the Egyptian coast—possess the highest heat tolerance and bleaching resistance of any coral reefs globally. This makes them a Global Coral Refuge in the face of climate change, which has caused catastrophic coral loss worldwide.

These findings are confirmed by numerous scientific publications.

A global climate indicator

Because these reefs demonstrate exceptional resilience, their protection is essential—not only for Egypt, but for the global scientific community seeking solutions to coral decline.

 

2. Economic, Tourism, and Development Benefits

• This designation provides a major boost to Red Sea tourism promotion, as Egypt’s Great Fringing Reef is the backbone of the diving and marine tourism industry—an industry that generates billions of pounds annually and creates thousands of jobs. It also supports the European tourism market, Egypt’s largest incoming tourism partner.

• The decision ensures the preservation of biodiversity through proper management of coral reef ecosystems, guaranteeing the sustainability of marine activities such as diving and snorkeling, while protecting existing and future tourism investments.

• Coral reefs are sources of high-value genetic material and biologically active compounds with substantial economic potential.

 

3. Cultural and Media Benefits

• Showcasing Egypt’s leadership in preserving global natural heritage.
• Strengthening Egypt’s global standing as a leader in coral reef protection and an eco-tourism destination.
• Leveraging the announcement for strategic media outreach.
• Facilitating global recognition of the site as one of exceptional ecological, cultural, scientific, and economic value—making its protection not only a national responsibility but also a global one.

 

Key Milestones in HEPCA’s Journey to Protect the Great Fringing Reef

• 2022 – Red Sea named a Hope Spot by Mission Blue, spotlighting its global significance.
• 2022 – Support for Lewis Pugh’s historic Coral Swim, raising global awareness about Red Sea coral resilience.
• 2022 – Active participation in COP27, launching international calls to protect the reef and global social media campaigns in partnership with Meta.
• 2022–2025 – Extensive scientific and field efforts including:
– Biological studies and continuous environmental monitoring
– Coral surveys across 1,800 km
– BleachWatch monitoring and environmental stress indicators
– Cleanup campaigns, protection efforts, and awareness initiatives
• 2024 – 2025 – Egyptian Cabinet’s preliminary review of the proposal, accompanied by media outreach and advocacy campaigns
• 2025 – Official announcement by the Cabinet

 

What This Decision Means for the Future of the Red Sea

Designating the Great Fringing Reef as a marine protected area will lead to:

• Effective protection of the region’s most critical ecosystem
• Reduction of harmful practices such as coral breakage, overfishing, and harassment of marine life
• Strengthening of sustainable tourism
• Supporting coastal communities and creating green jobs
• Securing a safe habitat for the world’s most climate-resilient coral reefs

 

Protection Doesn’t Mean Restriction… It Means Management

HEPCA emphasizes that declaring the reef a protected area does not mean preventing tourism or marine activities. Instead, it ensures they are properly regulated to guarantee long-term sustainability—aligned with global best practices.

  

Conclusion

This designation is not just an administrative measure—it is a national strategic decision ensuring the survival of one of the planet’s most important ecosystems. It reinforces Egypt’s role as a global leader in coral conservation at a time when reefs worldwide face unprecedented threats.

Amid global coral decline, Egypt now holds both the opportunity—and perhaps the responsibility—to lead the world in protecting the last refuge of marine biodiversity.

 

Media Materials Available for Download

• High-resolution photos and videos: protection journey, monitoring campaigns, Mission Blue, Coral Swim, COP27 engagements

Download link (Google Drive):
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ezXQtlOHiOMCrILQznBWyQuFNReVRbss?usp=sharing

 

Related links (websites, social media, and campaigns):
HEPCA Strategic Goal – The Great Fringing Reef
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=744116890138960
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BcU45Kh7G/

Mission Blue – Hope Spot Announcement
https://missionblue.org/2022/11/the-great-fringing-reef-named-first-hope-spot-in-the-red-sea/

Lewis Pugh – Coral Swim
https://lewispughfoundation.org/campaign/red-sea-2022/

Meeting with the Egyptian Cabinet on the status of the reef
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BxYZmMnR4/