H2O Magazine - Issue #4

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"Issue #4"

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Environment:

GIFTUN Takes Center Stage on Earth Day

April 22 was EARTH DAY, a day when all over the world since 1970 our environment is celebrated to remind us of our responsibility towards its preservation and protection.
This year in Hurghada, the celebration of EARTH DAY took on a different turn with the National Park of GIFTUN Island as the main theme in light of the shocking news that a massive development plan was being promoted to the Egyptian government.

The Red Sea Association and HEPCA took this opportunity to organize for the first time in Hurghada an unprecedented show of unity expressing the public's stance in opposition to such a scheme and in support of protecting the natural treasure that is GIFTUN for future generations to enjoy.

Over 200 dive and snorkelling boats with their full loads of some 2000 divers, snorkellors, beach lovers, composed of Egyptians and non Egyptians alike flocked to the Island.
They waved banners and sported t-shirts specially distributed for the occasion in a wonderful and civilized show of unity, all conveying one simple message LEAVE GIFTUN ALONE.

This event was widely covered by the media including Egyptian TV and proved to be a very effective factor that contributed to the general and sustained outcry that eventually caused the project to be halted.

A big thank you to all those who participated.

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Crown of Thorns Starfish

Acanthaster planci, commonly known as the crown-of-thorns starfish, is an echinoderm that has attracted much attention and has been the focus of much research in the past few years.

Feeding Behaviour:
The feeding method of the crown-of-thorns starfish is the behaviour causing it to be such a concern.

It is a specialized coral predator capable of consuming 5 to 6 square meters of coral per year. Like other starfish, A. planci is an extraoral feeder meaning it forces its stomach out through its mouth.

The soft stomach can then be positioned around the irregularly shaped coral where it secretes digestive enzymes to break down the living coral tissues.
Cilia then transport the nutrients obtained from the coral into the starfish body where they are absorbed. This process may take up to six hours, and it leaves behind only a white coral skeleton.

All corals have nematocysts containing stinging cells for defense, but the sting seems to have no effect on a feeding starfish. A. planci prefer to eat branched corals and plate corals of the genus Acropora. However, the starfish avoid fire corals and branching colony corals containing small crabs and shrimps that protect those corals. Often these are the only types of corals still surviving after an Acanthaster outbreak (Moran 1997).

Reefs receiving large numbers of coral larva from ocean currents may have young coral growing within two to three years and take ten years to recover completely. Coral reefs which do not receive a strong flow of larva can take over fifteen years to return their past coral coverage.
Even if the reefs do reach their former size, often the composition of the reef has changed. Certain corals recover faster than others, and it can take many more years for the slower-growing corals to reach their former populations. As starfish outbreaks occur closer together, it becomes harder for these slower recovery corals to reestablish themselves (Cooperative 2001).

WHAT WE SHOULD DO?
Since early 1998, there has been a very noticeable increase in the numbers of the Crown-of-Thorns Starfish (COTS) in the Red Sea. Localized infestations or outbreaks have been noted in at least 5-10 dive sites along the Hurghada to Marsa Alam reef system.

Their presence in large numbers has alarmed recreational divers, and is seen as a threat to the dive industry if international tourists think the reefs are damaged, regardless of whether the damage is significant or not.

The work in the Hurghada area is the first ever on record to survey, control or monitor crown of thorns in the region.
Our view, in summary, is that the Crown-of-Thorns Starfish outbreak is an interesting phenomenon that should be monitored. Some focused cleaning efforts on favourite and economically valuable dive sites is worth the effort to protect the industry and to promote awareness of the environment to visiting divers.

This effort should be undertaken primarily by the many stakeholders in the dive industry who would of course want to protect the cosmetic value of dive sites for their guests and to protect the image of quality diving in the Red Sea.

The research and monitoring efforts of the infested sites within the Protectorate should be executed by the EEAA staff and their supporting international projects (U.S AID), in collaboration with interested academic researchers.

	A broad-based, well-organized public information campaign should be implemented to calm the worries of potential visiting divers and the dive industry, and to promote awareness and participation in the marine environment and its management.
The assistance and cooperation of the dive centers, investors and public are welcomed in this effort; indeed, it is their interests which are served most by any efforts in this regard.

By: Mohamed Habib
(Marine Operations Manager EEPP)

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HEPCA at work

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, concerned citizens can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has.”
- Margaret Mead -

Dear All,
Please find below a summary of what has been happening during the last 3 months and the latest news from within HEPCA.

NEW MOORINGS:
HEPCA, in coordination with the EEAA, has just finished an extensive installation and maintenance campaign all around the Red Sea including Hurghada, Safaga, Marsa Alam, the Brothers, Daedalus, Zabargad, Wadi El Gimal and Fury Shoal.
Nearly 250 moorings were installed, bringing the number of working moorings to nearly 740, this now being the biggest mooring system worldwide!

HEPCA would like to express its extreme appreciation to all the dive centers, hotels and individuals who helped in making this possible.
Please find below a table of all existing moorings, including all the new ones put in by our divers:

TOTAL MOORINGS:
HURGHADA 295
SAFAGA 92
SOUTH & FAR ISLANDS 326
NORTH & EL GOUNA 85
TOTAL 798

By the 10th JULY, the list of all these moorings will be available to view on our web site (www.hepca.com).
The 85 moorings shown in the North and El Gouna area are the number of moorings planned to be installed. The installation program for El Gouna started on the 10th July and should be completed 10 days from this date.
We are aware that the last update from Safaga reported a a total of 8 moorings missing. You have our assurance that these moorings have been incorporated into our monthly maintenance program and will be replaced. May we take this opportunity to express our thanks to all dive centers in Safaga for their help and support to enable our dive team to successfully install the moorings there.

The areas of El Gouna, Hurghada and Safaga will now be integrated as one area in accordance with our monthly Maintenance Program. Every month, our divers will visit all dive sites to check moorings and their condition, recording all information for the office, so all work needing to be carried out is completed. We consistently evaluate the most effective way of checking moorings in the Red Sea, and welcome further suggestions as to how it can be achieved even more efficiently.

- HEPCA EXTREME
In cooperation with TDI Middle East and Divers Lodge, the HEPCA divers are receiving technical training courses on diving with mixed gases in order to enhance their capabilities and to provide them with a higher safety margin whilst fulfilling their jobs. HEPCA would like to thank Mr. Karim Helal for this kind and generous offer.

- GIFTUN SAVED
This was a memorable occasion for the environment and a historic testament to the positive power of collective effort in a time of crisis.We would like to take this opportunity to express our sincere thanks and appreciation on behalf of all Red Sea stakeholders and enthusiasts both here in Egypt and all over the world for the tremendous support shown to this cause.

YOUR VOICES MADE A DIFFERENCE. (www.petitiononline.com/giftun)

- DIVE GUIDE
Please be reminded that there will be a reprint of the ever popular HEPCA Dive Guide of Hurghada and Safaga on the 17th July 2004. The total number being printed is as follows:

3000 English version
3000 German version

This is the last opportunity we have for any revisions or corrections from the last print. Advise us as soon as possible of anything you wish to see added, taken out or changed.If you wish to place an advert for your business in the forthcoming run, we will need the artwork for this soon in order for proofs to be signed off and meet the printing deadline. Please could you ensure that all artwork will fit to A5 size. Could you also advise us of how many copies you will require of each language.

- NEW BEACH SIGNS
HEPCA have just finished putting 10 environmental beach signs in the area of Marsa Alam and another 20 are to be distributed between Hurghada and Qusier. This has been done in coordination with the NGOSC.

- NEW HEPCA OFFICE
HEPCA has moved to a new office based in the Marriott Hotel. We invite all our members to pass by to see the new office, and meet some of the new staff who have joined our team.

- HEPCA SOUTH
After the last visit that our mooring unit completed in the South, which brought the number of moorings up to nearly 326, (including the Far Islands), we have successfully finished the initial steps of establishing a branch in Marsa Alam. The HEPCA team which will operate from there will consist of four divers. This unit will be based at the Red Sea Safari Camp in Marsa Shagra, who very generously offered to host our unit there until we can provide them with permanent accommodation and office space.

Thank you again for the continued support of all our members.
Until the next time.....

Amr Ali
Managing Director HEPCA
www.hepca.com

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