Scientific researchers have filmed a hitherto unrecorded mass spawning of corals in the Egyptian Red Sea.

The Egyptian team, working for the Hurghada Environmental Protection and Conservation Association (HEPCA), observed “a unique and remarkable mass release of gametes [eggs and sperm] from more than 12 species of hard corals” near Hurghada in early May.

A group of Egyptian scientists have witnessed and filmed the first account of mass coral spawning in the Red Sea. The event last weekend is considered a scientific breakthrough, as mass coral spawning was previously believed to only occur in tropical locations.

In early 2011, the Hurghada Environmental Protection and Conservation Association discovered an outbreak of crown-of-thorns starfish, a foreign invasive species that has devastated large sections of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. In the same month, the Egyptian Navy detained three Egyptian fishing trawlers illegally fishing in the Red Sea.

The Hurghada Environmental Protection and Conservation Agency (HEPCA), a non-government organization dedicated to protecting the Red Sea, has wracked up some achievements with educational programs and the installation of quasi-permanent anchors attached to the seabed so boats don’t repeatedly drop anchor on delicate coral.

Ver weg van de piramides, de tempels en het tumult ligt
Wadi el-Gemal, een onbekend natuurreservaat aan de Rode Zee.

Two hotels from the Pickalbatros chain in Hurghada have been flagrantly and ostentatiously flouting wildlife protection laws, serving up buffets of endangered fish and sharks.

For decades, protecting sharks has been one of the most frustrating challenges facing Egyptian conservationists. Many species, such as hammerheads, oceanic whitetips and whale sharks, are known to have frequented the Red Sea at one point or another. However, while no recent, reliable records indicate which particular species might be in danger, sharks are thought to be under serious threat.

The survival of the elusive, blubbery sea-trawler known as the dugong is hanging in delicate balance amid ever-increasing development, tourism and pollution off of Egypt’s Red Sea coast.

Irresponsible diving, overfishing and waste disposal, together with climate change, represent a serious threat to one of Egypt’s well-known natural treasures: the coral reefs.

Immergersi nella natura ancora incontaminata delle coste a sud dell'Egitto per studiare i cetacei a bordo di un defender di 37 metri.

HEPCA has launched a remarkable attack on diving and fishing operators in the country, claiming that many are indulging in practices that are damaging the marine environment.

Ägypten beseitigt nicht nur Diktator und korrupte Politiker - der Tourismus versucht auch die ökologische Wende

L’Association de la protection et de la conservation de l’environnement à Hurghada (HEPCA) lance un appel pour protéger les fonds marins contre les violations humaines.

Am Roten Meer treffen drei völlig unterschiedliche Lebensräume aufeinender: Wüste, Küste und Meer.

Put a lid on finning in one place, and the shark-hunters just turn up elsewhere. It's not supply that must be turned off, says Richard Peirce, it's demand - and for the first time, he reckons there are grounds for optimism.

Seit Anfang dieses Jahres kümmert sich die HEPCA um die Müllentsorgung rund um Hurghada. Ralph Schill hat mit der Umweltorganisation darüber gesprochen, was sie gegen die Müllberge unternimmt, die auch erhebliche Auswirkungen auf das Rote Meer haben.

The Red Sea HEPCA Environment Protection and Conservation Association has rescued a giant whale shark in a lagoon in the southern Shalateen region off the Red Sea coast

A decision by Egypt's South Sinai governor to allow fishing in the protected Ras Mohammed National Park was quickly reversed when it became clear that the country's Minister of Tourism would act against the move.

Ympäristönsuojelujärjestö HEPCA perustettiin Punaisenmeren korallien ja ekosysteemin suojelemiseksi vuonna 1995. Toinminta on laajentunut koulutukseen ja tiedotukseen, meribiologiseen tutkimukseen, viranomaisyhteistyöhön ja koko Hurghadan kaupungin jätehuoltoon.

Am 26. Juli soll vor Hurghada ein Guinness-Weltrekord gebrochen und ein weiterer aufgestellt werden. Mitmachen können alle Taucher mit einem OWD-Brevet

Die Tauchplätze des Roten Meeres sind momentan nicht so stark frequentiert wie in früheren Zeiten vor der friedlichen Revolution. Kein Wunder, dass die Umweltorganisation HEPCA grade jetzt die Zeir nutzt, um Riffschutz voranzutreiben und Moorings an den Topspots zu installieren.

HEPCA declares to Ahram online that the decree of the South Sinai governor is not only illegal, but an ecological disgrace and an economic disaster.

HEPCA`s managing director discusses the Ras Mohamed National Park and the threats posed by overfishing, highlighting the dangers of the South Sinai Governor’s decision to permit fishing within the boundaries of the National Park..

HEPCA took on the responsibility of solid waste collection in Hurghada in order to protect the environment, public health and the main economic activity in the governorate –tourism; after the insistence of many investors in the Red Sea asking HEPCA to take on this activity at a high standard. HEPCA undertook this endeavour not with profit in mind, since HEPCA is a non-profit organization; which is reflected by the fact that the price offered by HEPCA was less than the closest offer by more than 40 million pounds. The article also mentions HEPCA’s other activities.

Divers in Egypt have nipped in the bud a possible invasion of crown-of-thorns starfish, after a colony of the creatures was spotted at a reef near Hurghada

Ahram Online covers Earth Day, making mention of HEPCA's activities (amongst others) on that day.

El Youm El Sabe' (The 7th day) arabic newspaper comments on Vodafone's contribution to the Solid Waste Management Scheme in Hurghada as well as general information on the scheme.

جريدة المساء تنشر خبر عن مشروع إدارة المخلفات الصلبة بمدينة الغردقة

Ahram Online covers HEPCA Solid Waste Management press conference with Vodafone which took place in Hurghada on 20 April 2011.

Algumhuria Newspaper discusses HEPCA's Solid Waste Management Scheme in Hurghada. (Arabic language article)

Sport Diver UK picks up HEPCA mooring report and republishes it.

Sports Diver UK picks up HEPCA's news update on fishing trawlers that were caught in the Egyptian Red Sea by the Egyptian Navy.

African Diver covers HEPCA's newsletter and view regarding illegal trawlers in the Red Sea.

X-RAY MAG covers HEPCA's Crown of Thorns cleanup at Carless Reef in the Egyptian Red Sea.

Al-Masry Al-Youm discusses issues surrounding turtles in the Red Sea and interviews HEPCA's Dr. Agnese Mancini, amongst other experts.

Al-Masry Al-Youm discusses Solid Waste management and opportunities in the time period post the Egyptian 2011 revolution, and interviews HEPCA's solid waste management scheme project Manager.

Call for volunteers for HEPCA's Red See Dolphin Project.

The Hurghada Environmental Protection and Conservation Association (HEPCA) is a leading non-governmental organization (NGO) working in the field of marine and land conservation.

Auf der Pressekonferenz von Sharkproject auf der "boot" bezogen drei Hai-Experten Stellung zu den Hai-Angriffen vor Sharm el Sheikh im vergangenen Dezember

Eine schreckliche Nachricht erreichte uns von der HEPCA auf der "boot" in Düsseldorf: Vier weitere Delphine sind vor drei Tagen in Hurghada gelandet. Ihr Bestimmungsort ist das Delphinarium Dolphin World in der Makadi Bay.

[Arabic Language Article]

The Hurghada Environmental Protection and Conservation Association (HEPCA) has lambasted various Red Sea authorities’ behaviour in the wake of the recent shark attacks in the area.

He has an impressive stature – you can actually feel his inner energy just talking to Amr Ali, the man who runs HEPCA, the Hurghada Environmental Protection and Conservation Association. HEPCA is well known within the Red Sea community for many unique initiatives, among which the largest mooring system in the world, the Shark and the Longimanus Projects, managing fisheries and monitoring marine life.

BBC news story on lifting of swimming ban in Sharm El-Sheikh after shark attack incidents.

Al-Masry Al-Youm covers the Egyptian government's actions vis-a-vis the shark attack incidents off the coast of the Egyptian resort town of Sharm El-Sheikh.

The Hurghada Environmental Protection and Conservation Association (HEPCA) has delivered a final warning to those killing sharks in the Red Sea. Following the five attacks in the Red Sea earlier this month, sharks have been indiscriminately targeted in what can only be described as revenge killings.

Nach den schweren Haiunfällen der Vorwoche (vier Schwerverletzte) kam es nun auch noch zu einem Todesfall durch einen Haiangriff.

Al-Masry Al-Youm covers the possible aftereffects of the shark attacks that occurred near the tourist resort of Sharm El-Sheikh with interviews with scientists and information about HEPCA's shark program in the Red Sea.

Channel 4 covers the events surrounding the death of a German Tourist in the Egyptian tourist town of Sharm El-Sheikh, as well as HEPCA's comments on the Egyptian government's reaction and false shark identification.

Eine deutsche Urlauberin ist bei einem Haiangriff am Sonntag im ägyptischenFerienort Scharm el-Scheich ums Leben gekommen.

Ein Hai hat eine deutsche Urlauberin am Strand der ägyptischen Touristenhochburg Scharm al-Scheich angegriffen und getötet. Das Tier riss der 70-jährigen am Sonntag im Roten Meer den rechten Arm und ein Bein ab.

Reuters covers HEPCA views on Shark Killing after attacks in Sharm El-Sheikh.

A year long campaign to ban the use of plastic bags in Hurghada has resulted in a new law. As of 1 October, grocers and food venues have been using paper alternatives or asking customers to bring their own shopping bags.

Al-Masry Al-Youm covers HEPCA's campaign to halt shark sales in Egypt.

The Red Sea is facing a crisis that could see much of its wonderful marine life cease to exist. Continued polluting of the water, constant oil spillage from offshore rigs and a lack of awareness in Egypt and around the region about the importance of maintaining vital ecosystems all contribute to the threat.

Die HEPCA hat und Fotos vom Delphin-Transport geschickt - sie zeigen zwar ein größeres Becken, allerdings mitten in der Wüste und ohne jeglichen Sonnenschutz. Delphinschützer Ric O'Barry lenkt mit medienwirksamen Aktionen die Welt-Aufmerksamkeit nach Hurghada.

Most of the Red Sea community will be aware of the saga surrounding the four bottlenose dolphins that were imported to Hurghada from Japan in mid August.

Three days ago colleagues working with HEPCA, an environmental NGO very active in the field of marine conservation in the Red Sea, discovered a small pool hidden in a private courtyard in Hurghada where four bottlenose dolphins (apparently imported from Japan) are being kept in appalling conditions.

AlMasry AlYoum covers the phenomenon of overfishing in the Red Sea.

IPS covers capture of Yemeni shark fishermen in the Egyptian Red Sea.

Vor der Küste des ägyptischen Badeorts Hurghada am Roten Meer treibt nach einem Leck in einer Bohrplattform ein Ölteppich. Auch Urlauberstrände wurden verschmutzt.

CAIRO: Egypt’s Hurghada Environmental Protection and Conservation Agency (HEPCA) reported in late May that Yemeni fishing boats were harvesting shark fins in the Red Sea. The report has sparked the ire among activists and animal advocates across the globe, even more so after HEPCA had launched a campaign against French super-grocer Carrefour to remove shark meat from its shelves in Egypt.

Al-Masry Al-Youm covers illegal shark fishing in the Red Sea.

The Daily News Egypt covers the June 2010 oil spill in the Egyptian Red Sea.

Bloomberg covers the oil spill in the Egyptian Red Sea that occurred in June 2010.

The community of the Red Sea has once again stood up to protect our environment, livelihood and health. The valiant efforts of fishermen, dive operators, hotels and the local government to control the spill must be commended.

Eine Ölkatastrophe wie im Golf von Mexiko ist laut Chamber of Diving and Watersports, der ägyptischen Behörde für Wassersport und Tauchen, im nördlichen Roten Meer vor El Gouna und Hurghada nicht zu erwarten. Die ausgetretene Ölmenge hält sich glücklicherweise wohl in Grenzen.

In Hurghada am Roten Meer hat ein Leck auf einer Öl-Plattform zu einer Verschmutzung der Strände geführt. Unklar ist, ob das Leck inzwischen abgedichtet werden konnte.

Unklarheit über Leck auf Bohrinsel im Roten Meer

Bloomberg covers the oil spill in the Egyptian Red Sea that occurred in 2010 - and the circumstances surrounding the oil industry in the country.

Auch im Roten Meer treibt ein Ölteppich - einzelne Klumpen sind bereits an den Stränden des Badeorts Hurghada angespült worden. Das Öl bedroht zudem auch ein Naturschutzgebiet. Besorgte Ägypten-Urlauber sollten sich an ihre Veranstalter wenden.

Vor der Küste des ägyptischen Badeorts Hurghada tritt an einer Förderplattform im Roten Meer Öl aus. Strände in und um Hurghada sind verschmutzt.

Egypt. An oil spill off the Egyptian Red Sea coast of Hurghada threatening to damage marine life in the area has prompted environmental agencies to demand tighter regulation of offshore oil platforms.

Mitten in der Reisezeit hat Öl die Strände in einer ägyptischen Ferienregion am Roten Meer verschmutzt. Es war vermutlich aus einer Bohrinsel ausgetreten. Während die Strände bereits gereinigt werden, sorgen sich Umweltschützer um ein Naturschutzgebiet.

Earth Times (via DPA) covers the oil spill that occurred in the Egyptian Red Sea in June of 2010.

We are leading non-governmental organization (NGO) working in the field of marine and land conservation. Founded in 1992, we are is actively working towards the goal of protecting and preserving the natural resources of Egypt and the Red Sea.

Coverage of the oil spill that occurred in the Egyptian Red Sea in June of 2010.

Coverage of oil spill in the Egyptian Red Sea that occurred in June of 2010.

Schöner Erfolg für alle Rotmeer-Umwelt- und Haischützer: In den letzten Tagen wurden insgesamt vier illegale jemenitische Haifischboote im südlichen Ägypten von Regierungsschiffen gestoppt.

Das Rote Meer hat unter Tauchern keinen guten Ruf. Zu voll ist es oft an den beliebten Spots, die Riffe leiden unter unvorsichtigen Sportlern. Doch es gibt auch Tauchbasen in Ägypten, die auf Umweltverträglichkeit achten. Der Lohn: mehr Fisch- als Tauchflossen vor der Maske

Egypt.com news section discusses HEPCA efforts to ban the sale of sharks in hypermarket Carrefour and other issues associated with Shark fishing.

Daily News Egypt reports on success of HEPCA campaign to halt shark sales at hypermarket Carrefour.

Die ägyptische Umweltschutzorganisation HEPCA fordert den sofortigen Stopp mit Haiprodukten und startet die Kampagne "Stop Shark Sales Campaign". Eine Initiative, die auch Taucher unterstützen sollten!

Al-Masry Al-Youm covers HEPCA's solid waste management program in Hadaba amongst other Solid Waste news from Egypt.

Recently, HEPCA released a free online documentary highlighting the environmental challenges facing the Red Sea and the communities sustained by it, while also surveying the different projects HEPCA has initiated to face these challenges.

What is the potential effect of climate change on Red Sea coral reefs and tourism in Egypt? Kuoni, HEPCA, IUCN and local tour operators are working in partnership to address this issue.

Rubbish collection and recycling might be a given in many countries, however in Egypt and particularly in Hurghada, things are not that easy. The city had to grow very fast in order to accommodate the increasing number of residents and waste management was slow to follow.

Al-Masry Al-Youm covers plans to build a power plant in Nuweiba

Since August 2009, the Egyptian government has granted HEPCA sole responsibility for the management of waste collection and recycling in the southern Red Sea, an area roughly double the size of The Netherlands.

Al-Masry Al-Youm covers coral bleaches and the Red Sea environment with comments from HEPCA's managing director.

Al-Masry Al-Youm covers the ban on plastic bags in Hurghada that came about as a result of heavy HEPCA campaigning and lobbying.

Weltkriegsrelikt im Roten Meer: Die Mischung aus interessanter Historie, faszinierender Ladung und imposanter Größe hat die "SS Thistlegorm" zum wohl meist besuchten Wrack der Welt gemacht. Der Ansturm von 96.000 Tauchgängen jährlich setzt dem Schiff schwer zu.

Allowing guests to snorkel at St. Johns and other Far Islands, especially when C. longimanus is presence, is highly unprofessional. Not only does it place guests at risk of injury, but such unprofessional action gives the whole Egyptian Red Sea dive industry a bad reputation

Reuters covers shark attack incident near Marsa Alam and HEPCA's managing director's remarks on the incidents.

The Times covers a shark incident near Egypt's Southern Sinai resort town of Sharm El-Sheikh with a statement from HEPCA's managing director.

First Lady of the US Laura Bush praised the work of the Hurghada Environmental Protection and Conservation Association (HEPCA) and other Egyptian NGOs during her visit to Sharm El-Sheikh this week.

Großreinemachen am Roten Meer: Die Küstenabschnitte bei Abu Saafa und Serib Kebir bei El Quseir wurden im Februar von über vier Tonnen Müll und Schiffsresten befreit

Al-Ahram Weekly sheds light on Environmental Activism in Egypt.

In continuing support of HEPCA and the marine environment, blue o two is dedicating one of it's vessels to hosting 'Hayah' reef clean-up safaris throughout the month of January 2009.

Daily News Egypt report on Hurghada and the effects of unsustainable development and touristic activities on marine life in the Red Sea.

Die HEPCA unterstützt den Gouverneur des Regierungsbezirks Rotes Meer bei einer geplanten Verordnung: Die umweltbelastenden Plastiktüten sollen verschwinden.

Dear Supporters and Colleagues,

Fish stocks in the Red Sea are under serious threat. The National Authority of Fisheries recently issued a decree banning all fishing in the Egyptian Red Sea for a period of three months.

Ein technisches Team der HEPCA hat es nun bis auf die andere Seite des Roten Meeres geschafft, denn vor der Küste Saudi Arabiens wurden jetzt 50 Ankerbojen installiert.

The management and staff at the Red Sea Diving College were thrilled to receive the honour Defenders of the Sea 2007 as awarded by HEPCA (the Hurghada Environmental Protection and Conservation Association).

H2O magazine on HEPCA's work on the SS Thistlegorm.

News on HEPCA's mooring scheme for the SS Thistlegorm's wreck divesite.

Seacology article about mooring buoys to be set up in the Wadi El-Gammal National Park.

DIVE magazine sheds light on HEPCA's mooring scheme for the SS Thistlegorm wreck to save the dive site from being destroyed due to a number of factors.

HEPCA (the Hurghada Environmental Protection and Conservation Association) has become a force to be reckoned with, with the recently issued decree that will finally ban shark fishing in the Red Sea marking a significant victory for the NGO.

Millions of tourists flock to Egypt every year for diving in the Red Sea where coral reefs along much of the coast support a colourful and diverse range of species - including dolphins, sharks, manta rays, turtles and dugongs.

Burren Energy is the recipient of some resistance from an environmental group as the company prepares to begin exploration near a protected area of Egypt’s Red Sea coast. An environmental watch dog group – the Hurghada Environmental Protection and Conservation Association (Hepca) – is calling for an immediate halt to Burren’s exploration plans.

DIVE reports on incident where hammerhead shark is caught in a fishing net and is killed. Shark fishing has been banned in the Red Sea since 2005 after active lobbying by HEPCA.

News piece about the ban on shark fishing in the Egyptian Red Sea that was lobbied for strongly by HEPCA.

H2O magazine with extensive coverage of the successful fight to save Giftun Island in 2004.