In 2001, HEPCA, the EEAA and the National Parks Authority of Egypt, signed an unprecedented agreement that represented the first case in Egypt of cooperation between a NGO, the private sector and the National Parks. This cooperation resulted in the establishment of a new protected area, the Samadai Reef.

Samadai is a crescent- shaped offshore reef, located approximately 5km from Marsa Alam. Samadai is often referred to as ‘Dolphin House’, a reference to the fact that this reef is the favoured habitat of spinner dolphins. The aim of the Samadai Project is to protect this unique habitat and maintain human presence at the reef, within acceptable limits.

The initial project set up a series of zones to protect the native dolphin population from visiting boats and guests and to denote a closed area for the exclusive use of the dolphins. Visitors were limited to a maximum capacity of 200 per day (prior to HEPCA’s intervention this figure rose up to 2500 visitors per day).

An income generating and sustainable initiative was developed for Samadai to maintain the project over time. Samadai Reef is now considered one of the world’s premier dolphin habitats and this project is a model for many similar initiatives in the Red Sea.