As a biologist studying oceanic whitetip sharks in the Egyptian Red Sea, I feel it is necessary to comment on the recent events off Sharm El Sheikh. read more...
December 2010
The blue o two diveguides will be the first volunteers to participate in the long-term monitoring program launched by HEPCA for large pelagic shark and ray species in the Egyptian Red Sea. Equipped with electronic sighting and no-sighting logs, they are asked to document shark encounters from the marine parks and other drop-off reefs, e.g. in St. Johns and Elphinstone. Ideally, underwater images of sharks are supplementing the sighting data, and can be used to create or add to existing species catalogues. HEPCA is inviting other diveguides to join them in trying to collect as much data as possible on the presence, movement and behaviour of different shark species to understand their ecological needs and pressures. Ultimately, this kind of information is essential in designing effective management and conservation plans for these large predators.
September 2010
Silky sharks have made a surprising comeback in the first half of 2010. After being virtually gone for the better part of 4 years, they have been seen in record numbers around Brother Islands and Daedalus Reef; from April to June, up to 4 different individuals could be observed circling the liveaboards at the same time. Additional single animals showed up in Elphinstone, St Johns and even above the wreck of the Thistlegorm off the Sinai peninsula. A total of 21 individuals could be identified from their natural markings this year alone, most of them (16 individuals) females... (more details on photo-identification here...)
August 2010