Hurghada Declaration

I've just received that from HEPCA. It's an image so I can't copy and paste.

thanks for sharing. i received the declaration in text format, it is easier to read.

Red Sea Shadows, do you know something news about local fishermen's first feedback, reactions?


"It is HEPCA’s great privilege to welcome an outstanding conservation outcome for the Egyptian Red Sea that will have long-lasting benefits for our Diving Industry and for all people who love the Red Sea. This outcome is the “Hurghada Declaration – Towards the Sustainable use of Natural Resources of the Red Sea”. Signed on 2 June 2009, the Hurghada Declaration provides a legal and strategic framework to implement important conservation recommendations developed last year at a conference held at Sharm El Sheik. These recommendations are aimed at reducing pressure on Red Sea marine resources while dealing fairly with communities reliant on these resources for their income. It does this by closing the Egyptian Red Sea to further entry by fishermen, buying back fishing licences, retraining fishermen to gain alternative forms of work, and the assisted repatriation of fishermen not legally permitted to fish in the Red Sea. In addition, the Hurghada Declaration prescribes to the precautionary principle by completely banning net fishing from the whole Egyptian Red Sea, banning trawling south of the Gulf of Suez and establishing marine reserves (no-take zones) at important marine areas. Marine reserves are locations where all forms of fishing are prohibit and will simultaneously benefit the dive tourism industry and marine biodiversity protection. The Declaration also benefits amateur or sports fishermen by proposing areas where they may exclusively fish.

The Hurghada Declaration could only have come about by individuals with great foresight and a desire to do the right thing for future generations. HEPCA wishes to applaud the following for their courage and wisdom to sign the Hurghada Declaration: H.E General Magdy Qubeisy the Red Sea Governor; H.E General Mohamed Galal the Suez Governor; H.E General Mohamed Metwaly the South Sinai Governor; H.E Amin Abaza the Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation; H.E Zohair Garrana the Minister of Tourism; and H.E Eng. Maged George the Minister for Environmental Affairs. In addition to those mentioned above, HEPCA wish to thank the following individuals and organisations for their support at making the Declaration a reality: Chamber of Diving and Water Sports, SSDM, The National Parks of Egypt and last but least Dr. Mahmoud Hanafy the science advisor for Hepca and the Red sea Governor.

Importantly, signing of the Declaration is only the first step in this long-term process. Next is the challenge to ensure compliance of the new laws and consistent enforcement when these laws are broken. This is where we need your assistance. We need you to act as the eyes for HEPCA and the authorities responsible for enforcement. The Egyptian Red Sea is too large for any one organisation to patrol and police. You can help by reporting illegal actions such as net fishing, trawling south of the Gulf of Suez or any forms of fishing in the newly created marine reserves. If you have queries concerning the Hurghada Declaration, the new laws, and how they might apply to you and your business please contact HEPCA."

Thnxs redsea shadow for sharing that image , thnx raindrop too . But what about the annual Terad(squaretail grouper) fishing season ?!