Be dolphin aware this season

Received this from HEPCA.

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Dolphins are alluring, enchanting animals that seduce the many visitors to the Red Sea every year. These social creatures often approach humans to jest and play, whilst tourists shriek with joy as dolphins approach them and leap out of the water. It is a true thrill to see a smiling dolphin splashing the water with their fluke (tail fin) but sadly this reaction is often misinterpreted – rather than an expression of pleasure, this is a warning sign within the dolphin community and means they are feeling threatened.

With dolphins being one of the major attractions here in the Red Sea, more and more operators are offering trips to see dolphins during the day. Dolphins are found in sheltered bays during the day recuperating after a long night of fishing; this is their valuable sleeping time, which is particularly important for calves that struggle to keep up with adults during the night if they are not well rested. More and more, stressed dolphins are found to be pressured into heading out to open sea during the day time, leaving their safe rest zones and increasing their potential exposure to predators.

Please be dolphin aware this season:

• Do not feed dolphins. Feeding any animal in the wild is prohibited by law in Egypt; it can potentially reduce an animal’s ability to survive in the wild as they become dependent on human feeding.
• Do not touch dolphins. Touching a dolphin can be a method of disease transmission; both fungal and viral diseases can potentially be transmitted both ways.
• Do not follow dolphins. If a pod of dolphins or an individual swims away from you, get the point that they aren’t in a social mood; they probably need to rest.
• Never drive a boat through a pod of dolphins or chase them in the water! Some areas stipulate that boats and watercraft cannot approach a dolphin to within 20m.
• Do not make loud noises or banging sounds to attract dolphins. Loud noises are very disturbing to dolphins; they increase their stress levels and make them feel threatened. It also doesn’t work!
• If you ever do meet a dolphin or pod in the wild, don’t swim directly at them; swim parallel to them and if they want to play they will approach you.

Finally, encourage others also to be dolphin aware. If you see anyone else doing any of these don’ts please explain to them how harmful this is to the dolphin community, and also to the future of the tourism industry of the Red Sea. Long may the dolphins swim free here.
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