Egypt’s Ministry of Environment declared the opening of three diving spots in the Red Sea, off the coast of Hurghada, on 3 August. The move aims to conserve coral reefs in existing diving sites and promote tourism. These sites were established by submerging outdated military equipment 30 to 50 meters off the Red Sea’s coast. The ministry’s goal is to protect the natural coral reefs and enhance diving tourism by offering a unique experience that combines historical interest in old military equipment with the beauty of the underwater environment. Several governmental entities collaborated on the initiative including the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, the Egyptian Armed Forces, and the Hurghada Environmental Protection and Conservation Association (HEPCA). The initiative follows an agreement between the Red Sea Governorate and the armed forces to sink old military equipment and vehicles at different sites underwater and anchor them to the seabed. “Egypt is a pioneer in reef tourism. Its diving sites are world-renowned for their economic and scientific significance. This is because the Red Sea’s corals are considered one of the last standing reefs in the world,” Mohamed Hanafy, scientific…
Egypt Submerges Military Equipment in the Red Sea to Protect Coral Reefs
August 11, 2023
