BLUE News
Dive centres protest against
Red Sea conservation
Nuweiba power plant
new projects appeal
Dive centres in the South Sinai are appealing to all CDWS members
and the public to voice their protest against plans to build a 105,000
Marine environment educa-
square-metre power plant in the centre of one of Egypt’s most scenic
tion group Red Sea Research
diving destinations. The Egyptian Electricity Holding Company has put
is looking for new projects in
forward a proposal to build a power plant in the centre of Nuweiba in the
the Dahab region to take part
South Sinai region. This would see construction of 750MW gas-powered
in. The centre has appealed
turbines, towering more than 80m in height in a central area of Nuweiba
for ideas and contacts related
close to popular dive sites and a marine park.
to worthwhile long-term marine environment projects in and
around the Sinai resort as part of its extensive diver conserva-
Local divers and businesses say the power plant would have a devastating
tion education programme.
impact on the environment, both underwater and on land. If given
the go-ahead, they fear tourism in Nuweiba would be destroyed and
Red Sea Research is based at Club Red dive centre in Dahab
that there would be long-term disastrous implications for the local
and offers comprehensive diving research courses to enable
community.
qualified and non-divers to participate as volunteers in worth-
while environmental projects. The group is involved in several
In protest, Nuweiba-based dive centres started an online petition calling
research projects which cover most aspects of marine research.
for the plans to be scrapped.
‘We have developed a modular research diving course designed
Egyptian non-government campaign group the Hurghada Environmental
to train volunteer divers to a level of competence in research
Protection and Conservation Association (HEPCA) said in a recent
diving methodology, terminology and practices in marine bio-
statement it had commissioned a group of experts to examine the
logical, bathymetric and geographical surveying techniques, to
situation. The group’s examination, HEPCA explained, will be based on the
the standards required by the marine environmental organiza-
published environmental impact assessment (EIA), which is required by
tions conducting research within the Red Sea,’ Red Sea Research
the Ministry of Environment for project approval and permits.
said.
‘Without the approval of the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency
Red Sea Research:
(EEAA) and the Ministry of Environment this project will not be
www.redsearesearch.org.
executable,’ said HEPCA managing director Amr Ali. ‘We have been in
contact with the environmental impact department of the EEAA and
we have been given the confirmation that this project did not receive
any approvals from their part. The EEAA requires a public hearing to
garner the consent and approval of the community for a project of such
magnitude and size.
‘We are very confident that our colleagues at the National Conservation
Sector and the EEAA will ensure that investor complies with legal and
ethical standards as required by the Egyptian government.’
BA flies back to Sharm
British Airways has an-
The services will use Boeing
As well as cross-examining particular points made in the EIA report, in
nounced the launch of new
777 aircraft configured with
his letter Mr Ali appealed for divers and locals to attend a public hearing,
routes from London Gatwick
three classes: World Traveller,
which is expected to take place in the coming months.
to Sharm el Sheikh from
World Traveller Plus and Club
October 2009. The airline
World. BA said it had looked
Local dive centre African Divers said: ‘Nuweiba is one of the most
previously operated services
at the whole of its long haul
picturesque parts of the whole southern Sinai peninsula, has an excellent
to the Red Sea resort through
network at Gatwick and fol-
and unique tourism potential, is home to two major Sinai Bedouin tribes,
its franchise operator GB Air-
lowing detailed research de-
and has an almost unique, relatively undisturbed underwater marine life.
ways, which was taken over
cided new routes to Sharm el
by budget flight company
Sheikh would prove popular.
‘Apart from the obvious enormous detrimental effects such a project will
easyJet in 2007.
have on the local environment and population during the construction Tickets on the new route are
period, once operational, the plant will have a negative impact on the
The announcement of three
now on sale through www.
quality of air, will reduce the level of sunlight, increase noise pollution
BA flights a week, from 25
ba.com and direct through
and, above all, will damage seriously and irreparably the marine life and
October will be welcomed by
BA reservations on 08 9
coral reefs that lie all along the east coast of Nuweiba adjacent to where
many divers who have seen
0787. Fares from Gatwick to
the plant is planned to be built.’
a big reduction in luggage
Sharm el Sheikh will start
allowance for scuba equip-
from £9 return includ-
The petition started by dive centres calls for the Egyptian Environment
ment across the board. Under
ing taxes, fees and charges.
Affairs Agency to withhold approval for the project, pending full
its current policy, BA allows
Flights to Sharm will depart
investigations by internationally recognised environment agencies and
passengers carrying selected
from Gatwick on Monday,
consultations with local residents, businesses and non-government
sporting equipment, such as
Thursday and Saturday at
organisations.
diving and windsurfing gear,
10pm returning on Tuesday,
an additional 2kg at no extra
Friday and Sunday at 11am
To sign the petition:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/2/stop-the-
charge. Width and maximum
local time.
destruction-of-nuweiba-and-its-coral-reefs
load restrictions apply.
Issue 1 June 2009
www.cdws.travel 7
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