 |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
[b]Ras Mohammed clean-up[/b]
The Ras Mohammed National Park and CDWS are looking for individual diving volunteers to take part in the first of a series of projects to remove debris from some of the world's most celebrated dive sites.
CDWS members in Sharm el Sheikh have donated boats, time and a whole day to an underwater clean up of one of Ras Mohammed’s sites.
Teaming up with the Ras Mohammed National Park Authorities, diving operations will organise for boats and volunteers to remove a massive amount of fishing line from around 500m of reef at Jackfish Alley on 1 July. Marker buoys will be placed on the site for each area to be cleaned.
The National Park said Jackfish Alley would be closed to all other divers while the clean-up was completed throughout the day. A guide from the Ras Mohammed National Park will join each boat to brief staff and guest divers on safe and environmentally friendly clean-up techniques, as well as provide all the materials needed to remove waste.
There are still places on three of the boats left to fill. Divers must be qualified to at least PADI advanced open water or equivalent with minimum 60 logged dives. For resident divers wishing to take part email board.marketing@cdws.travel.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
[b]CDWS audit application deadline: 30 June[/b]
CDWS has appealed for all operations which have not yet applied to renew their Ministry of Tourism license or request an ISO audit to contact the CDWS immediately in order to meet the 30 June deadline. The CDWS has also requested that safari yacht owners to apply and comply with all requirements needed in accordance with the ministerial decree 478 year 2006 as the deadline has been extended to 10 August 2009. If you need more information on this matter see http://www.cdws.travel/chamber-news.aspx?id=26.or email board.marketing@cdws.travel.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
[b]Shark feeding violations [/b]
The CDWS is appealing for all its members to report any incidents of shark feeding in the Egyptian Red Sea, following the attack of a snorkeller at St Johns Reef on 1 June. Shark experts throughout the world say feeding can severely disturb the sensitive marine eco-system and behaviour of marine animals, particularly unpredictable open ocean shark species, such as the whitetip oceanic. Shark feeding is a serious violation of Red Sea rules and is detrimental to both the environment and marine tourism. Reported incidents of safari boats feeding sharks in the area where the attack happened are currently being investigated.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
[b]Many sharks close to extinction[/b]
A third of all the world’s sharks and rays are under serious threat of extinction according to the latest International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) report. Overfishing led by a continued demand for shark fin has been highlighted as the major threat by the IUCN, which has now 64 species of shark on its latest Red List.
Of the 64 species labelled under serious threat, 32 per cent face possible extinction. A further 24 species have been classified as near threatened in the IUCN Red List.
Hammerhead sharks, common in Red Sea waters, rate high on the extinction list as the species has become a favoured target for shark finners.
The Egyptian Red Sea is one of the few places where a complete ban on shark fishing has been introduced. This summer divers in Hurghada and Sharm el Sheikh have been reporting nearly-daily encounters with sharks and rays, including hammerheads, whale sharks and manta rays. Save Our Seas (www.saveourseas.com) and the Shark Trust (www.sharktrust.org) collect data submitted online for such research programmes.
Submitted reports of such encounters offer researchers valuable information on global populations. The Shark Specialist Group is expected to publish a complete report, outlining the status of all 400 species of shark, and closely related skates and rays later this year.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
[b]CDWS supported training courses [/b]
Sponsored training courses organised by the CDWS to increase knowledge across the industry in safety and environmental awareness started in June in the South Sinai. A number of Egyptian dive centre workers were sponsored to complete PADI snorkel guide training this month, which included full first aid training and marine environment education, supported by the Ras Mohammed National Parks. July will see the first pilot scheme to train diving boat and speedboat skippers in seamanship and first aid skills as well as advice on how to better protect the underwater environment. See the CDWS website www.cdws.travel for more information.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
[b]Nuweiba power plant protest [/b]
Up to 2,000 people have now signed the petition calling for proposed plans to build a power plant in the Sinai resort of Nuweiba to be scrapped. The online petition was started by local dive centres that claim the construction of a 105,000 square-metre power plant with 80m high gas powered turbines would have a devastating impact on the environment underwater and on land. The target for the online petition is 5,000 signatures, see http://www.thepetitionsite.com/2/stop-the-destruction-of-nuweiba-and-its-coral-reefs.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
[b]BLUE magazine[/b]
[b]Still a chance to win a kitesurfing course worth 220 Euros [/b]
The prize supplied by Colona Watersports is still up for grabs to readers of BLUE, the official magazine for diving and watersports in Egypt. The lucky winners will be announced in Issue Two, available in August. To enter the competition click here: BLUE magazine Issue One
[b]Protect the reef[/b]
In the next issue BLUE will be looking at how each one of us can help to educate non-diving or snorkelling tourists to prevent them damaging the marine environment. What is the best way to educate tourists about the serious impact they cause by walking on the reef or littering? Email charlotte.boan@cdws.travel with your suggestions of no more than 50 words.
[b]Green Team[/b]
In each issue BLUE will be looking at the work being done by particular operations to help the environment and support local projects. Is your centre doing interesting work in this field and feel it should be featured in the magazine? Email charlotte.boan@cdws.travel.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
[b]CDWS member news: send us your stories[/b]
Have you seen or been involved in an important diving or watersports event? Is something significant happening where your centre or operation is based which other CDWS members or the diving press would be interested to hear about?
Email your stories to charlotte.boan@cdws.travel or board.marketing@cdws.travel.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sharm el Sheikh, South Sinai Branch
Tel: +20 69 3666 448 / +20 69 3666 449
Fax: +2 (069) 366 63 24
Email: sinai.office@cdws.travel |
Hurghada, Red Sea Branch
Tel: +2 (065) 346 25 63 / +2 (065) 346 25 64
Fax: +2 (065) 346 25 62
Email: redsea.office@cdws.travel |
|
