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Coral
reefs
are one of
nature's masterpieces, as well as the
chief reason for diving
the Red Sea. Paradoxically,
we divers who so enjoy the beauty of the reef also
constitute
its greatest enemy.
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The survival of the reef depends on an intricate
balance
between all of its components from
the tiny polyps which
build the calcium
carbonate exoskeleton of the reef,
to its great
pelagic visitors.
The diver is an alien from another dimension.
Each fin-stroke,
each unwary movement of the
diver may raise a cloud
of sediment or worse
still, break off a coral branch
which will take
years to repair.
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In order
to protect the reef, and to raise divers awareness of
their ecological impact,
certain areas were designated National Parks by the
Egyptian authorities.
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In 1983,
Law 102 came into force declaring the region
of
Ras Mohammed, including the Ras Mohammed peninsula
as well as the islands of Tiran and Sanafir, a Marine
Protected Area.
In June 1989, the area's boundaries were enlarged and
the
region was declared a National Park from Shaab Mahmud
in
the west to Sharm el Sheikh in the east.
In 1991, the area of Ras Nasrani was added to the Park,
which was extended further north to Ras Abu Galum in
1992.
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