Coral degradation, fish species decline and an increase in jellyfish population.
Observation: Coral degradation in Hurghada means most of the shore reefs are dead and colourless. During my initial visits to Hurghada I enjoyed the company of numerous diverse types and colours of fish while swimming. Now I need to go farther and farther out in the water. Since I am not a diver, I typically do not see more than one or two types of fish and in small numbers. They seem to have been replaced by jellyfish. The first time I noticed jellyfish was the spring of 2016. They were present again in April 2017. In 2016 the numbers were countless. Resort staff filled up garbage bags to clear some parts of the water without making any noticeable progress. In the last visit I did not see such huge numbers but we were at a different location. However, once again jelly fish were noted in the water and washed up on shore. For years I have read about the plastic and other waste problems in seas and oceans. This year was the first time I found significant amounts of waste in the water and on the shore. Types of waste included plastic cups, styrofoam plates, pampers, fuel containers and plastic bags.
Coral degradation (Photo courtesy of Dalia Noureldin)
Coral degradation (Photo courtesy of Dalia Noureldin)
I typically do not see more than one or two types of fish and in small numbers. They seem to have been replaced by jellyfish. (Photo courtesy of Dalia Noureldin)
Significant amounts of waste in the water and on the shore. (Photo courtesy of Dalia Noureldin)
The first time I noticed jellyfish was the spring of 2016. (Photo courtesy of Dalia Noureldin)
