Protecting the "Super Corals"
Our photogrammetry data identified a specific cluster of reefs north of Hurghada that showed zero bleaching during the 2023 heatwave. These "Super Coral" sites are critical genetic banks for the entire region. The proposed Marine Protected Area (MPA) extension is designed specifically to buffer these sites from anchor damage and fishing pressure.
Zoning Strategy
The proposal advocates for a multi-use zoning approach:
- Core Zone (Red): Strict no-entry zone dedicated to scientific monitoring.
- Buffer Zone (Blue): Regulated diving and tourism with strict mooring requirements.
- General Use (Green): Sustainable fishing permitted under quota.
"Data is useless if it sits on a hard drive. This proposal translates terabytes of 3D mapping data into a concrete legal framework that will safeguard these reefs for decades."
Public consultations with local stakeholders, including fishermen and dive operators, are scheduled to begin next month. We are optimistic that the decree will be signed by year's end.
