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Marine Park Authority Fees

Declaration of protected areas in the Red Sea: Policy makers in Egypt understand that the best approach to protect marine resources especially coral reefs in areas characterize with booming in tourism development, such as the Egyptian coast of the Red Sea, is declaring Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) along the Egyptian coast of the Red Sea. More than 80% of the coral reefs on the Egyptian coast are declared as MPAs. Based on the major sensitive habitats especially coral reefs, Egypt declared 6 MPAs since 1983. They include interconnected marine and terrestrial sectors based on conserving coral reefs and accompanying systems, marine ecosystem, mangrove bushes, marine islands and adjacent mountain and desert areas. They also serve as attractions for tourist seeking scuba diving and water sports in Egypt. These protected areas include: Ras Mohammed Protected area, Nabq, and Abu-Galum in South Sinai Governorate Gulf of Aqaba), and Elba, (the Red Sea islands), Wadi El Gemal and more recently Northern Islands Protected area (2006) in the Red Sea Governorate (Red Sea). The Gulf of Aqaba Protectorates consists of a network of three distinct units linked by protected coastlines, thereby creating a continuous length of protected shorelines on the Gulf of Aqaba stretching from Taba to Ras Mohammed at southern extremity of the Sinai Peninsula. The declaration in 1983 of the Ras Mohammed Marine Protected Area marked the beginning of a process that was to eventually establish management over all coastal marine environments on the Gulf of Aqaba. Immediate actions included expansion of existing boundaries from 97 km2 to 210 km2 and designation as a National Park. Support for management policies implemented in Ras Mohammed led to the declaration of two additional Protectorates on the Gulf of Aqaba in 1992. These areas are known respectively as the Nabq and Abu Galum Managed Resource Protected Areas. In 1994, those protected areas were linked together with the Ras Mohammed National Park through protecting all coastlines. Thus the Ras Mohammed National Park Sector was established. It consists of 1470 km2 of marine and terrestrial habitats and 52 % of Egypt's littoral on the Gulf of Aqaba. Successful results of EEAA (The Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency) actions on the Gulf of Aqaba, coupled with strong support from many investors and stakeholders, led the Government to declare in 1996 the remainder of Egypt's littoral on the Gulf of Aqaba as extension to the Abu Galum Managed Resource Protected Area. Landwards expansion was realized through the St. Katherine In summer 2003 the human pressure within Samadai reef and on the dolphins peaked sharply, reportedly with up to > 800 swimmers being present in the small lagoon on a single day (Sarhan et al. 2004). Hordes of tourists are said to having been brought in the water, in close contact with the resting dolphins, with little or no concern for safety aspects, for the ecological fragility of the situation, and for the need of respectful behaviour in the presence of the resting wild mammals. Excess in swimmer density and documented objectionable behaviour of some visitors within the reef was said to be causing noticeable distress in the dolphins, and there was general agreement that situation had to be brought under strict control without delay if the continued presence of the dolphins in Samadai was to be ensured. As a consequence, in December 2003 a decision was adopted by the local governing authorities to suspend all visits to Samadai reef until a management scheme was in place. A provisional management scheme was thus implemented starting in January 2004. Measures included: the zoning of the reef into three areas (Figure 22); a daily ceiling of 100 snorkellers and 100 divers visiting the reef aboard a maximum of 10 large boats; time limits to visits (from 10 AM to 2 PM); admission of swimming visitors limited to a restricted zone outside of what was thought to be the critical dolphin habitat, under the guidance of certified guides; the adoption and dissemination of a code of conduct; and the payment of an entrance fee (approx. $16/vistor/trip). Meanwhile, monitoring program on dolphin population is conducted as indicator for the effectiveness of the implemented site management plan. Declaration of Samadai Reef as special area for conservation or sanctuary is considered as one of the most successful conservation story for many reasons: First, it constrain the human presence in the reef within limits will not cause degradation for dolphin habitat or the dolphin abandonment to the reef; second, It is allowed the continuation a tourist activity involving a respectful interaction with the dolphins which is important for the local economy; Third, the generated money from the implemented fees collection system is used as a source of self finance to cover conservation activities, where 30% of the annual income re-invest in mooring installation and maintenance by HEPCA and another 30% to cover part of the operational cost of the Red Sea Protectorates; Fourth, the reef is represented highly educational value having the benefit of enhancing human attention, attraction and care for marine environment. Fees and service charge collection: MPAs entrance fees collecting by the RMPs Authority: For the two Giftun Islands near Hurghada, a RSMP fee of $2/day for foreigners or 2 LE/day for Egyptians has been in effect since July 2000 (after protests forced a reduction from the original fee of $5/5LE, according to the minister of Environment decree). It was slated to be raised again in November 2002, but this has not been implemented yet. Entrance to the reefs at several other Protectorate islands nearby the Giftuns has remained free of charge ($0). For some southern “Far Islands” that are further offshore, a total fee of at least $35 for a trip to the Brothers Islands ($5/day, for a minimum of 7 days) has been collected. Longer “safaris” that include the deep southern sites of Rocky and Zabargad Islands are reportedly sometimes charged for 12 days ($60). Tour operators indicate that less than half of each trip is usually spent at the specifically-protected Far Islands. The fee for Egyptians is 5 LE/day, but very few Egyptians venture to the Far Islands. Charge for Service collected by the red sea Governorate: Since 2001, the Red Sea Governorate has imposed an “environmental tax” on a basis 3.5 LE/diver/day for divers, 2 LE/snorkeler/day for snorkelers, and 5 LE/diver/night for safari boats. Since 2004, the governorate is charging service charge of approx. $16/vistor/trip as entrance fees to Samadai Reef (Dolphin House). Unified charge for service: In 2005, the Red Sea Governorate and EEAA agreed to unify the fees and charge system by collected one service for charge for the whole marine area except the far Island and Dolphin house, and a protocol was signed by both sides (Red Sea Governor and the minister of Environment) . The value started with 12LE/visitor/trip and ended with 100LE/boat/trip Now and after January 2011, no fees collection at all except the entrance fees to Samadai reef (Dolphin House)