Shark Week for Environmental Researchers by HEPCA and the Financial Sustainability of protected areas project (EEAA- UNDP-GEF)
calendar_monthSeptember 15, 2017
From the 14th to the 21st of September, HEPCA launched its first field scientific expedition to monitor the Sharks of the Red Sea. This trip was conducted as part of the cooperation protocol between HEPCA and the Financial Sustainability of Protected Areas Project (EEAA- UNDP-GEF) HEPCA hosted a group of environmental researchers from Abu Galoum Protected Area, Ras Mohammed National Park, North Islands Protected Area, Wadi El Gimal National Park and Jabel Elba Protected Area The field training was conducted under the supervision of the international expert Mr. Gerhard Wegner – president of Shark Project organization his team Dr. Barbara Szvetits & Ms. Brigitta Uitz The program included lectures and practical trainings aiming to provide researchers with the following skills: -Sharks monitoring methods. -Sharks behavior & human impact -Proper management of shark attacks incidents -Code of conduct to encounter sharks by divers & snorkelers Several species of sharks were recorded in the Brothers Islands, Abu El Kizan "Deadalous Reef" and Elphinstone during this expedition: Oceanic White-tip Shark "Carcharhinus longimanus", The grey reef shark "Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos", Great Hammerhead "Sphyrna mokarran", Pelagic Thresher Shark "Alopias pelagicus", White-tip Reef Shark "Triaenodon obesus" and Blacktip Shark "Carcharhinus limbatus" This training is part of the joint goal of HEPCA and the Ministry of Environmental Affairs to increase the capabilities of environmental researchers in the red sea & Gulf of Aqaba national parks and protected areas, which ultimately contribute to the conservation of the unique natural resources of the Red Sea HEPCA in cooperation with Sharkproject are planning to issue a technical report about trip which includes recommendations for decision makers and designing a training program for diving and water sports activities.
