Egypt’s Ministry of Environment announced on Wednesday the start of a two-day preparatory phase for studying the behaviour of sharks on the Egyptian coasts of the Red Sea, starting from the city of Hurghada.
The study targets three types of sharks, which are responsible for all recorded incidents in the Red Sea in recent years, according to local and international statistics. The study is also conducted under the supervision of an international expert specialized in this field, within 18 months in three stages.
Incidents of shark attacks are rare in the Egyptian Red Sea, the most famous of which was an attack that a Russian tourist early in June.
According to the ministry, the first stage is considered a preliminary stage for collecting data on previous incidents, analyzing the current situation, and manufacturing sensors to suit the national situation. Workers in nature reserves will also be trained to install these sensors to monitor shark behaviour.
During the second stage, the sensors will be installed, and this will require a few months to monitor the behaviour of the different types of targeted sharks, while the third stage includes analyzing the data collected by the sensors at different time periods.
The procedures for installing the sensors will include determining the type, size and condition of the fish. In terms of the safety of her health, this measure was taken as part of a set of measures in coordination with the Governor of the Red Sea to reduce the effects of overfishing on the environmental balance and the recurrence of incidents of attacks on humans, according to the statement of the ministry.
