2011 rsds environmental policy

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Red Sea Diving Safari - Making a Difference in our World

Red Sea Diving Safari represents an international network of divers and eco-tour-

ists, which are committed to improving the environmental performance and overall

competitiveness of the Egyptian tourism industry through environmentally respon-

sible tourism practices. Our team has spent the last 20 years building this modelin collaboration with HEPCA, The Red Sea Protectorate, the Egyptian Chamber of

Diving and Watersports, and many other organizations and individuals.

Our efforts encompass many initiatives such as raising awareness, applying envi-

ronmentally responsible business practices, and funding/supporting environmen-

tal projects and scientic study & research. Below is an outline of these efforts

which are the cornerstone of our organization and constitutes our environmental

policy.

Marsa Shagra is a Marine Protectorate

Our minimum-impact policy has been internationally recognized

as a model of tourism development, and has ensured that our

house-reefs will not be negatively impacted by diving and oth-

er watersport activities. This concept is based on maximizing

the number of guests according to the carrying capacity of the

house reef. In Marsa Shagra for instance our maximum capacity

is 220 guests, while the Egyptian Tourism Development Agency

mandated us to build over 900 rooms. If we had not protested this tourism plan,

Marsa Shagra house reef would have denitely been destroyed in no time. We en-

force a zero tolerance attitude when it comes to environmental conservation and

violation of environmental law.

Waste & Water Recycling

In our efforts to protect and conserve the Red Seas delicate eco-systems, Red Sea

Diving Safari has implemented waste and water recycling practices. Fresh water is

a scarce and valuable resource in this regions hyper-arid climate. Solid waste man-

agement is also vital as the desert climate virtually halts the natural decomposition

of most waste and may also prevent growth of vegetation.

Our water supply is produced by a local desalination company and we have an on-

site wastewater treatment system. Our waste-water treatment

plant is comprised of three principal components: an equaliza-

tion tank, an aerated reactor, and a clarier. The equalization

tank receives and temporarily holds the wastewater which is

gradually fed to the aerated reactor. From here the raw wastewa-

ter is aerated and mixed with bacteria to be puried. The func-

tion of the bacteria is to transform the organic pollutants intocairoheadofce53elhusseinst.dokki,cairo,egypt

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edsea-divingsafari.com

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Environmental Policy 2011 Red Sea Diving Safari, The Eco-diving Adventure


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CO2 gas and new bacterial mass. This reactor is designed to retain the wastewater

for a dened period before discharging to the clarier. The clarier chamber allows

the bacterial mass to separate and settle from the efuent. This efuent is chlori-

nated, ltered, and then used for irrigation on the propertys landscape.

Waste management practices can be classied in to two categories: waste reduc-

tion & disposal measures. Waste reduction measures include waste minimization,waste reuse, and recycling. Disposal measures include incineration and land lling.

An example of waste reuse options are the re-lling of RSDS cooler bottles, which

every guest receives upon arrival. There are a number of water dispensers through-

out the village that can be used to re-ll the bottles, and this helps us eliminate

pollution caused by plastic bottles.

Red Sea Diving Safari has voluntarily contracted our local NGO

HEPCA to manage the waste produced by our villages. The Mate-

rial Recovery Facility (MRF) in Marsa Alam is the hub of HEPCAs

solid waste management strategy for the southern Red Sea. Our

waste is collected twice a day and separated into organic and

non-organic matter before being transported to the MRF. Non-or-

ganic waste is sorted, processed and traded through to recycling

rms and HEPCA also manages a controlled dumpsite for non-recyclables. Organic

waste is given to the local Beduoin community for animal feed. Many valuable em-

ployment opportunities have also been created for the local community in waste

collection, transportation, and stafng at the MRF. Further employment and income

is also generated through the selling of recyclable material. HEPCA estimates an

additional 70 jobs will be created annually in support of its waste management

program. Since its inception in 2009, HEPCAs MRF has recycled nearly 1 millionkilograms of waste!

We ask you to please do you part by not littering and appropri-

ately disposing of all waste in our numerous litter bins. These

bins are lined with biodegradable plastic bags made from poly-

ethylene plastic, which will degrade in 70-80 days in a standard

landll under local climatic conditions. The bags have also been

tested for toxicity and have been found to be harmless to the lo-

cal environment.

Energy Conservation

Many of our guests ask us about our energy conservation prac-

tices. There are limited electricity plants in Marsa Alam and one

of the only ways to power our villages is with diesel generators.

Generators need a minimum load to work efciently and this is

why there are lights on at certain hours during the day. Within

our operation we endeavor to ensure our boats and vehicles are

lled to maximum capacity and we have recently invested in en-

ergy saving light bulbs (CFLs) and are currently investigating Green Energy alterna-

tives and technologies.

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One of the main obstacles to converting to these types of technologies is that these

are relatively new trends in Egypt. Due to our remoteness in the southern Red Sea,

a complete transition to green energy is not an easy venture. Without access to

these technologies let alone the expertise, our company must embrace the task

of introducing these technologies to the region. Our C.E.O. is personally overseeing

this initiative and we assure you that its one of our top priorities. Considering our

current business eld this transition will take some time and considerable nancialresources.

Mangroves

Mangroves are a diverse group of salt-tolerant plants that grow

primarily in tropical and subtropical regions. A mangrove can

be dened as a tree, shrub, palm or ground fern, generally ex-

ceeding more than half a meter in height, and which normally

grow above mean sea level in the intertidal zones of marine

coastal environments.

Mangroves in Egypt are a protected species and are conserved under two environ-

mental laws, namely 102 of 1983 and 4 of 1994. You may have noticed a large blue

sign on entering our village which states their protection. 2 species of Mangroves

exist along the Red Sea coast; Avicennia Marina and Rhyzophora Mucronata. The

saline conditions tolerated by mangroves make them an oasis in this desert. Man-

groves are a habitat for shore and sea birds and mangrove roots provide marine

organism like algae, sponges, and crabs, with shelter. Marsa Shagra features a

large area of Mangrove stands which are one of the reasons this bay is a protected

area. We ask our guest to keep a distance from the mangrove shrubs and never

trample over them.

Cultural Heritage

There are 2 indigenous tribes living around the southern Red Sea and Eastern Des-

ert; the Ababda and Bishariya. Both tribes are descendants of the Beja Tribe which

were living as nomadic herdsmen for hundreds of years. Due to a drought in the

region that has lasted nearly a decade, these nomadic tribes have been forced to

settle closer to the coast. Their cultural heritage & traditions are now being threat-ened by the intrusion of modern civilization and unsustainable tourism practices.

To counter these effects, our team is actively promoting the Bedouin culture and

integrating this into the tourism experience. By promoting the Bedouin history and

heritage in our tourism program, we ensure a means of income to support the live-

lihood of the local tribe. Many of these Bedouins have been educated through us

and are now acting as tour guides and hosts, promoting their culture and way of

life. Other Bedouins and locals (who have traditionally been sherman) are nding

that working as skippers and boat captains is much more protable and ensures a

steady income from the tourism industry. These shermen still get the satisfactionof working in the sea, with added benets such as less work hours, higher income,

and job stability.


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Eco-diving & Research Efforts

Eco-diving is a term Red Sea Diving Safari has coined to describe an environ-

mentally oriented and educational diving experience. These are a rare and unfor-

gettable series of workshop where nature lovers are encouraged to develop their

knowledge of marine biology and underwater eco-systems. We work in a team ef-

fort under the supervision of marine biologists and scientists gathering valuabledata and knowledge about the Red Sea.

Red Sea Diving Safari also facilitates and supports international scientic research

by providing accommodation, logistics, liaison and information exchange between

individual marine scientists, national and international conservation agencies, and

undergraduate university students.

RSDS Environmentally Friendly Diving Practices:

Environmentally oriented dive briengs.Zero tolerance for irresponsible and careless diving.

Minimizing disturbance to marine life / absolutely no touching allowed.

Maximum number of house-reef dives no greater than its carrying capacity.

Initiating and Supporting Environmental Protection Projects:

Participation in the creation of a Marine Park in Shaab Samadai (Dolphin House)

Shark protection and monitoring campaign

Monitoring and reporting violation of governorate rules

Participation in Marsa Alams solid waste treatment plan

Supporting implementation of mooring systems & reporting mooring status toHEPCA

Carrying out reef surveys through Reef Check, Bleach Watch, Turtle Watch and Red

Sea Dolphin Project

Identifying and documenting sh population abundance through Fish Watch.

Eco- Diving Program:

Reef Check Stephan Moldzio

Fish Watch - Patrick Louisy

Sharkschool Dr. Erich Ritter

Bleach Watch Egypt HEPCA

Marine Video Workshop & Conservation Jeff Goodman

Supporting Environmental Protection and Responsible Diving Agencies:

Member of HEPCA (Hurghada Environmental Protection & Conservation Agency)

Ambassador Center of Longitude 181 (publisher of the Responsible Diver guide-

lines)

Member of Egyptian Chamber of Diving and Watersports

Ofcial Reef Check Sponsor.


tel:+20233371833/9942

fax:+20237494219

www.r


[email protected]

REDSEA

DIVINGS

AFARI

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marsanakarivillage

wadilahamivillage

pioneerdivers



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2011 rsds environmental policy

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