Egypt launches Red Sea shark satellite tracking in regional first
Egypt has successfully completed the first phase of a national programme to monitor and satellite-track sharks in the Red Sea, Environment Minister Yasmine Fouad announced on Saturday, hailing the initiative as a landmark step in marine conservation across the region.
The mission was led by a multidisciplinary Egyptian team comprising experts from the Ministry of Environment, the Hurghada Environmental Protection and Conservation Association (HEPCA), and the Chamber of Diving and Water Sports. It was conducted in collaboration with the ministry's 'Green Hurghada' initiative and a French shark-tracking specialist.
Fouad confirmed that nine satellite tags were fitted to tiger sharks and oceanic whitetip sharks in critical habitats including the Brothers Islands, Elphinstone Reef in Marsa Alam, and Shaab Al Shur Reef near Safaga.
In addition to tagging, the team collected 14 biological samples for genetic analysis and photographed dorsal fins of the oceanic whitetip sharks to compile a visual ID catalogue based on their distinctive markings.
'Egypt is among the first countries in the Red Sea region to implement a satellite monitoring programme for apex predators such as tiger, mako, and oceanic whitetip sharks,' said Fouad, adding that the initiative underscores Egypt's commitment to global best practices in biodiversity protection.
The programme's primary aim is to study both vertical and horizontal shark movement patterns across the Red Sea basin. These insights are expected to support long-term conservation strategies, as well as inform risk management and tourism planning. Sharks, Fouad emphasised, play a vital ecological role as apex predators and are a major attraction for Egypt's thriving marine tourism sector.
The minister praised the team's strict adherence to international environmental protocols, noting that all tagged sharks were safely released back into their natural habitats. The devices were tested to confirm data accuracy and functionality, with tracking expected to continue for at least one year.
'This is a significant step toward understanding and protecting marine biodiversity in Egypt and the broader Red Sea region,' Fouad concluded, reiterating the ministry's dedication to science-based policymaking and sustainable marine resource management.
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