Sharm sets up designated swim areas
Sunday, 13 Dec, 2010
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Shark-hit Sharm el Sheikh will see all its beaches reopened from today but there will be strict measures for keeping holidaymakers safe.
The resort, which is hugely popular with UK tourists, was rocked last week after a German women’s body was washed ashore having been mauled by a shark. Four others have been injured by similar attacks.
Egypt wasted no time in bringing in all manner of marine experts to try and work out why sharks were suddenly attacking.
Now south Sinai governor Mohammed Abdel Fadil Shousha has told a local press conference: “We have allowed the beaches to reopen on condition hotel owners adhere to new controls to ensure the safety of foreign tourists while diving or swimming.”
Divers will be permanently positioned in watch stations and the sea would be patrolled by boats looking out for sharks.
And although beaches and waters are open, there will be particular areas where swimmers and divers are allowed to go.
Experts studying the sudden attacks have come up with a few theories as to why the sharks have started to prey on humans.
According to Australia’s The Age newspaper, the first is that there has been overfishing in the waters.
The second, more bizarre, explanation, is that the sharks were attracted by a boat load of Australian sheep and cattle being transported for sacrifice at the Muslim Eid-al-Adha festival. When any animals died, they were thrown overboard – the scent attracting the sharks.
by Dinah Hatch
Dinah
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