Sharm sets up designated swim areas
Saturday, 13 Dec, 2010
0
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
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Clearing CSS/JS assets' cache... Please wait until this notice disappears...
Updating... Please wait...
Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season