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This summer we’ve enjoyed regular encounters with whale sharks, reef sharks and scalloped hammerheads, plus rarer sightings of oceanic white-tip, nurse and guitar sharks. Shark encounters are a great privilege. Fortunately, each time we log a sighting on the Shark Trust's database, we are helping to conserve these endangered species. According to Ali Hood, Shark Trust director, our data contributes significantly to existing knowledge of shark diversity and abundance. Thanks to sightings data, “current sightings can be compared to historic or future shark distributions, and changes can be assessed. We definitely need more submissions to the database”. Visit our Eco Tribe page for more information about our marine conservation activities.

Camel instructor Jamie has enjoyed two close encounters with whale sharks this August. His first lucky sighting was at Ras Za’atar, in Ras Mohammed National Park. Jamie described the experience: “I couldn’t believe our luck as we were kitted up ready to go in the water when someone shouted ‘whale shark!’. Before jumping I dashed to the saloon to grab my camera. Once underwater, we saw the shark in the distance and thought our chance was lost. But it turned and headed straight towards us! It was about five metres long, and stayed with us for about ten minutes, during which it turned several times and came very close”. Two weeks later, Jamie and his divers spent 15 minutes snorkelling with a four metre whale shark near Dunraven wreck. Take a look at Jamie’s amazing whale shark photos and video footage.

This August, we hosted Dave Sergeant, a final-year undergraduate student from Manchester University, UK, for two weeks as our ‘marine biologist in residence’. He joined our dive boats to provide guests and staff with in-depth information about Red Sea reefs. Dave also shared his knowledge of toxic marine life, his special interest, via a presentation at Camel Bar on 14th August. He revealed a fascinating link between puffer fish and the existence of ‘zombies’, the myth of humans rising from the grave. Dave explained that toxins in puffer fish can induce a state of death-like coma if eaten. In some cases, victims of puffer fish toxin had been declared dead and been buried, only to ‘return to life’ when the effects of the toxin wore off. Thanks to Cath and the Eco Tribe team for organising the highly entertaining presentation.

On 3rd July we hosted a presentation by the well known underwater photographer Alex Mustard. Staff and guests packed into Camel Bar to see Alex’s slideshow, and pick up tips on how to improve their own photos. Alex encouraged divers to get creative with their underwater shots, as demonstrated by his picture of the Thistlegorm lit from inside with a torch. This shot is a good example of using lighting for a different view of a common underwater photo subject. Alex emphasised the need for divers to take photos in a responsible way underwater. After seeing such incredible photographs those present had no doubt about the importance of his message.

On 1st July, together with other Sharm dive centres, we provided a boat and team of volunteers for a cleanup at Jackfish Alley, in Ras Mohammed National Park. The cleanup was organised by Egypt’s Chamber for Diving and Watersports and National Park authorities, following reports of a large quantity of nylon fishing line littering the reef. After a briefing by National Park rangers, we removed the line using scissors to avoid damaging corals. Over 150 kg of line, weights and hooks were collected. This is unfortunate evidence that illegal fishing continues. It highlights the importance of CDWS current efforts to tighten controls on fishing.