Egypt’s Ministers of Environment, Tourism postpone fees on diving activities for 3 months

Daily News Egypt
2 Min Read

After complaints from diving centres regarding the rules of benefiting from maritime activities and the fees implemented on these activities in accordance with law 204 for 2019, ministers of environment and tourism postponed implementing the decision for three months.    

Following a meeting with Minister of Environment Yasmine Fouad, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Khaled Enany, and Hesham Gabr, the head of the Egyptian Chamber of Diving and Watersports, the two ministers said that the fees are meant to protect marine natural resources.  

They also decided to offer a 50% discount for daily trips to and from Hurghada for seven months. Motorboats less than 25 metres are exempted from protected areas’ entrance fee for six months.

Fouad noted that the law aims to protect the natural resources and counter any activities or measures that could be harmful for the environment, wildlife, marine life, flora, or anything that negatively affects protected areas. 

She further said that zones under the authority of environmental administrations are part of thee protected areas. 

Moreover, the Minister of Environment witnessed the signing of a cooperation protocol between the Environmental Affairs Agency and the National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries.

The protocol aims to increase cooperation in the field of environmental protection, and natural resources in accordance with the mechanisms of sustainable development in addition to encouraging scientific research and linking it with the applied aspects of achieving development.

According to a statement from the Ministry of Environment on Wednesday, the protocol includes setting an annual work plan on ways and areas of cooperation activities in areas of mutual interest while strengthening and developing them. This is meant to take advantage of the capabilities and expertise available and to make optimal use of them. It also includes using simulation models and programmes to rehabilitate Egyptian lakes.

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