In an Egyptian resort, tourists encountered a mermaid: while diving in the area of Abu Dabbab Bay, north of Marsa Alam, they spotted a rare and endangered sea creature, the dugong. Some believe that these sea giants served as the “prototype” for mythological mermaids. The name “duyong” itself comes from the Malay duyung, which means “sea maiden” (which is exactly what “mermaid” means).
Dugong, which lives in the Red Sea, is in danger of extinction and is under the protection of the law. However, it attracts tourists who seek a rare opportunity to swim next to it. They are found in limited numbers on the Egyptian coast, including in Hurghada and Marsa Alam, where divers from all over the world flock to observe these creatures in their natural habitat.
Ahmed Gallab, an environmental researcher from the Red Sea Reserves Authority, confirmed that the Marsa Alam region is the main dugong sighting site. “Each area is usually home to a single dugong, which is frequented by tourist boats that drop off tourists near the area to observe and swim with it to take souvenir photos,” Gallab added. At the same time, officials at the reserve have made great efforts to monitor the dugongs and ensure their safety, Gallab added, as well as to ensure compliance with environmental procedures in places where the animal is found.
Let’s add that other marine visitors are not so pleasant for tourists. Only in the middle of September in connection with another shark attack on a person in the resorts of Egypt. Tourists were urged to be extremely careful while vacationing at the resorts, and first of all, to observe the imposed restrictions on swimming in the sea.
On the coast of the Egyptian city of Dahab on the Sinai Peninsula, an Egyptian citizen was attacked by a shark. The beach in Dahab was temporarily closed. We ask tourists vacationing in Egyptian resorts to strictly follow all the instructions of the local authorities, including restrictions on swimming in the open sea,” the message stated. It also says that in Egypt, the Egyptian Ministry of Environmental Affairs has established a commission to find out the causes of the incident and survey the coastal zone.