Divers and snorkellers are being treated to an unusual sight at Gota Abu Ramada. The popular dive site is the home of the world’s first underwater Shark Monument - a sculpture of a Great White Shark on top of a three meters long knife.

The Shark Monument is the result of a unique partnership between HEPCA and the international shark protection organization SHARKPROJECT. Shark Monuments are to be placed at several locations around the world to raise awareness of the importance of sharks and the threat to their future. It is a great honour for the Red Sea that the first of these monuments has been placed here.

The first underwater Shark Monument of a worldwide campaign was placed underwater in the Egyptian National Park of Giftun Island on 19th October 2007 near to the popular dive site of Gota Abu Ramada. This site was chosen by the National Parks Authority of Egypt and the Red Sea Governorate to achieve maximum exposure for the Monument and its important environmental message, which will now reach the many thousands of divers and snorkellers who visit here each year. The location of the Monument will also help to take some of the pressure off the main reef at the site by providing an alternative focus.

This campaign for shark protection has been launched in the Red. Sea resort of Hurghada, Egypt, as part of a unique cooperation between the international shark protection organisation SHARKPROJECT and HEPCA.

The launch was marked by the placement of the world’s first underwater Shark Monument; a sculpture of a great white shark on top of a three metre long knife, which is intended to raise awareness of the importance of sharks to the marine ecosystem and their vulnerability in the face of extinction. The Monument also serves as a wider symbol of the continuing threat of human civilisation on the oceans and their inhabitants.

The ceremonial sinking of the Shark Monument was followed by a reception and press conference hosted by Amr Ali, Managing Director of HEPCA, and Dr. Andreas Keppeler, Founding Member of SHARKPROJECT, which was attended by leading scientists, environmentalists and media representatives.

This event follows the success of a campaign by HEPCA and fellow organisations that resulted in a decree banning shark fishing in the Egyptian Red Sea and the serving of shark meat in restaurants. As a direct result of this campaign and the resulting decree, SHARKPROJECT honoured Egypt with their award as Shark Guardian of the Year 2006.