Egypt to conduct shark behavior study in Red Sea

Egypt is conducting a thorough study of the movement and behavioral patterns of sharks on Red Sea coasts, to reduce fatal encounters with swimmers, the Ministry announced on Wednesday.

Its Ministry of Environment has contracted an international expert specialised in the field to supervise the study, which will be an 18-month, three-stage study, and will focus on three types of sharks that were involved in fatal and near fatal incidents.

The study, which follows an attack by a Tiger shark on a Russian swimmer in Hurghada, will be observing the sharks’ behavior along the 1,500km coast.

The first stage of the study will include collecting and analyzing data om previous incidents of shark attack, the second stage will have workers in nature preserves be trained on installing sensors to monitor shark movement.

“Installing these sensors would help authorities understands various types and sizes of sharks in the Red Sea, in order to implement safeguards for their health and safety as a species,” the Ministry stated.

The third stage will be focusing on analysing the collected data to better understand shark movement and behavioral patterns.

A 2022 joint report by specialists on Red Sea protectorates and Hurghada Environmental Protection and Conservation Association, has warned the public and authorities that shark attacks usually take place during their mating and egg-laying season between April and the end of July.