Recently in Conservation Category

Reef Conservation International (ReefCI) and Emperor Hurghada have joined forces to help monitor and survey the reefs with the help of local volunteers and visiting divers in order to add to an international database and also to help existing local organisations in protecting and surveying the coral reef ecosystem.

From 1 day right up to 6 days or more, it's possible to complete a number of educational programs including looking at coral bleaching and disease, human impacts on the reef and the identification of key species, which offer an indication of the overall health of the reef ecosystem. Already, a number of 1-day educational programs have been completed at Emperor Divers and some guests have so far completed the full 6-day. One of these guests, Rosemary Winnett, has already booked to come back only 8 months after completing her first course to conduct another 6 days of reef monitoring. Many thanks go to her for her willingness and efforts in helping to monitor and protect Hurghada's marine ecosystem.

For more information, please contact Emperor Divers' in-house marine biologist, Paul Vinten at reefci@emperordivers.com or visit emperordivers.com/hurghada_reefci.php.

Date: 15/05 - 22/05/2008
Cost: Liveaboard 1075 Euro pp + Course 160 Euro pp

Emperor Divers has launched a new liveaboard safari where you can choose to learn about the fundamentals of underwater ecosystems and why marine life behaves the way it does. Why are some fish monogamous and others polygamous and why should that affect their colouring? No prior knowledge is needed.

On the same safari, Peter Bergquist, a well known underwater photographer featured in a number of international magazines and books, will lead a new digital underwater photo course teaching the basics of underwater photography for beginners and intermediates, so no prior knowledge is needed.

So you can take both or one or the other - now that's variety!

The Eco and Photo courses run side by side and take place on Gold Fleet liveaboard Emperor Majesty with air-con ensuite cabins and salons, a large dive deck and sun deck, Jacuzzi/hot tub plus two towels and a bathrobe each!

Email info.safaris@emperordivers.com to book your place today.

The Dugong survey is going strong with more and more details coming in from guides and guests alike. Recently, the team has seen pairs of Dugongs and identified the same individual as a 'local' at one of the closest sites. The ever popular Abu Dabab shore dive has also given some amazing encounters with Denis and Lucy the two resident Dugongs.

The photo of the week competition always causes debate over which diver has taken the best picture but this fabulous one was taken by a non-diver happily enjoying a day out snorkelling! So it just goes to prove all that gear does not make the perfect picture. Well done to all our budding photographers.

As we've mentioned once or twice before, Emperor has teamed up with ReefCI so that you can dive AND help the marine environment at the same time. Based in Hurghada, the courses vary in length and, indeed, depend on what you want to get out of them.

For more information go to www.emperordivers.com/hurghada_reefci.php or email reservations@emperordivers.com

Under the supervision of Marsa Alam's 'Resident Instructor Dugong Spotter' (RIDS!), Mo, guests have had no less than 10 encounters this month including two dugong at the surface a couple of times.

The team is looking at the relationship of weather, tides and moon phase to see if there is a pattern that would allow them to predict when the sightings increase. So far, surface sightings seem to be in rough seas and almost all sightings are around mid day.

One strange idea was that they are attracted by singing underwater...however, this seemed to have had the reverse effect but if you have heard the guides sing you would completely understand why!