Emperor Divers is proud to support a new awareness campaign aiming to stop a worrying rise in dolphin disturbances in the Red Sea.
Conservation group HEPCA (Hurghada Environmental Protection and Conservation Association) has set out to bring an end to what many still see as harmless encounters but which are, in reality, causing serious harm.
Under the headline “This is Harassment”, the campaign challenges a long-standing problem in marine tourism – the damage caused by close approaches to dolphin pods.
Recent figures underline the scale of the issue. Reports of dolphin harassment have risen sharply, with more than 200 incidents recorded this year and a 47% increase in violations. Behind those numbers lies a growing concern: repeated disturbance is altering natural behaviour, forcing dolphins to abandon resting areas, interrupting nursing, and increasing stress levels within pods.
The campaign highlights what responsible encounters look like – observing from a respectful distance, allowing dolphins to approach naturally, and keeping interactions calm and controlled. Such experiences can be truly magical – but only the dolphins’ terms.
HEPCA’s message is simple and built around three clear rules: Don’t chase. Don’t feed. Don’t touch.
Chasing dolphins forces them to flee and expend vital energy. Feeding alters natural hunting behaviour and creates dependency. Touching risks injury, stress, and even disease transmission.
This practice is already illegal. Under Egyptian Law 4/1994, harming or disturbing marine mammals is a criminal offence and violators can face up to 50,000 EGP in fines and two years of imprisonment. In protected zones, penalties escalate to 100,000 EGP.
The wider message, though, is about protecting the long-term future of the Red Sea’s marine life and the tourism industry that depends on it. Successful examples such as Samadai (Dolphin House) show that clear rules and consistent enforcement can strike a balance between conservation and visitor experience.
Ultimately, these encounters should not be about getting closer.
They should be about showing respect. Or, as the campaign puts it: this is not interaction. Not play. Not tourism.
At Emperor Divers, we support this campaign and fully believe responsible encounters are key to protecting the Red Sea’s marine life for the future.
Find out more about HEPCA and the work it carries out in the Red Sea by visiting their website.