This study is trying to assess the types and frequencies of occurrence of coral diseases. Are these diseases due to the impacts of global warming or tourism on coral reefs along the Red Sea coast off Hurghada? Results indicated that there is a high disease prevalence (46 %) with the presence of four coral diseases/ syndromes; White Syndrome (21.6%), Bleaching (16.2 %), Black Band Disease (8.2%) and overgrowth of sponge were near the sampling transects. Data of the Coral Reef Watch about the Sea Surface Temperature (SST) anomaly produced by National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) indicated that there was 1°C increase in SST in 2009 and 1.5°C increase in 2010 in the northern Red Sea region. The increased prevalence of coral diseases in the Red Sea coast off Hurghada might be attributed to sea surface temperature (SST) anomaly due to global warming. It might be also due to activities associated with tourism such as exaggerated coastal development through construction of hotels and increased sewage run off and unregulated recreational activities such as SCUBA diving, snorkeling, and reef walking. Coral reefs must be considered and incorporated into management plans. To conserve these valuable marine resources, we have to adopt the sustainability concept of ecotourism instead of mass and random tourism activities. |
