SINAI - South Sinai Governor Abdul Fadil Shosha has issued a decree banning all hunting and fishing activities in Ras Mohamed Natural Park, which is considered one of the most Important Bird Areas (IBA) of Egypt, an official said Friday. Mohamed Salem, the director general of South Sinai Protectorates Unit, said that environmentalists had welcomed Shosha's decree because it would help preserve environment, tourism industry and diving activities in the Peninsula. Salem said that the decree would protect the fauna and flora of Ras Mohamed Area. "The decree bans all hunting and fishing activities to protect and preserve the area's rare animals and fish from extinction," Salem said. He said that the decree was in compliances with the Governorate's policy in preserving the fauna and flora in their natural habitat. Salem said that the decree prevented the hunting of, or the destruction of habitat of birds and other wild animals, as well as banning fishing or harming fish and coral reefs in Ras Mohamed Natural Park and its surrounding areas. He said that the area's resident bird populations were threatened with increasing pressure from settlements, expanding tourism, illegal hunting and demands placed on scarce water resources. Ras Mohamed Protectorate is an important area for both resident and migratory birds, and requires ongoing protection, management and further research.
