HEPCA - Hurghada Environmental Protection and Conservation Association
We are leading non-governmental organization (NGO) working in the field of marine and land conservation. Founded in 1992, we are is actively working towards the goal of protecting and preserving the natural resources of Egypt and the Red Sea.
With knowledge comes great responsibility. Over eight million visitors are drawn to Egypt and the Red Sea every year. Environmental deterioration is no longer a threat but a reality. We work together with our members and partners to develop and maintain a large number of projects and campaigns that help to ensure the preservation and sustainability of the Red Sea environment for the future.
We believe in visionary thinking and progressive action to bring about positive change. As a non-profit organization, we rely on support from individuals and other organizations that believe in maximizing their contribution to our world. We believe that achieving a sustainable future requires objective scientific data from the field and that the scientific process must engage the general public if it is to change the world. To that end, we involve people from all walks of life directly in global field research.
With this perspective, we recently commissioned the building of a new research centre in Abu Dabbab, which will be the first of its kind on the Red Sea. In conjunction, we have launched the Red Sea Defender, a maritime vessel dedicated to research and conservation activity throughout the region.
Member since: 21 Jun 2010
How the minimum criteria of the responsible travel standard was met...
Economic responsibility
We believe in the power of education first and foremost. We have spearheaded many campaigns in the region to raise awareness of environment, conservation and safety issues for tourists, workers and the local community alike.
Our international research team is composed of scientists specialised in several different marine environment topics.
Unlike tourists who only benefit from (and perhaps compromise) the end results of conservation efforts, eco-volunteers are part of the pleasures and difficulties involved in producing those end results.
Environmental responsibility
We are famous for having established the largest mooring system in the world. The mooring system prevents coral reef destruction from boat anchoring.
In cooperation with our partners, we have has also developed a solid waste management strategy that not only focuses on the collection and recycling of waste, but also provides valuable employment opportunities and a source of revenue to the local community.
Ourselves and the Egyptian Environmental Affair Agency (EEAA) signed an unprecedented agreement in 2001 to initiate zoning at the offshore reef of Samadai, more popularly known as “The Dolphin House”.
Social responsibility
We are committed to providing each guest with a memorable and enriching experience. This should begin with the understanding of the culture, natural history and beauty of the area of interest in order to contribute to the development of volunteers who are involved and not merely spectators, active and not passive.
The Red Sea Defender is a superb vessel that offers the highest levels of quality service. The spacious outside and inside areas of the vessel offer a variety of research activities, rest and leisure options.
All group sizes for our scheduled tours are for a maximum of 10 persons, as we feel that small group sizes allow for better supervision and more effective education.
