Red Sea Governor Magdy Qoubeissy has urged local fishermen to pursue work in the tourism field, citing a severe declined in the area's fish population.
Qoubeissy said around 75 percent of the governorate's fishermen have already left the industry due to decreasing fish quantities, noting that Red Sea fish production does not exceed two percent of the Egyptian fishing industry.
Moreover, fish farms are not an option in Red Sea Governorate because of particularly high salinity rates.
Qoubeissy pledged employment is available for all fisherman in the marine and diving industries, adding that he has pressured Minister of Agriculture Amin Abaza to stop fishing in the area, including annual fishing competitions.
Regulating the industry will save the unique fish and coral reefs which attract more than four million tourists annually, Qoubeissy said.
Translated from the Arabic Edition.
