Rules & Protected Species

Fish responsibly in Egypt & the Red Sea

๐Ÿšซ Protected โ€” must release

๐Ÿฆˆ

All sharks & rays

No-take (banned)

ุฃุณู…ุงูƒ ุงู„ู‚ุฑุด ูˆุงู„ุดูู†ูŠู†

Egypt prohibits catching, landing and selling sharks and rays in the Red Sea. Release immediately if hooked.

๐ŸŸ

Humphead (Napoleon) Wrasse

Protected (CITES II)

ุณู…ูƒุฉ ู†ุงุจู„ูŠูˆู†

Slow-growing reef giant, heavily overfished. Internationally protected โ€” must be released.

๐Ÿข

Sea turtles

No-take (protected)

ุงู„ุณู„ุงุญู ุงู„ุจุญุฑูŠุฉ

All marine turtles are protected. Never take, harass or hook deliberately; release with care.

๐Ÿ‹

Dugong

No-take (endangered)

ุจู‚ุฑ ุงู„ุจุญุฑ / ุงู„ุฃุทูˆู…

Critically threatened in the Red Sea. Strictly protected โ€” keep your distance.

๐Ÿชธ

Corals & giant clams

No-take / no damage

ุงู„ุดุนุงุจ ุงู„ู…ุฑุฌุงู†ูŠุฉ

Taking, breaking or anchoring on coral is illegal. Giant clams are protected. Use mooring buoys.

๐Ÿ 

Grouper on spawning aggregations

Avoid (seasonal)

ุงู„ู‡ุงู…ูˆุฑ (ู…ูˆุณู… ุงู„ุชูƒุงุซุฑ)

Groupers gather to spawn and are wiped out fast if targeted then. Avoid known aggregation sites in season.

๐Ÿ—บ Marine protected areas

Ras Mohammed National Park

Sinai tip

No fishing inside park boundaries; permit & fees apply for access.

Giftun Islands (Mahmya)

Hurghada

Protected reef system โ€” no-take zones; follow marked areas.

The Brothers, Daedalus & Elphinstone

Offshore Marine Park

Offshore marine protected area โ€” restricted, permit-only access.

Wadi El Gemal National Park

Marsa Alam

Protected coast & islands โ€” fishing restricted, check permits.

Nabq & Abu Galum

Gulf of Aqaba

Managed protectorates โ€” local fishing rules apply.

โ›” Banned methods

  • โœ•Dynamite, poison or any explosive/chemical fishing โ€” serious crime.
  • โœ•Spearfishing while on scuba (and spearfishing is banned in most protected areas).
  • โœ•Fishing inside national parks / no-take zones without a permit.
  • โœ•Anchoring on coral reefs โ€” use mooring buoys instead.
  • โœ•Taking, selling or transporting protected species (sharks, turtles, Napoleon wrasse, coral).

โœ… Responsible angling

  • โœ“Keep only what you'll eat โ€” release the rest, especially big breeding fish.
  • โœ“Use barbless or single hooks and wet hands when releasing.
  • โœ“Avoid the largest groupers and snappers โ€” they carry higher ciguatera risk and are key breeders.
  • โœ“Let undersized and slow-growing reef fish go to fight another day.
  • โœ“Crush your barbs, carry out all line and lures โ€” lost tackle kills wildlife.

Important

This is general guidance, not legal advice. Egyptian fishing rules, permits and protected-area boundaries change and vary by region. Always check current rules with local authorities (EEAA), your charter captain, the marine park office, or the coast guard before fishing.