Human impacts on the coastal zone of Hurghada,northern Red Sea,Egypt

Hurghada is located along the western margin of the northern Red Sea. The fringing coral reef and the pleasant dry weather make Hurghada an attractive tourist site. Over 40 recreational projects have been constructed, and there is a need for more such projects in spite of the fact that they threaten the coastal zone of Hurghada. Subsequent environmental hazards have been created that impacted the coastline and the marine ecosystem. The living corals and the marine ecology in the reef system have suffered dramatic degradation. The depositional—hydrodynamic pattern has been affected as a result of blocking littoral currents by protruded constructions. Subsequently, some coastal segments have been subjected to local downdrift erosion.