Damage to Coral

The marine public natural parks are governed under law no. 102/83. This law covers the destruction or damage of the marine environment.

Article 7 This imposes a penalty by way of imprisonment for a maximum of one year plus a minimum penalty of EGP 500 rising to a maximum of EGP 5000.

If the accused repeats the same act a minimum penalty of EGP 3.000 rising to a maximum of EGP 10.000 will be imposed together with a minimum of one year imprisonment. Further, the accused is required to remove the results of his action and/or amend by manner to be specified by the competent authority or its branches around the country and confiscation of all the equipment used in violating the law.

This law was amended by Ministerial Decree No. 1067/83 which widened the areas to be considered protected public parks.

The right of the EEAA to claim for damage to the environment was originally directed at the activities of divers but was subsequently used against vessels.

If an incident occurs over the weekend, it may be possible to release the vessel if the agents to pay the relevant amount. The law in Egypt has recently been changed to allow private agents and it is not clear how they would react in such a situation.