Manal Awad, Minister of Local Development and Acting Minister of Environment, states that protecting Egyptian coasts is a national priority to preserve the marine environment and ensure sustainability of natural resources for future generations. Egypt continues implementing monitoring and follow-up programs for coastal water quality across its shores to assess the environmental status of the water.
Egypt's Ministry of Environment announced on Saturday the continuation of monitoring and follow-up programs for coastal water quality along its shores, directed by Manal Awad. These programs aim to track changes from various activities along the Mediterranean Sea, Red Sea, Gulfs of Suez and Aqaba, and national lakes.
Awad stated that the protection of Egyptian coasts is a national priority aimed at preserving the marine environment and ensuring the sustainability of natural resources. She explained that these monitoring programs form a fundamental pillar for integrated coastal area management, seeking to balance development needs with environmental protection.
The periodic monitoring of coastal water quality is conducted in cooperation with the Institute of Graduate Studies and Research at Alexandria University and the National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries. These collaborative efforts, involving ministry specialists, have been ongoing since 1998 to maintain continuous follow-up on water conditions and build an accurate database on the quality of Egypt's coastal waters and lakes.
According to Awad, the programs involve periodic measurements and analyses of physical, chemical, and biological water quality indicators, such as salinity, dissolved oxygen levels, nutrients, and potential pollutants. This facilitates early detection of pollution sources and timely corrective measures.
The ministry added that the programs rely on the latest scientific methods and modern technologies for sample collection and data analysis, providing decision-makers with accurate and reliable information to support the protection of coastal ecosystems and the preservation of marine biodiversity.