Environmental education and awareness raising are a vital part of nature conservation. They help develop public understanding for the importance and sensitivity of natural ecosystems.

The Dahab Marine Research Center (DMRC) offers courses in marine biology and environmental conservation to the public and hosts field courses from European universities and Egyptian academic institutions.

Environmental Activities

The DMRC directly assists local environmental conservation through co-operative activities with Volunteer Rangers (Nabq Protected Area) and the National Parks (Ras Mohammed National Park) of Egypt.

Volunteer activities, such as garbage clean-ups and Crown-of-Thorns collections, provide a forum for residents and guests in Dahab to help protect the natural environment. Other operations include coral reef monitoring and supporting local environmental initiatives.

Scientific Research

High-quality research on the ecology of coral reefs and other local ecosystems is a prerequisite to ensuring their conservation.

The DMRC's research program brings together professional scientists and research students from Egypt and Europe to protect biodiversity through biological inventory work and to provide answers to questions relevant for local conservation and environmental protection.

• Recent research projects include studies on the reef condition and potential for the establishment of a snorkeling trail as management plan for the Napoleon Reef, community ecology and biodiversity of the Islands dive sites, coral/sponge interactions and related natural products and habitat preferences of Gobiids.
   
• Former projects on the population ecology of Crown-of-Thorns starfish and sea cucumbers, the flora of Wadi Qnai, the effects of local fisheries on fish stocks, and the growth of artificial reefs have partially been published and added to our understanding of the local ecosystems.