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 hinging coral reef and the pleasant dry weather make Hurghada an a ttractive tourist site. Over 40 recreational projects have been constr ucted, and there is a need for more such projects in spite of the fact that they threaten the coastal zone of Hurghada. Subsequent environme ntal hazards have been created that impacted the coastline and the mar ine ecosystem. The living corals and the marine ecology in the reef sy stem have suffered dramatic degradation. The depositional-hydrodynamic pattern has been affected as a result of blocking littoral currents b y protruded constructions. Subsequently, some coastal segments have be en subjected to local downdrift erosion.