The Red Sea, known for hosting some of the most resilient and unique coral reef systems in the world, is now showing signs of stress.
These ecosystems are not only critical for marine biodiversity, but also support Egypt’s fishing industry, tourism economy, and coastal protection. With Egypt’s coral reefs increasingly impacted by climate-driven bleaching events, safeguarding these ecosystems has become a national priority both for the livelihoods they sustain and the ecological balance they maintain.
According to the US National Ocean Service (NOAA), coral bleaching happens when water temperatures become too warm, causing corals to expel the algae (zooxanthellae) living in their tissues. This loss causes the coral to turn completely white and weakens its ability to survive.
A 2024 report by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) confirmed that the world is undergoing its most widespread coral bleaching event to date, with approximately 84 per cent of reef systems globally affected. This alarming event marks the fourth mass bleaching in just 25 years, signalling an escalating global threat to coral reef ecosystems.
In a major show of international support for coral reef conservation, over $25 million in new funding was pledged just days ago at the United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice, France, which was held from 9 to 13 June. The commitments, led by governments including the United Kingdom, New Zealand, France, Germany, and Norway, aim to bolster the Global Fund for Coral Reefs (GFCR) at a time scientists warn is a “make-or-break” moment for reef survival.
The funding push comes amid marine heatwaves and prolonged thermal stress that have left reef ecosystems severely compromised, prompting urgent calls for scalable action and finance.
Coral reefs, while covering less than one per cent of the ocean floor, play an outsized role in maintaining the health and productivity of the planet’s oceans. According to UNEP, these ecosystems support at least a quarter of all marine species and are found in more than 100 countries and territories.
Globally, coral reefs contribute to food security, shoreline protection, and climate regulation, while underpinning industries such as tourism, fisheries, and marine biotechnology. Their estimated global economic value exceeds $2.7 trillion annually, making them not only ecological treasures but also critical assets for sustainable development. Yet, their survival depends on international cooperation, ambitious climate action, and long-term investment in conservation.
The Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network’s report “Status of Coral Reefs of the World 2020”, supported by UNEP, reveals a troubling decline in global coral cover over the past four decades. Between 2009 and 2018 alone, the world lost approximately 14 per cent of its coral reefs, equivalent to more than the total coral cover found in all of Australia’s reefs, mainly due to repeated bleaching events caused by rising ocean temperatures and climate change, compounded by local human pressures.
Yet, the report also highlights a note of hope: coral reefs have demonstrated the capacity to recover, especially when safeguarded from other human-induced stressors.
EGYPT’S CASE: In a scientific report released by the Hurghada Environmental Protection and Conservation Association (HEPCA) in September 2024, marine expert Mahmoud Hanafi and his team presented alarming findings about coral bleaching along the Egyptian Red Sea coast.
For the first time, bleaching extended beyond the southern regions (south of Marsa Alam) to the northern sectors, including Hurghada and the Gulf of Aqaba, with an overall average bleaching rate of 28 per cent. In southern areas, up to 56 per cent of coral coverage was affected, while northern zones recorded between 9.7 and 18.4 per cent.
Notably, some coral species experienced bleaching for the first time, attributed largely to abnormal sea-level drops during July and record-high ocean temperatures globally, as confirmed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in the US.
Despite these unprecedented impacts, the report highlights the exceptional resilience of Egyptian coral reefs. Recovery rates of bleached colonies ranged from 70 to 85 per cent, the highest ever recorded globally. Scientists attribute this to the unique oceanographic and climatic conditions of the northern Red Sea, including cold-water upwelling due to strong currents and wind patterns.
However, the report calls for urgent conservation measures, such as expanding marine protected areas, halting destructive fishing practices, and redirecting eco-tourism towards sustainable development to protect what may be one of the last global “hope spots” for coral survival.
In September 2024, Egypt’s Minister of Environment Yasmine Fouad signed the project document for the Egyptian Red Sea initiative, a six-year programme aimed at protecting the country’s coral reef ecosystems. The initiative, launched in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Global Fund for Coral Reefs (GFCR), and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), is backed by $14 million in funding.
The project seeks to safeguard approximately 99,899 hectares of coral reefs in the Red Sea and includes the creation of the Egyptian Coral Reef Fund, which will provide grants to NGOs working in reef conservation and support a long-term fundraising strategy to ensure the fund’s sustainability.
In remarks to Al-Ahram Weekly, Maxime Philip, programme analyst at the GFCR, explained that the accelerating phenomenon of coral bleaching is primarily driven by the rise in global sea surface temperatures, a direct result of increasing greenhouse gas emissions.
Under thermal stress, corals expel their symbiotic algae, known as zooxanthellae, which are essential for their colour and energy production. This leads to bleaching, and if high temperatures persist, it can result in coral death. However, if the heat stress is short-lived, there is a chance for coral recovery. “We are still assessing the full impact of the most recent global bleaching event,” he noted.
Philip emphasised that a reef’s ability to recover depends on two key factors: the health of the surrounding habitat and the genetic makeup of the coral species themselves. This is why the GFCR’s work is focused not only on climate resilience, but also on addressing local stressors that can compromise reef health.
“We aim to improve the condition of coral reef habitats through blended finance mechanisms that support sustainable local practices,” he said. Among the most critical local threats the GFCR seeks to mitigate are coastal pollution, such as sewage, solid waste, and microplastics, along with unsustainable tourism practices like anchor damage and reef trampling, overfishing and destructive fishing methods, and poorly planned coastal infrastructure.
He warned that even coral species with high thermal tolerance, such as those in Egypt and Jordan, remain at serious risk if these stressors are not managed.
Speaking about Egypt’s unique coral reef ecosystems in the Red Sea, Philip acknowledged their global recognition for resilience to thermal stress. Nonetheless, he cautioned that these reefs are under mounting pressure from localised threats, including degradation linked to mass tourism, marine and land-based pollution, overfishing, and weak waste and sewage management systems.
“To assess the Red Sea’s vulnerability and resilience to climate change, we rely on global studies like 50 Reefs and UNEP’s Coral Bleaching Futures, but we also work with our implementing partners to carry out more targeted studies and stakeholder consultations involving local universities and NGOs,” he explained.
Although Egypt’s reefs are known for their relative resilience, they have experienced bleaching events in recent years, and monitoring their recovery from the latest episode is now a critical priority.
Philip also stressed the profound socioeconomic impacts of coral bleaching, especially on developing coastal nations like Egypt. “Bleaching undermines food security, income generation, and coastal protection,” he said. He pointed out that in Egypt, coral reef degradation threatens over $12 billion in annual Red Sea tourism revenues. In parallel, reef fisheries, vital sources of protein and income for coastal communities, suffer when bleaching reduces biodiversity and fish habitats.
“This exacerbates poverty and vulnerability, particularly for women, youth, and small-scale fishers,” he said, adding that in Jordan alone, nearly 100 artisanal fishers depend directly on reef-associated fish species.
When asked about solutions, Philip was candid in his assessment. While he acknowledged the value of local innovations such as coral aquaculture, waste upcycling, and reef-positive enterprises, he insisted that these measures are not sufficient on their own.
“Transformative global action is needed,” he asserted, calling for urgent reductions in carbon emissions through the implementation of the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the 2015 Paris Agreement on Climate Change. He also called for scalable financing mechanisms for reef conservation, one of GFCR’s core missions, as well as the integration of ocean protection into national development plans and regulatory reforms to enforce sustainable marine resource use.
“Without systemic policy shifts at the global level, local efforts may only delay the decline of coral reefs rather than reverse it,” he warned.
Finally, Philip highlighted the fund’s active involvement in Egypt through the Coral Reef Insurance and Resilience Fund, a six-year programme implemented in partnership with UNDP and USAID. The initiative is designed to protect Egypt’s coral reef ecosystems using blended finance tools and targeted grants that empower local NGOs to carry out conservation work on the ground.
It also includes a long-term fundraising component to ensure the sustainability of conservation outcomes.
BACKBONE OF THE BLUE ECONOMY: In remarks to the Weekly, Katherine Jadot, CEO of Elemental Solutions, began by underlining the central role coral reefs play in sustaining life and economies.
“Coral reefs are the bedrock of marine biodiversity and a lifeline for many coastal economies,” she said. Supporting around a quarter of all marine species, these ecosystems not only host immense biodiversity, but also serve as nurseries for commercially important fish species, contribute to nutrient cycling, and stabilise coastlines, functions that are becoming ever more vital as sea levels rise.
Jadot highlighted the particular importance of coral reefs in regions like the Red Sea, where artisanal fishing and coastal tourism depend heavily on their health. “They generate billions annually by sustaining fisheries, tourism, and coastal protection,” she noted. However, these benefits are now under serious threat due to repeated bleaching events, which, she warned, “weaken reef structures, cause biodiversity loss, and disrupt food chains and local economies.”
Even in the Red Sea, where some coral species have shown notable heat tolerance, “the long-term risks to fish stocks, tourism revenues, and coastal resilience remain significant.”
On the issue of coral restoration, Jadot acknowledged the value of interventions like coral farming and artificial reefs but cautioned against relying solely on them. “Restoration can help rehabilitate damaged ecosystems, but it’s not a silver bullet,” she said, noting that such efforts require significant maintenance and financial investment. Addressing root causes like warming oceans, pollution, and overfishing remains essential.
She then connected these ecological concerns to the broader blue economy, which she described as “the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and the health of marine ecosystems.” The blue economy spans traditional sectors like fisheries and tourism and also includes emerging industries such as marine renewable energy, ocean-based climate solutions, and biotechnology.
Finally, Jadot emphasised the importance of international finance mechanisms in advancing coral reef conservation, especially in developing countries like Egypt. “Tools such as blue bonds, debt-for-nature swaps, and blended finance models can mobilise resources, especially when tied to measurable outcomes,” she said.
“Blue economy strategies are essential in prioritising marine sectors and channeling funding where it’s most impactful. For countries like Egypt, aligning national development plans with international financing frameworks can unlock scalable, long-term solutions and help build true resilience.”
Stacey Jupiter, executive director of the Global Marine Programme at the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), emphasised that despite growing threats, there is hope for coral reefs if resources are directed wisely.
“We at WCS have done a lot of new science showing that there is promise for coral reefs,” she said in remarks to the Weekly. “There are places around the world where reefs are likely to be more resilient to global climate impacts, and we’re using this science to guide where critical resources should be invested.”
She stressed that these areas are not only vital for biodiversity but also for people. “Coral reefs provide very important ecosystem services that underpin the blue economy of nations around the world,” she said, underlining their economic and ecological value.
On the situation in Egypt, Jupiter noted that coral reefs in the Red Sea have historically shown high resilience to climate impacts. “However, more recently, the world experienced our fourth global bleaching event, and the reefs were impacted,” she acknowledged.
She called for urgent action to identify reef areas in Egypt that are likely to bounce back quickly and to address local threats such as overfishing, water pollution, and destructive fishing practices.
“Those can all be managed with resources that we can put on the ground,” she said.
Jupiter also addressed the global 30x30 target to protect 30 per cent of land and sea by 2030, agreed under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. “We are now in 2025, and only eight per cent of the ocean is protected and by some estimates less than three per cent is effectively protected,” she said.
To accelerate progress, WCS has helped mobilise $40 million from a variety of donors to support efforts at both national and regional levels. These funds are directed toward establishing new marine protections and strengthening existing management systems by 2030. “This takes finance,” she said, “and we are working with intergovernmental partnerships to make this happen.”
As pressures mount on coral reefs worldwide, Egypt’s Red Sea stands as both a warning and a window of opportunity, one that demands sustained attention, informed policy, and global cooperation.
This story was produced as part of the 2025 UNOC Fellowship organised by the Internews Earth Journalism Network.
* A version of this article appears in print in the 26 June, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly
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