Dear All,

I bring to you all today some great news. The Minister of Agriculture finally issued a decree yesterday canceling his previous decree which allowed some companies to fish and collect the reef colored fish and export it to Europe and to any demanding market.

The previous decision had a devastating effect on nature and on the coral reef condition in the whole area. HEPCA launched a huge campaign against this decision and lobbied with other agencies, enthusiastic individuals, and major media representatives.

HEPCA as a result of such a decision have requested from our lawyer to stop all the legal actions and the court case that we submitted against the Minister's old decision and decree.

I would like to thank all the people who helped in getting things back to order; Dr. Mahmoud Hanafy, Dr. Ayman Afifi, Dr. Mohamed Salem and very special thanks to Mr. Mahmoud Elkaisony.

I would also like to extend my gratitude to Mr. Zohair Grana Minister of Tourism, Gen. Bakr el Rashidy Governor of the Red Sea and last but not least Dr. Mostafa Fouda Head of the National Conservation Sector.

Such achievements give us hope that things can change to the better and gives us the energy and the will to continue our fight against the unprecedented attacks against the natural resource of the red sea. I conclude with what Margret Mead once Said "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, concerned citizens can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has".

Best regards.

Amr Ali

Managing Director

HEPCA Hurghada

Environmental Protection and Conservation association.