Sport Fishing on the Red Sea: El Qoweih, Gamsha, Hamata and Safaga, and the Rules Before You Sail

Four stretches of the Red Sea coast — El Qoweih, Gamsha, Hamata and Safaga — have become the main destinations for recreational fishing trips, drawing anglers from across Egypt, Al-Masry Al-Youm reported on 18 October.

How a trip is put together

A group of anglers agrees with a boat owner to charter a launch, settling the length of the trip, its route and the equipment needed, and sails with an experienced skipper who knows the fishing grounds. Most trips run one or two nights, sometimes longer.

The skipper's job goes beyond steering the boat: knowing the depths and the state of the water, watching the weather and the currents, choosing where to stop and fish, and getting everyone back at the agreed time. Anglers choose a trip on the sailing time, the state of the sea, the species they are after, the boat's equipment, the size of the group and the crew's knowledge of the area.

Preparation, according to anglers quoted by the paper, covers bait for the species being targeted, rods, lines, weights and tackle matched to the depths, and enough drinking water and food for every night at sea, stored safely and kept cool, plus everyday supplies, emergency items and marine safety equipment.

The rules before you sail

The report sets out what organising a trip requires:

• Check the boat is fit to sail and that its rescue and communication equipment works.
• Carry first aid supplies.
• Follow the weather bulletins before sailing and during the trip.
• Fix the route and the duration, and give the required details to the competent authorities under the rules governing the activity.

On conservation, it says trips should keep to the fishing regulations, respect closed seasons and protected areas, avoid banned fishing methods and dispose of waste safely, so that coral and marine life are not harmed.

Why it matters beyond the catch

The paper notes that the activity supports a chain of businesses around the sea: chartering launches, maintenance and fitting-out, tackle supply and catering for trips, and work for people with sea experience. Developing it, the report argues, could widen the Red Sea's tourism offer beyond beach holidays, diving and conventional boat trips — provided the carrying capacity of the sea areas and the environmental conditions attached to the activity are respected.

This is a feature built on anglers' own accounts rather than an official notice. Anyone planning a trip should confirm the current licensing and notification requirements, and the boat's safety certification, with the competent authorities before booking.