Spinner dolphins in Marsa Alam lagoons to give birth

CAIRO - 9 September 2017: Spinner dolphins resort to shallow waters in Marsa Alam at this time of the year to give birth, according to a statement on Friday by the Environment Ministry regarding dolphins detected north of Marsa Alam.

Eleven spinner dolphins left the shallow waters north of Marsa Alam Friday, while one big dolphin and two calves stayed behind, the authority of the Red Sea Nature Reserves said. The authority added that the three dolphins that stayed behind are in good health and are being monitored daily.

On August 25, the authority detected 12 spinner dolphins and two newborn calves in Marsa Seifein north of Marsa Alam. There had been a concern that the dolphins may be unable to ventur out into open waters.

The dolphins freely leave to open waters and return to Marsa Seifein and need no assistance in swimming into deeper waters during the ebb tide, said Ahmed Ghallab, general director of the authority.



Dolphins protect their young by spending the morning in lagoons and shallow waters to avoid their natural predators. At night, they swim into deeper waters in search for food, the statement said.

Spinner dolphins are known to inhabit Marsa Alam, especially the Samadai area, which became a nature reserve in 2004.

Dolphins, dugongs, sea turtles, colorful coral reefs and beautiful, rare fish are major snorkeling and diving attractions in Marsa Alam, especially that the water there is crystal clear.

Some of the most popular diving spots in Marsa Alam include Samadai (Dolphin House Reef), Elphinstone Reef, Abu Dabab, Wreck of the Hamada and Sataya.