New Artificial Reefs "Grow" From Mideast Peace Deal

In a rare example of Middle East cooperation, Israelis and Jordanians have joined together to create a string of artificial coral reefs in the Red Sea. The international effort is meant to attract divers and snorkelers to artificial reefs to allow the area's damaged natural reefs to heal. A high diversity of corals thrive in the Gulf of Aqaba, which lies at the northern end of the Red Sea and is bordered by both Israel and Jordan as well as Egypt and Saudia Arabia farther south. (See a map of the gulf.) These reefs draw tourists from around the world to the neighboring resort cities of Elat, Israel, and Al 'Aqabah, Jordan. (See a fish's-eye view of the Red Sea.) The tourism dollars are a boon to the region's economy, but an onslaught of snorkelers and divers has taken a damaging toll. Many of the reefs are literally dying, experts say...