KAUST and NCW partner in Jeddah to safeguard Red Sea and Arabian Gulf ecosystems.
JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia — The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has launched a major scientific initiative to protect its marine ecosystems and the growing blue economy. King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) has partnered with the National Center for Wildlife (NCW) to address the threat of invasive marine species. This collaboration is crucial for the country’s ambitious Vision 2030, which projects the blue economy will contribute $5.86 billion and create 100,000 jobs.
The project focuses on monitoring invasive species and analysing their potential risks. Researchers are building a comprehensive knowledge database to enhance the sustainability of the Kingdom’s environmental and economic resources. The partnership will help develop scientific assessment tools and early warning systems to anticipate future challenges. This effort underscores Saudi Arabia’s commitment to environmental stewardship and economic diversification.
NCW CEO Dr. Mohammed Qurban underscored the project’s importance. “Protecting marine ecosystems is vital for growing sectors such as coastal tourism and aquaculture,” he stated. The research will enable the Kingdom to develop effective strategies to mitigate threats.
As part of the initiative, researchers conducted extensive surveys at 34 locations along the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf coasts. They collected over 10,000 marine samples and identified approximately 200 potentially invasive species. A specialized workshop was also held at KAUST to develop national expertise in advanced technologies like environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis for early detection.
Source: Saudi Press Agency (SPA)
