NCW Partners With UK Oceanography Center To Enhance Marine Biodiversity And Ecosystem Management

The National Center for Wildlife (NCW) and the UK's National Oceanography Center (NOC) have agreed to collaborate on marine biodiversity projects. This partnership aims to create a regulatory framework for monitoring and managing marine protected areas, as well as facilitating scientific exchanges to enhance biodiversity. The memorandum of understanding was signed in Riyadh, marking a significant step towards sustainable marine ecosystem management.

Under this agreement, both organisations will focus on various aspects of marine life, including monitoring sharks, whales, dolphins, turtles, dugongs, mangroves, and seagrass. They will also study benthic organisms and assess the impact of human activities on marine ecosystems. Advanced technologies will be employed to track these activities and mitigate their effects on marine and coastal wildlife.

The collaboration extends to implementing best practices for managing protected marine areas and habitats. Training workshops will be organised to focus on conserving marine and coastal wildlife. These efforts align with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, the National Environment Strategy, and the Saudi Green Initiative, reinforcing Saudi Arabia's leadership in environmental development.

Dr. Mohammed Qurban, CEO of NCW, emphasised that this partnership with NOC is crucial for advancing marine biodiversity projects and managing protected areas. He stated that it supports NCW's objectives of wildlife protection, ecosystem conservation, and restoring ecological balance. The agreement highlights the importance of international cooperation in enhancing wildlife conservation through global expertise.

Since its inception in 2019, NCW has been dedicated to preserving wildlife and biodiversity while protecting ecosystems through comprehensive programs aimed at environmental sustainability. These initiatives focus on improving environmental performance and promoting sustainable management practices to maximise conservation efforts' ecological and social impact.

NOC is a leading research institution in marine science based in Southampton and Liverpool. It is the largest organisation in the UK dedicated to sea-level science and developing coastal and deep-sea technologies. This collaboration with NCW represents a significant opportunity for both entities to leverage their expertise in achieving shared environmental goals.

The memorandum also underscores the significance of knowledge exchange at national, regional, and international levels. It aims to build an integrated collaboration framework that aligns with NCW's strategic vision for thriving wildlife ecosystems. This initiative reflects NCW's commitment to research and innovation by drawing on both national and international expertise.

With inputs from SPA