Saudi Arabia Launches Initiative To Protect Marine Ecosystems From Invasive Species Threats

Saudi Arabia is actively working to safeguard its marine ecosystems and boost its blue economy, which is expected to generate SAR22 billion and create 100,000 jobs by 2030. A significant challenge to this vision is the threat posed by invasive marine species introduced through shipping and aquaculture, potentially causing economic losses worth billions annually.

King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) has joined forces with the National Center for Wildlife (NCW) to tackle this issue. Their collaboration focuses on monitoring these species and assessing their risks, aiming to build a comprehensive knowledge database. This initiative seeks to enhance the sustainability of Saudi Arabia's environmental and economic resources.

Dr. Mohammed Qurban, CEO of NCW, emphasised the importance of protecting marine ecosystems for sectors like coastal tourism and aquaculture. He stated that the research partnership with KAUST will aid in developing scientific assessment tools, risk models, and early warning systems to anticipate environmental challenges effectively.

The collaboration involved surveys conducted at 34 sites along the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf coasts. Researchers collected over 10,000 marine samples during these surveys. They identified around 200 potentially invasive species, including over 70 non-native species already present in Saudi waters.

In May, several NCW employees attended a specialised workshop at KAUST aimed at developing national expertise. The workshop covered risk assessment protocols and provided training in advanced technologies such as environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis for early detection of invasive species.

This partnership between KAUST and NCW exemplifies how research institutions can collaborate with national agencies to protect biodiversity while supporting the growth of the blue economy. The initiative serves as a model for similar collaborations worldwide.

The Kingdom's commitment to addressing invasive marine species reflects its broader strategy to ensure sustainable development across various sectors. By investing in scientific research and technological advancements, Saudi Arabia aims to mitigate potential threats to its marine environments while fostering economic growth.

With inputs from SPA