Riyadh: The National Center for Wildlife (NCW) has launched the first comprehensive assessment of the environment on the Kingdom's eastern coast, in collaboration with international experts, aiming to evaluate the health of ecosystems, their biodiversity, and the environmental pressures affecting the Saudi coasts of the Arabian Gulf.
According to Saudi Press Agency, the assessment, conducted throughout 2024 and 2025 at more than 400 sites, examined a wide range of critical marine and coastal environments, including coral reefs, seagrass meadows, mangrove forests, and mudflats. It employed internationally recognized field methodologies, such as underwater imaging and satellite remote sensing, to create a detailed scientific database.
Results showed that coral reefs had a healthy cover rate of 22%, with low levels of bleaching not exceeding 2%. The dominant species observed, such as Porites and Merulina, demonstrated resilience to harsh environmental conditions.
Seagrass meadows were found to be stable in most areas. Mangrove forests (Avicennia marina) covered an estimated 1,573 hectares and displayed healthy vegetation, particularly around the Ras Tanura and Tarout Island areas.
Over 80,000 fish from 90 species were observed. Field records also confirmed the presence of large marine animals, including dugongs, dolphins, turtles, sharks, and rays, highlighting the Arabian Gulf's importance as a major habitat.
A comprehensive study recorded 176,836 birds from 69 species. Peak numbers occurred during the fall migration season. Notably, a new species for Saudi Arabia, Franklin's gull, was observed. Tarout Bay and Dammam Corniche were identified as key breeding and aggregation sites.
NCW CEO Dr. Mohammed Qurban emphasized that this assessment reflects the Kingdom's commitment to advancing scientific research and its applications in protecting the marine environment, aligning with Saudi Vision 2030 and the goals of the Saudi Green Initiative. He explained that safeguarding marine environments enhances the future of biodiversity, climate stability, and food security. The results, he added, provide a crucial scientific reference to support national plans for biodiversity protection and achieving sustainable development.