Yanbu: The General Organization for Conservation of Coral Reefs and Turtles in the Red Sea (SHAMS) is actively working to protect marine turtles and their habitats. Their integrated approach includes rescue and care, habitat protection, scientific research, and capacity building.
According to Saudi Press Agency, a key achievement is the establishment of the first specialized marine turtle care center in the Middle East, in collaboration with King Abdullah University of Science and Technology. This center utilizes new therapeutic and diagnostic methods for marine turtle care, some of which are being applied globally for the first time.
SHAMS has also activated a 24-hour response network for stranded turtles, which handled 136 cases in 2026, adding to over 300 cases since 2024. The program has successfully treated and released 74 out of 94 turtles back into the wild and has provided care for 20 others from service facilities.
In their habitat protection efforts, SHAMS completed a national assessment of turtle nesting sites, surveying over 2,200 beaches and identifying 638 sites, with 23 key ones accounting for about 70% of nesting activity. They developed an environmental management plan aligned with the International Union for Conservation of Nature standards.
Significant achievements include discovering a major nesting site on the Four Sisters Islands, the largest for green and hawksbill turtles in Saudi waters. This led to seven field missions to survey these habitats.
SHAMS aims to bring the 23 key nesting sites under a unified monitoring program and is preparing to rehabilitate a major site in Yanbu, addressing issues like cement dust, heavy metals, and light pollution. They have also employed modern technologies, such as drones and satellite tracking, to expand knowledge of turtle behaviors and distribution.
To enhance environmental awareness and expertise, SHAMS has offered marine wildlife rescue courses and a turtle veterinary care program. They also developed the "Blue Schools" curriculum, focusing on marine turtles for primary and secondary students, approved by the Ministry of Education in 2026.
Additionally, SHAMS is working on a national code of conduct for interactions with marine turtles, which is set for release.