Saudi Arabia, UK Collaborate on Marine Biodiversity Projects
Saudi Arabia's National Center for Wildlife (NCW) has signed a memorandum of understanding with the UK's National Oceanography Center (NOC) in Riyadh to cooperate on marine biodiversity projects, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
The pact seeks to enhance cooperation on maintaining the sustainability of marine environments and monitoring the health of sharks, whales, dolphins, turtles, dugongs, mangroves, seagrass, and other species.
According to the MoU, both entities will conduct several studies to identify the impacts of human activities on marine ecosystems through advanced technologies designed to precisely track these activities and mitigate their potential harm.
Furthermore, both centers will organize training workshops tackling how to protect marine and coastal wildlife and their habitats.
The NCW's CEO Mohammed Qurban said the agreement would help converse wildlife, protect ecosystems, as well as restore ecological balance.
'Global collaboration is essential to achieve NOC's vision of gaining a deeper knowledge of the ocean to help every living thing on our planet flourish,' the NOC's Deputy Director Alex Rogers said.
From rich tropical coral reefs and seagrass beds to deep-sea ecosystems, the seas around the Kingdom boast a wealth of biodiversity.
'The collaboration between NCW and NOC will generate critical data on the distribution of species and their ecosystem functioning,' Rogers added.
The partnership stands as a testament to the Kingdom's commitment to boosting environmental development through the Saudi Vision 2030, the National Environment Strategy, and the Saudi Green Initiative.
Related Topics:
KAUST Secures Japan Prize for its Advanced Marine Ecosystem Research
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