Member Type Country

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is home to some of the world’s most unique and resilient coral reefs, located in the Red Sea, which is recognized for its extraordinary biodiversity. These reefs, vital to the marine ecosystem, are known for their remarkable tolerance to warming seas, making them a global treasure in the fight against climate change.

The General Organization for Conservation of Coral Reefs and Turtles in the Red Sea (SHAMS) is the government agency responsible for protecting these invaluable ecosystems. SHAMS’ strategy focuses on monitoring their health, building resilience to climate impacts, restoring coral reefs, and promoting sustainable marine tourism. Through these initiatives, SHAMS is committed to ensuring the long-term survival of Saudi Arabia’s coral reefs while positioning the Red Sea as a global model for marine conservation.

Related websites:

SHAMS

Surface of Coral Reefs: 6660 km2 that includes coral reefs in the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf, and it is the eighth largest community of coral reefs in the world.

MPA(s) with coral reefs:
– Farasan Island
– Umm al-Qamari

Farasan Islands is the largest marine protected area and located in the far south of the Red Sea, while Umm al-Qamari Island is located in the middle of the southern part of the Red Sea.

Farasan Islands protected area was registered as the first man and biosphere protected area in 2021, and biodiversity, especially coral reefs, represents a major part of the island’s biosphere.