Sustaining the Marine Environment Project Concluded its Phase 6

The Marine Environment Project is a long-term research program based on the marine environment of the Arabian Gulf. It is a multidisciplinary marine research collaboration between Saudi Aramco and the Center for Environment & Water, Research Institute - KFUPM.

The project began in the late eighties and consisted of several phases. For each phase of the project, which generally lasted for around 5-years, there were specific goals.

According to Dr. Lutfi Rabawi, the project manager, the project has now reached the end of phase VI, and preparations for phase VII have begun.

The project began in the late eighties and consisted of several phases. For each phase of the project, which generally lasted for around 5-years, there were specific goals.

According to Dr. Lutfi Rabawi, the project manager, the project has now reached the end of phase VI, and preparations for phase VII have begun.

This phase has four main objectives. The first is to study the distribution, productivity, and recovery time of seagrass and marine algae in the Gulf region of Saudi Arabia.

Dr. Rabawi said that data relating to the distribution of marine weeds and algae collected between 2002 and 2020 were analyzed, and maps were prepared to show the current distribution of these important systems on the Saudi coast.

Dr. Rabawi also mentioned that the current development of coastal areas was having an effect on the seagrass environment, and the animal groups associated with this environment. He also stated that these coastal systems represent the habitats and nursery areas of many species of fish and invertebrates (crustaceans and mollusks) that have a high economic and ecological value.

The second objective of the project is to study the occurrence and distribution of large marine animals such as marine mammals, turtles, and sharks in the Arabian Gulf.

Dr. Rabawi stressed that these groups had not been studied during the previous years. Therefore, he added, during this phase, they would focus their study on discovering the types, numbers, and distribution of these large animals, in addition to identifying the risks in the Kingdom’s Gulf region that threaten their life, especially the risks that fishing methods could pose to these animals.

The third objective of the project is to study the ecological importance of coral reefs and their responses - molecular and genomic - to environmental and anthropogenic stress to discover the genes that help them adapt to living in hot areas, specifically the Arabian Gulf.

Dr. Rabawi said: "The results of this study may support other research aimed at producing new coral strains resistant to climate change through mating between local and other species.”

The fourth objective was to study the phytoplankton and zooplankton distribution and dynamics in the Saudi Arabian waters of the Arabian Gulf.

The project manager explained that these plankton form the base of the marine food web as many other marine species such as fish, crustaceans, and even marine mammals feed on them.

During this project, seasonal changes for the types and numbers of marine phytoplankton and zooplankton, in the Kingdom's Gulf region, were studied.

Regarding the feasibility of the program, Dr. Lutfi pointed out that many of the studied species are endangered. Therefore, in order to protect them, researchers need to obtain sufficient scientific data on their life cycles, migrations, habitats, and the species that feed on them.

Dr. Lutfi said that developing the marine and resources management systems in the Gulf region requires continuous study and accurate knowledge of its biology and ecology.

He noted that the Kingdom had created policies to protect the marine environment. These policies have been altered in light of the great urban development’s underway on the coasts. As of now, before approval, any coastal project requires an environmental impact assessment study, which can only be done if there is sufficient information about the ecosystem in the area.

Dr. Lutfi emphasized that the Center for Environment & Water is a research body that gives recommendations based on scientific studies, and these recommendations help the competent authorities in developing plans and policies for managing the environment and marine resources.

It is important to continue financing the program, especially since there are many components of marine systems in the Gulf that have not yet been studied. Some of the previously studied components need more in-depth studies using new technologies. He added.

Results of the “Sustaining the Marine Environment” Project in the Arabian Gulf have been published in many international scientific journals.