National Center for Wildlife Collaborates with UK’s National Oceanography Center on Marine Biodiversity Projects

The National Center for Wildlife (NCW) has recently entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the UK’s National Oceanography Center (NOC) to establish a cooperative framework for marine biodiversity projects. This partnership aims to enhance knowledge and conservation efforts related to marine biodiversity through joint initiatives.

Collaborative Efforts

Under the MoU signed in Riyadh, both organizations will work together on various marine biodiversity projects focused on sustaining marine habitats. The collaboration will involve monitoring the health and populations of key marine species such as sharks, whales, dolphins, turtles, dugongs, as well as assessing the status of mangroves, seagrasses, and associated organisms. Additionally, the agreement includes evaluating the impact of human activities on marine habitats and utilizing advanced technologies for monitoring potentially harmful activities to marine and coastal wildlife.

A significant aspect of this collaboration is the implementation of best practices for managing marine protected areas and their habitats. This will be achieved through a series of training workshops aimed at enhancing the protection and conservation of marine and coastal wildlife and their ecosystems.

Impactful Cooperation

Dr. Mohammed Qurban, CEO of NCW, expressed the importance of this collaboration in achieving the organization’s conservation goals. He highlighted the significance of international cooperation and the sharing of expertise to enhance wildlife conservation efforts.

Professor Alex Rogers, Deputy Director of Strategic Science Programs and Partnerships at NOC, emphasized the rich biodiversity present in the seas around Saudi Arabia. He noted that the collaboration between NCW and NOC will provide valuable data on species distribution and ecosystem functioning, enabling the Saudi Arabian government to conserve critical biodiversity and support sustainable growth in the blue economy. The partnership will also offer opportunities for young scientists to receive training in modern approaches to biodiversity surveying and monitoring.

This partnership between NCW and NOC signifies a step forward in marine biodiversity conservation and sets the stage for impactful initiatives to protect wildlife, preserve habitats, and restore environmental balance.