The National Program for the Development of the Fisheries Sector in Saudi Arabia has launched a regional center for sustainable development of fisheries, official sources have said.
The center was announced by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during the Middle East Green Summit held in Riyadh recently.
The program itself is an affiliate of the Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture, and was announced during a workshop organized by the ministry.
It is said to be designed to focus on research in the fisheries sector and aquaculture related to the health of animals and aquatic organisms and the management of fisheries.
It is also expected to look into the protection of the marine resources of the kingdom’s seas.
The program’s CEO Ali Al-Shaikhi was quoted by the official sources as explained that the goals set by the Saudi Vision 2030 include providing seafood with a high nutritional value, reducing dependence on imported food products, allocating job opportunities, and supporting a sustainable future by preserving our natural resources for future generations.
He added that these call for extensive and continuous research in the fields of aquaculture, fisheries management, marine environment, and biodiversity, in addition to understanding the impact of climate change on these resources.