LATEST NEWS
12 October 2026
Coral Propagation and Restoration Project in Jeddah
The Coral Reefs and Turtles Organization is implementing a project to establish coral nurseries in Jeddah. The first phase began at La Mer Beach, in collaboration with 17sixty Diving Center and with support from the Saudi Water Sports and Diving Federation.
The program began in mid-2024. The nursery currently contains 380 coral colonies distributed across different depths and representing 13 genera. The most abundant is Pocillopora, with 245 colonies accounting for 64.5% of the total, followed by Acropora with 62 colonies and Porites with 35, alongside other genera.
The nurseries follow a scientific process that begins with rescuing threatened coral fragments or collecting them from nearby damaged areas. These fragments are then secured to nursery tables, suspended structures, and rope units, providing a suitable environment for growth away from sediment and pollutants.
Care and maintenance activities include removing algae, reattaching coral fragments, and controlling predators, including crown-of-thorns starfish and Drupella snails, alongside monthly monitoring and training visits. The colonies also undergo weekly checks to assess survival rates, health, diseases, and predators, while growth is measured every three months.
Each colony is assigned a unique identifier that enables its parent colony to be traced, its growth history to be documented, and its final outplanting location to be recorded.
The project also includes larval propagation using three-dimensional technology to provide safe surfaces that help wild coral larvae settle and grow.
Project results show that 298 colonies, representing 78.4% of the total, are in excellent health with fully living tissue. A total of 231 colonies measure more than 10 centimeters.
The project supports the growth of rescued coral colonies, increases the coral stock available for restoration, and expands nursery capacity and productivity. It also supports the development of standard procedures for caring for corals and nursery structures, collecting data, and tracking colonies.
The project’s impact extends to capacity building and community participation through training local divers to care for and monitor the nurseries and involving the diving community in field restoration activities. This strengthens their participation in scientific and field efforts to conserve coral reefs and marine ecosystems in the Red Sea.
The next phase of the project spans 12 months and is divided into seven stages. It includes expanding the nursery, strengthening care and monitoring activities, outplanting healthy coral colonies in their natural habitats, and completing the necessary environmental assessments to support coral reef restoration and the sustainability of marine ecosystems in the Red Sea.
The project provides an integrated platform for coral propagation, care, and restoration, combining scientific methods with community participation. Damaged coral colonies are rescued, cared for, and grown in nurseries in preparation for outplanting in their natural habitats.
06 November 2023
The General Organization for Conservation of Coral Reefs and Turtles in the Red Sea Signs MOU with the King Khalid University an MOU for cooperation in education, training, and environmental initiatives.
1. Training Programs: Development of long and short-term training programs tailored to essential areas of mutual interest.
2. Support for Graduate Projects: Assistance in implementing graduate students' projects and facilitating their entry into the job market.
3. Research Support for PhD and MA Students: Collaboration on research initiatives for postgraduate students within the organization.
4. Training Opportunities for bachelor’s Students: Offering training opportunities at the organization for undergraduate students.
5. Environmental Solutions and Suggestions: Provision of solutions and recommendations for coral reef and turtle preservation, especially in the southern Red Sea region.
6. Sustainable Resource Use: Promoting sustainable use of coral and turtle resources in coastal environmental tourism.
7. Environmental AI Technology Development: Collaboration on developing AI technologies for environmental conservation.
8. Specialized Studies and Consultations: Conducting specialized studies and providing consultations on environmental investment and economic analysis.
9. Awareness Events: Organizing events to promote positive awareness of environmental preservation.
10. Student Volunteering: Encouraging student involvement in volunteering for events and activities related to conservation.
11. Conferences, Seminars, and Workshops: Hosting conferences, seminars, and specialized workshops on environmental topics.
12 October 2026
Coral Reefs and Turtles Organization Returns Green Turtle to the Red Sea After 191 Days of Care and Rehabilitation
The General Organization for the Conservation of Coral Reefs and Turtles in the Red Sea returned an adult female green turtle to its natural habitat off the coast of Thuwal after 191 days of care and rehabilitation. Veterinary examinations confirmed that the turtle had fully recovered and was ready to return to the sea.
During the rehabilitation period, the turtle underwent a comprehensive treatment program to restore its health and ability to survive in its natural habitat. The program included intravenous therapy, stem cell therapy, an assessment of its gut microbiome, and continuous veterinary monitoring.
The turtle’s return to the sea reflects the Organization’s efforts to conserve marine turtles and their habitats. It also demonstrates its commitment to developing scientifically informed rescue, veterinary care, and rehabilitation programs that help injured animals regain their ability to return to their natural habitats.
Monitoring, care, and rehabilitation programs contribute to advancing scientific knowledge of marine turtles and their health. These programs also generate data that inform conservation efforts for marine turtles and their habitats and strengthen the Organization’s capacity to manage future cases in accordance with scientific and veterinary best practices.
The Organization is developing a national system to monitor marine turtles and respond to cases requiring intervention in the Red Sea. The system will encompass rescue, treatment, rehabilitation, and scientific follow-up, strengthening response times and the quality of care while supporting an integrated approach to managing injured marine turtles along Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast.
09 September 2024
Saudi Arabia Claims Presidency of the ICRI for Three Years
Saudi Arabia has been elected to chair the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) for its 14th term, starting in 2025. The election took place during ICRI's 38th general meeting held from September 9th to 12th, 2024, in Jeddah.
“Saudi Arabia's selection for the presidency underscores the member countries' recognition of its high technical capabilities and efforts in coral reef conservation. This appointment reflects the global confidence in Saudi Arabia's ability to host significant international events", said Dr. Khalid Asfahani, CEO of the General Organization for Conservation of Coral Reefs & Turtles in the Red Sea (SHAMS).
Dr. Asfahani further emphasized that leading ICRI enhances Saudi Arabia's commitment to marine environmental protection, biodiversity, and ecosystem preservation. It also showcases the kingdom's pioneering efforts in coral reef conservation on local, regional, and international levels.
Dr. Asfahani noted that Saudi Arabia will collaborate with all stakeholders to deliver an exceptional term, advancing coral reef conservation both locally and globally. The presidency will also bolster the country's status as a leading global destination in coral reef and associated ecosystem conservation.
He also mentioned that Saudi Arabia has presented a three-year roadmap for the initiative. “During its presidency, Saudi Arabia plans to strengthen and activate international cooperation and accelerate efforts to preserve these vital ecosystems", Dr. Asfahani said, adding that Saudi Arabia has acknowledged and appreciated the contributions made by the United States Government, which chaired the 13th term of the initiative.
The International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) comprises 45 member countries and covers 75% of the world's coral reefs. Saudi Arabia joined ICRI in 2022.
14 December 2023
The General Organization for Conservation of Coral Reefs and Turtles in the Red Sea Signs MOU with Tabuk University
The General Organization for Conservation of Coral Reefs and Turtles in the Red Sea and Tabuk University signed a Memorandum of Understanding to cooperate in the field of studies, development research, training, and exchange of experiences and expertise between them.
31 December 2023
The General Organization for Conservation of Coral Reefs and Turtles in the Red Sea and Jazan University signed a Memorandum to boost cooperation in research, training, and knowledge exchange. The collaboration aims to enhance expertise and experience in coral reef and turtle conservation in the Red Sea.
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The General Organization for Conservation of Coral Reefs and Turtles in the Red Sea and Jazan University signed a Memorandum to boost cooperation in research, training, and knowledge exchange. The collaboration aims to enhance expertise and experience in coral reef and turtle conservation in the Red Sea.