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Exploring Saudi Arabia's marine wonderland

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http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/d...saudi-arabia-to-develop-island-beach-resorts/

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Sebastian Farmborough, An Emerging Mystery

https://www.thesolutionsjournal.com...of-saudi-arabia-through-a-photographers-lens/







http://blog.radissonblu.com/9-attractions-you-need-to-see-when-in-jizan/

A beach in Jeddah:



Ras Tanura beach in the Eastern Province:

Ras Tanura Beach by Andrew A. Shenouda, on Flickr

Beaches of Saudi Arabia - Ras Tanura by Justin Scott, on Flickr

Neighborhoods nearby:



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Al Wadj Bank, Saudi Arabia (NASA, International Space Station Science, 12/30/07) by NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, on Flickr


فرسان
by Jazan Know, on Flickr

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Tabuk area منطقة تبوك by tabuk تبوك, on Flickr

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Isolated bay in northern Hijaz:

جبل طيب اسم copy by عبدالله العيدي, on Flickr

كشته بحريه by عبدالله العيدي, on Flickr

شاطئ الخريبه by عبدالله العيدي, on Flickr

١على الكورنيش by عبدالله العيدي, on Flickr

المويلح by عبدالله العيدي, on Flickr

قارب by عبدالله العيدي, on Flickr

سياحه by عبدالله العيدي, on Flickr

... by Fahad Almazyad, on Flickr

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No beaches or marine life in the region (MENA) can be compared to that of KSA and Arabia. Few in the world can.

Beautiful Indeed!:tup:

You are welcome brother.
 
Beautiful Indeed! Its Saudi Arabia in colours.The one thing media never shows to the world.western media in specific.only showing war,fire and blood.Long Live The Holy Land worth living.:tup:
 
Do you know there are over 1000 islands in Saudi Arabia?
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Saudi Arabia has 1285 islands in the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf. (supplied)

Mohammed al-Harbi, Al Arabiya.net
Tuesday, 2 May 2017

When we think of Saudi Arabia, what comes to mind is vast oceans of sand dunes and enchanting deserts. However, did you know that the Kingdom also has 1285 islands in the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf?

The Red Sea and the Gulf of Aqaba alone host 1150 islands making 89 percent of their total number, while the remaining 135 islands in the Arabian Gulf constitute 11 percent of them.


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The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has 1285 islands in the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulfs. (Supplied)

These islands are considered major tourist attractions because of the diverse nature of their geology. Whether they are coral, sandy or volcanic, the islands have shores that vary between soft sands and high rocky mountains.

The largest Saudi islands
Farasan Island is the largest island of the archipelago, which has more than 200 islands one of which is dedicated to diving explorations. Farasan is spread across 380 square kilometers and is the biggest.

The island of Sajid comes second in terms of size with an area of 150 square kilometer while Abu Ali Island in the Arabian Gulf has an area of 59 square kilometers followed by the island of Batinah, 33 square kilometers. Tarot Island stretches 20 square kilometers.


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The island of Farsan has an ecologically diverse marine life that can only be found on a few islands in the world. (Supplied)

The island of Farasan has an ecologically diverse marine life that can only be found on a few islands across the world. There are multiple kinds of birds, coral reefs and rare marine life.

Raw amber is abundant and is a main source of income for many inhabitants of the island. Farsan is also rich with coastal mangrove trees. In addition, the water in this part of the island also contains unusual coral reefs, flowering plants and seagrass.

Turtles and seabirds are found on the island's beaches in large groups at specific times of the year. Other islands include Amna, Kadmil, Kamah Island, Damask, Zafaf, Dushk, Safeed and Kira. Among the islands of the Red Sea are “Sanafir and Tiran”, which are located near the Gulf of Aqaba.

The Arabian Gulf islands
The Arabian Gulf is home to 150 islands including Abu Ali in north of Jubail, the largest of the Arabian islands in the Gulf. The Arabian Gulf also harbors well-known Saudi Arabian islands, including Batinah, Qarmah, Jannah, Musallamah, Al-Jarid, Daghina, Karan and Harkos.


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Turtles and seabirds are nestled as well on the island's beaches in large groups at specific times of the year. (Supplied)

“Harkos” is one of the most important Saudi islands as a natural habitat for many kinds of birds and turtles dwelling in the Arabian Gulf. Alarabiya is the Kingdom’s farthest island within the Arabian Gulf. It is located 50 nautical miles away from the Saudi coasts.

The most significant three Saudi islands in the south of the Arabian Gulf can be found near the entrance of Khor al-Adid north of Ras Abu Qamis, and they are Hawisat, Huthba and Sayad.




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The Arabian Gulf is home to 150 islands including Abu Ali in north of Jubail. (Supplied)

https://english.alarabiya.net/en/li.../2017/05/02/Saudi-Arabia-s-1000-islands-.html









Saudi Arabian soldiers patrolling the beach of Al-Khafji during the First Gulf War. Almost 30 years ago.



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Nice article about surfing in KSA:

http://www.blueabaya.com/2017/05/surfing-in-saudi-arabia.html

@Arabi please take this thread out brother and contribute if you can.
 
Saudi crown prince launches mega Red Sea tourism project
Arab News | Published — Tuesday 1 August 2017
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Red Sea Tourisms Project. (SPA)
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Red Sea Tourisms Project. (SPA)
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Red Sea Tourisms Project. (SPA)
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Red Sea Tourisms Project. (SPA)

JEDDAH: Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, chairman of the Public Investment Fund (PIF), on Tuesday announced the launch of an international tourism project in the Kingdom called The Red Sea.
Envisioned as a resort built across a lagoon of 50 untouched islands, The Red Sea will be situated in one of the world’s last natural hidden treasures, between the cities of Umlaj and Al-Wajh. It will be developed in partnership with the world’s leading hospitality firms.
Situated just a few kilometers from one of the most diverse Saudi nature reserves and captivating dormant volcanoes in Harrat Al-Rahat, the resort promises to be a blissful coastal island retreat set against a backdrop of the ancient ruins at Mada’in Saleh, renowned for its beauty and historical significance.
Visitors will be able to explore hidden treasures, including a nature reserve that boasts a stunning diversity of flora and fauna at the foothills of the dormant volcano nearby.
An array of marine-oriented resort developments will allow for unparalleled scuba diving among stunning coral reefs. The project will form an archipelago that is home to environmentally protected coral reefs, mangroves and several endangered marine species, including the hawksbill sea turtle.
It will also boast dormant volcanoes, the most recently active of which has a recorded history of activity dating back to the 17th century AD.
The project’s nature reserve is inhabited by rare wildlife including leopards, wolves, wildcats and falcons. Also on offer will be parachuting, trekking and rock climbing.
With tourism representing the second most important sector in the Kingdom, The Red Sea will spearhead the diversification of the Saudi leisure industry.

In line with Vision 2030, it will diversify Saudi tourism offerings to create a year-round hospitality sector while promoting cultural conservation and economic stimulation.
The Red Sea will serve as a wellness center while setting new standards for sustainable development and environmental protection, which will be central to the project’s development.
To ensure the highest standard of environmental conservation, the number of visitors annually will be capped and heritage sites will be restored.
Laws on par with international standards will govern the newly mapped semi-autonomous area, with initial groundbreaking expected in the third quarter of 2019.
Completion of the project’s first phase is anticipated by the last quarter of 2022, which will include development of hotels, luxury residential units and all logistical infrastructure such as air, land and sea transport hubs.
The project will be developed with seed capital from the PIF, while partnerships with top-tier international companies will be formed.
This will attract the world’s leading names in hotel and tourism operations while contributing to Saudi economic growth. The project aims to generate SR15 billion ($4 billion) annually to the Saudi economy and create 35,000 jobs.

http://www.arabnews.com/node/1137781/saudi-arabia#photo/0






We will welcome all visitors with open arms to Hijaz. Very pleased about the worldwide publicity.

Not trying to act more smug than necessary but I don't think that many countries are able to offer what KSA can offer to tourists (politics and a few temporary moronic laws aside), in particular in terms of marine life, beach and sea tourism.

Let alone fantastic weather all year round expect for June, July, August and September where temperatures (in particular in lesser mountainous areas - 50% of KSA is mountainous and in inland areas far away from the Red Sea) can reach 45 + celsius at the hottest days which is not something that everyone can cope with. At least the humidity is low which makes a world of difference, if you ask me and most humans.

Not a problem when the weather in those regions is absolutely fantastic for the remaining 8 months of the year.

In fact many Hijazi coastal cities have an excellent climate all year around.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Wajh

Median yearly temperature of 24.5 degrees. Heaven on earth!

Add to that the ever present and ever increasing number of visitors during Hajj and Umrah (24/7 hours a week 365 days a year) and you have a future top 5 position, at least a top 10 position, when it comes to most visited countries by tourists. KSA is already in the top 20 today (18 if I am not wrong). Not bad, not bad. Once again something that few (in this case no other country) is in such a position.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Tourism_rankings

So much potential. Nobody can deny this.

BTW, the visa laws are some of the harshest in the world. We need to change this.
 
Saudi crown prince launches mega Red Sea tourism project
Arab News | Published — Tuesday 1 August 2017
961791-1882678880.png

Red Sea Tourisms Project. (SPA)
961786-98085206.png

Red Sea Tourisms Project. (SPA)
961781-1539584070.png

Red Sea Tourisms Project. (SPA)
961776-1111095104.jpg

Red Sea Tourisms Project. (SPA)

JEDDAH: Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, chairman of the Public Investment Fund (PIF), on Tuesday announced the launch of an international tourism project in the Kingdom called The Red Sea.
Envisioned as a resort built across a lagoon of 50 untouched islands, The Red Sea will be situated in one of the world’s last natural hidden treasures, between the cities of Umlaj and Al-Wajh. It will be developed in partnership with the world’s leading hospitality firms.
Situated just a few kilometers from one of the most diverse Saudi nature reserves and captivating dormant volcanoes in Harrat Al-Rahat, the resort promises to be a blissful coastal island retreat set against a backdrop of the ancient ruins at Mada’in Saleh, renowned for its beauty and historical significance.
Visitors will be able to explore hidden treasures, including a nature reserve that boasts a stunning diversity of flora and fauna at the foothills of the dormant volcano nearby.
An array of marine-oriented resort developments will allow for unparalleled scuba diving among stunning coral reefs. The project will form an archipelago that is home to environmentally protected coral reefs, mangroves and several endangered marine species, including the hawksbill sea turtle.
It will also boast dormant volcanoes, the most recently active of which has a recorded history of activity dating back to the 17th century AD.
The project’s nature reserve is inhabited by rare wildlife including leopards, wolves, wildcats and falcons. Also on offer will be parachuting, trekking and rock climbing.
With tourism representing the second most important sector in the Kingdom, The Red Sea will spearhead the diversification of the Saudi leisure industry.

In line with Vision 2030, it will diversify Saudi tourism offerings to create a year-round hospitality sector while promoting cultural conservation and economic stimulation.
The Red Sea will serve as a wellness center while setting new standards for sustainable development and environmental protection, which will be central to the project’s development.
To ensure the highest standard of environmental conservation, the number of visitors annually will be capped and heritage sites will be restored.
Laws on par with international standards will govern the newly mapped semi-autonomous area, with initial groundbreaking expected in the third quarter of 2019.
Completion of the project’s first phase is anticipated by the last quarter of 2022, which will include development of hotels, luxury residential units and all logistical infrastructure such as air, land and sea transport hubs.
The project will be developed with seed capital from the PIF, while partnerships with top-tier international companies will be formed.
This will attract the world’s leading names in hotel and tourism operations while contributing to Saudi economic growth. The project aims to generate SR15 billion ($4 billion) annually to the Saudi economy and create 35,000 jobs.

http://www.arabnews.com/node/1137781/saudi-arabia#photo/0






We will welcome all visitors with open arms to Hijaz. Very pleased about the worldwide publicity.

Not trying to act more smug than necessary but I don't think that many countries are able to offer what KSA can offer to tourists (politics and a few temporary moronic laws aside), in particular in terms of marine life, beach and sea tourism.

Let alone fantastic weather all year round expect for June, July, August and September where temperatures (in particular in lesser mountainous areas - 50% of KSA is mountainous and in inland areas far away from the Red Sea) can reach 45 + celsius at the hottest days which is not something that everyone can cope with. At least the humidity is low which makes a world of difference, if you ask me and most humans.

Not a problem when the weather in those regions is absolutely fantastic for the remaining 8 months of the year.

In fact many Hijazi coastal cities have an excellent climate all year around.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Wajh

Median yearly temperature of 24.5 degrees. Heaven on earth!

Add to that the ever present and ever increasing number of visitors during Hajj and Umrah (24/7 hours a week 365 days a year) and you have a future top 5 position, at least a top 10 position, when it comes to most visited countries by tourists. KSA is already in the top 20 today (18 if I am not wrong). Not bad, not bad. Once again something that few (in this case no other country) is in such a position.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Tourism_rankings

So much potential. Nobody can deny this.

BTW, the visa laws are some of the harshest in the world. We need to change this.
 
286 islands on offer for tourism investment in southern Jazan
Arab News | Published — Friday 13 October 2017
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The 286 Farasan Islands are one of the biggest island groups in the southern part of Red Sea.

JAZAN: The Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTH) has announced that 286 islands off the Jazan coast will be on the market for tourism investment to raise the state’s income.
Rustom Al-Kubaisi, head of the SCTH’s branch in Jazan, said that an executive committee has been formed to encourage tourism investment by Jazan Gov. Prince Mohammed bin Nasser bin Abdul Aziz on Wednesday, along with a center for tourism investment services.
Al-Kubaisi, who was appointed secretary-general of the committee, told Sabq e-newspaper that forming this committee aims to publicize the Jazan region and the tourism investments available, facilitate and accelerate investment procedures so that the region can attract more investors from the tourism sector and make a qualitative shift to tourism services, in accordance with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.
The committee aims to raise the competitiveness of the tourism investment environment in Jazan by resolving obstacles facing investors; accelerating investment procedures; offering investment opportunities in a professional way; studying investors’ needs, wishes and reasons keeping them from investing; creating a well-studied and intensive marketing campaign to introduce the region; and offering investment opportunities through the participation in specialized exhibitions in the Kingdom as a first step, and in the Arab Gulf as a second step.
The 286 Farasan Islands, are one of the biggest island groups in the southern part of Red Sea, and one of the most important touristic locations, thanks to its natural beauty.
The SCTH has allocated SR3 billion ($800 million) to develop and transform the islands into a touristic environment. Farasan is the largest island of the Farasan Islands, located some 50 km offshore from Jazan. A number of uninhabited islands serve as breeding sites for large numbers of birds and Arabian gazelles.
Farasan Island was considered a major part of the trade in pearls in the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea in ancient times.

http://www.arabnews.com/node/1176856/saudi-arabia

Interesting. However there might be almost 2000 islands in KSA but I don't think that more than 20-25% should be allocated for tourism. A healthy balance must be found between tourism and preservation of nature, animal and marine life. Especially when we are talking about some of the most precious marine life on this earth. The coral reefs found in the Red Sea are the second largest in the world after the Great Barrier Reef in Australia for instance. It would be highly idiotic to endanger such nature. Especially as it is mostly unspoiled due to the lack of massive tourism in KSA, let alone those areas of the Kingdom.

I would hate to see this destroyed for the sake of monetary gains.
 
PHOTOS: A volcanic mountain in the middle of Red Sea in Saudi Arabia
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The island is visited by many tourists who have to take a boat to reach it. (Supplied)

Mohamed al-Harby, Al Arabiya.net
Monday, 8 January 2018


An island alongide an island in the middle of the Red Sea on the Saudi Arabian side exists within the blue waves of the ocean right across from al-Qahmah beach in the Asir region, southwest of Saudi Arabia.

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The island is visited by many tourists who have to take a boat to reach it. It is also considered a volcanic mountainous island which is covered in sand and rocks with little greenery, and a 360-degree view of the ocean.



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The island attracts hunting enthusiasts, who hunt birds including pigeons and eagles which can be found around the island.



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It is also believed that 11 ancient cemeteries were built there.



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These pictures were taken by photographer Adel Asiri who documented different areas of the island and the surrounding sea.



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Last Update: Monday, 8 January 2018 KSA 15:07 - GMT 12:07

http://english.alarabiya.net/en/lif...ntain-amidst-the-Red-Sea-in-Saudi-Arabia.html

Incredible video.


It seems that the establishment of a real tourism sector is a question of time with the recent decision to allow tourist-visas again. Fantastic decision due to the enormous potential of KSA in this regard.

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DJI_0005 copy by عبدالله العيدي, on Flickr
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https://uw-media.usatoday.com/video...ment=uw-smallarticleattophtml5&pagetype=story

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and its wealth of potential
Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 programme will drive growth across the country, most notably in its asset management, tourism and insurance sectors


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The effects of Vision 2030 on various Saudi sectors are far-reaching, but among those set to benefit is the asset management sector
ASSET MANAGEMENT | WEALTH MANAGEMENT
Interview with: Khaled Waleed Al Braikan, Head of Asset Management at NCB Capital

January 8, 2018
According to Tadawul data, Saudi Arabia’s economy accounts for around half the $1.6trn represented by the GCC overall, making it the biggest market in the Arab world and the 19th-largest on the planet. The country is undoubtedly a global behemoth – however, tumbling oil prices and subsequent OPEC cuts in oil production over the past two years have dealt their share of blows to the economy. In January 2017, the IMF slashed its 2017 forecast from nearly two percent to 0.1 percent. However, its forecast for 2018 – announced in October – predicts an increase of one percentage point.

In May 2016, the Saudi Government laid out plans to modernise, diversify and globalise its economy under its Vision 2030 plan, implementing a series of wide-ranging reforms designed to open the kingdom to foreign investors, reduce its reliance on oil exports and bring it in line with the world’s most powerful emerging economies.

“My first objective is for our country to be a pioneering and successful global model of excellence on all fronts, and I will work with you to achieve that,” declared King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud at the project’s outset. By loosening restrictions on outside investors and introducing new regulations, Saudi Arabia’s predominant goal under the programme is to rank itself among the top 15 economies in the world by 2030.

Vision 2030 aims to reduce Saudi Arabia’s reliance on oil exports and bring it in line with the world’s most powerful emerging economies

The effects of Vision 2030 on various Saudi sectors are far-reaching, but among those set to benefit is the asset management sector. One company capitalising on such opportunities is NCB Capital, the investment banking and asset management arm of National Commercial Bank, Saudi Arabia’s first bank.

As the largest asset manager in Saudi Arabia and the biggest Sharia-compliant asset manager in the world, NCB Capital is in a strong position in Saudi Arabia. World Finance spoke to Khaled Waleed Al Braikan, Head of Asset Management at NCB Capital, to find out his views on Vision 2030 and whether it will create opportunities for the asset management industry and NCB Capital itself.

What the future looks like
Though the Vision 2030 reforms are wide-ranging and carry significant positive implications for the Saudi economy in the longer run, they have also sped up the process of opening the Saudi market to international investors. Al Braikan believes the potential inclusion of Saudi Arabia in the MSCI Emerging Markets Index (a decision expected to be made in mid-2018, according to The National) is among the most significant outcomes of the ongoing stock market reforms: “The MSCI and FTSE Russell indices are benchmark indices for equity investment managers globally. As Saudi Arabia becomes part of these indices, we expect to see many more regional and international investors coming to the Saudi market.”

If the MSCI inclusion goes ahead, it is expected to bring significant international portfolio inflows to the Saudi stock market. Beyond that, there are various regulatory reforms already underway to help achieve the targets and encourage the interest of overseas investors. Since June 2015, for example, international equity investors with assets under management of more than $5bn have been able to access the Saudi exchange by applying to become Qualified Foreign Investors (QFIs). In 2016, market authorities lowered this assets under management cap to $3bn in order to facilitate more QFIs’ entry into the kingdom.

April 2017, meanwhile, saw the switch from a T+0 to a T+2 settlement cycle for listed securities – a model used by the majority of leading emerging markets to make stock market transactions more secure, and to attract more investment from overseas. Whereas execution and settlement previously took place on the same day, investors now have two days to verify deals and arrange funds.

“The right steps are being taken in terms of regulation to accommodate the needs of international investors,” said Al Braikan. “The authorities are in dialogue with the international investors; they’re listening to them and are acting quickly to address any potential concerns.”

Al Braikan refers to the recent authorisation of short selling as a further incentive to foreign investors, who now have the option to sell borrowed stocks and hedges. There is also the Independent Custody Model, which means international investors can now allocate a global custodian bank to hold their assets, rather than having to use a local broker.

It is not all about larger corporations, though. Just as important has been the increased focus on the SME sector. According to Al Braikan: “The government is looking to especially support this area in order to help drive the growth of non-oil revenue. One of the initiatives has been the creation of the Nomu-Parallel market, designed to allow SMEs to access and raise additional equity capital.”

Developed as an alternative to the traditional stock exchange, Nomu is a lighter market with more flexible listing requirements than the Tadawul. It has been designed to enable smaller companies to get listed which, in turn, will stimulate the wider local economy.

The Nomu market is restricted to qualified investors, whereas companies require a minimum market cap of SAR 10m ($2.7m). So far, the new market seems to be proving a success. “There appears to be a great deal of initial interest from the companies seeking to list on the Nomu-Parallel market, which is expected to grow significantly over the coming years,” continued Al Braikan. “Some of these companies, though relatively small, could eventually become future champions in the sectors in which they operate.”

Tourism and business
The reforms under Vision 2030 and Saudi Arabia’s National Transformation Programme 2020 (NTP 2020) have far-reaching effects across many sectors at Tadawul. Al Braikan highlighted a number of sectors that stand to benefit as a result of these reforms. The Saudi telecoms sector, for example, will see growth in three key areas: higher fibre optic coverage across the kingdom; improved availability of frequency spectrums to Saudi telecoms companies; and extensions in wireless broadband availability to remote areas. Al Braikan also highlighted that, under Vision 2030 and NTP 2020, the Saudi Government intends to fully privatise the electricity generation capacity while restructuring the existing power utility.

The government will also bring power tariff reforms through the removal of further subsidies. Speaking about the Saudi minerals sector, Al Braikan referred to these reforms as the future growth engine of the industrial sector, as Vision 2030 incorporates major investment plans to develop the mineral sector. On Saudi healthcare, Al Braikan revealed that Vision 2030 promises major reforms, including the privatisation of government hospitals, further optimisation of current healthcare spending, incentives for the private sector to step up its investments, and addressing lifestyle diseases through lowering smoking levels and curbing obesity.

Al Braikan is also extremely positive about the future of religious tourism. Vision 2030 aims to increase the number of Hajj and Umrah pilgrims through sustained investments in the physical infrastructure of the two holy cities. Accordingly, this should benefit the listed enablers of this sector. Al Braikan is also of the view that developments such as the evolution of real estate investment trusts (REITs), the imposition of white land taxes, and higher government spending commitments to build houses for the masses will create opportunities for the listed real estate sector. Al Braikan also named the insurance sector as a key beneficiary of Vision 2030.

According to Al Braikan: “Saudi Arabia has strong investment capabilities and tremendous growth potential. This is on the back of the kingdom’s strategic location, immense natural and mineral resources, and favourable dynamics.

“Saudi Arabia is ideally located in the midst of Asia, Europe and Africa. This enables the kingdom to offer transit and gateway facilities. Ultimately, Saudi Arabia can emerge as a major regional trade hub. Furthermore, Saudi Arabia can build upon its industrial base that takes advantage of its vast natural resources. Given the mining potential in the kingdom, sectors and industries can further be developed in areas such as phosphates, metals, energy and petrochemicals.

“The general dynamics of Saudi Arabia are also heavily in favour of investment development, and steps in this regard include the development and expansion of religious tourism and the expansion of physical infrastructure, such as airports and other supporting transport systems. The demographic dynamics of the kingdom are also extremely favourable – this enables the development and furthering of local talent and technological penetration in new and unique areas.”

Al Braikan highlighted the marked reduction in the government budget deficit from SAR 91bn ($24.3bn) in Q1 2016 to SAR 26bn ($6.9bn) in Q1 2017. This allowed the government to reinstate allowances for public sector employees. NCB Capital believes that restoring these allowances will increase average household income and may also increase the discretionary spending capability of a household in general. Al Braikan also pointed out that recent international sukuk issuance will further improve liquidity in the local market.


Targeted growth
Al Braikan believes the reforms will have a long-lasting impact on the overall health of the Saudi economy. He said: “Over the longer term, the market should benefit and grow in terms of both depth and breadth, as more companies are listed, including privatisations, and additional sectors are added. The more the listed companies reflect the overall economy, the more relevant it will be for investors seeking liquid access to the long-term Saudi economic story.”

NCB Capital’s own part in all of this is clear. By matching sources of capital with investment opportunities, the company will continue to support local firms as they develop, helping them raise essential capital. “NCB’s existing business strategy focuses on capitalising on the opportunities brought about by the kingdom’s ongoing transformation into a more diverse economy,” said Al Braikan. “We are closely watching the market dynamics of REITs, for example, and may come up with appropriate products in the medium term to capitalise on this opportunity.”

He concluded: “During 2018, our focus is likely to stay on growing our businesses within asset management, brokerage and advisory services. The changes coming as part of Vision 2030 will accelerate growth in many sectors, and therefore create opportunities for companies and investors alike.”

https://www.worldfinance.com/wealth-management/saudi-arabias-vision-2030-and-its-wealth-of-potential
 
Heat-resistant corals in the Middle East could save the world's dying reefs

By Sarah Lazarus, CNN

June 27, 2018

(CNN)Coral reefs are in crisis. Around the world, they are being wiped out by rising sea temperatures -- a consequence of climate change.


But in one region, some corals are withstanding the heat.
Off the coast of the Arabian Peninsula, there are pockets of resistance. Consequently, this area has become a hotbed for research as marine biologists try to figure out what gives these corals their ability to survive warming seas and whether genetic technology could -- and should -- be used to save dying coral reefs, before we lose them forever.

Reef life


Corals are not only beautiful -- they are also a vital part of the marine ecosystem.
"Coral reefs are home to a quarter of all marine species and support fisheries by providing foraging habitats for adult fish and nursery habitats for juveniles," says John Burt, a marine biologist at NYU Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates. "So they're really important biologically and economically."
Although they look like plants, corals actually consist of tiny, soft-bodied creatures called polyps that cluster together in huge numbers to form colonies. In most coral species, the polyps secrete limestone which forms a hard skeleton. A reef is a collection of corals, which come in a dazzling array of shapes and sizes, and a glorious rainbow of colors.
However, it's not the coral itself that creates the brilliant hues, but colorful microscopic algae that live within the coral. "It's a win-win relationship," says Burt. The coral provides the algae with essential nutrients and a safe place to live, while the algae provides the coral with about 90% of its food.
But when sea temperatures reach a tipping point that relationship breaks down. "The coral is either digesting the algae or expelling it -- we're not quite sure of the process," says Burt. As the density of algae drops, the coral "bleaches" -- becoming progressively paler until it turns bone white.

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Bleached coral on Australia's Great Barrier Reef.

Bleaching does not spell instant death. "Like humans, corals deposit fats, so they can live for a short period of time off their fat reserves," says Burt. And if the hot spell subsides, he says, the coral can "pull algae back into their tissue" and revive. But if that doesn't happen within one to two weeks, the corals starve to death.
Between 2014 and 2017, corals around the world suffered the longest and most widespread bleaching event on record. In Australia, during 2016, 29% of the 3,863 reefs that comprise the world's largest coral reef system -- the Great Barrier Reef -- were severely damaged.
During this period, the corals in the Gulf of Aqaba -- a narrow finger of water at the northernmost tip of the Red Sea, bordered by Israel, Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia -- appeared healthy. Jessica Bellworthy, from Israel's Bar Ilan University, says that although the Gulf is warming at a faster rate than the global average, mass bleaching has never been observed there.

Bellworthy is studying the Gulf of Aqaba's corals to find out just how resilient they are. "We tested the corals in the lab by raising the temperature by five degrees above the summer maximum of 27 degrees Celsius, and sustaining that for a number of weeks," she says.
In most places, corals start bleaching at one or two degrees Celsius above the maximum summer temperature, but the corals in Bellworthy's lab "still show resilience" even when subjected to these extreme increases.
An average global increase of five degrees Celsius in ocean temperature is "what we would expect to see towards the middle of the next century if we did nothing to reduce global gas emissions," she says.
Bellworthy subjected her corals to further tests by increasing the water's acidity. Climate change drives acidification, which does not cause bleaching but hampers the corals' ability to recover.
"The sea has a current pH level of 8.1," says Bellworthy, "and we anticipate that will decline to pH 7.8 by the end of the century. We've been lowering the pH of water in the tanks to that same level."

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Jessica Bellworthy working with corals in her laboratory's Red Sea Simulator system.

Again, the Gulf of Aqaba's corals coped remarkably well. What makes them so hardy?
Bellworthy's supervisor, Professor Maoz Fine, has suggested that their remarkable resistance stems from the last Ice Age. "Sea levels were extremely low because much of the water was trapped in ice and the southern entrance to the Red Sea was blocked by a land barrier," explains Bellworthy. "The Red Sea was isolated, and became so hot and salty that most life died out," she says, adding that a gap in the fossil record supports this theory.

About 8,000 years ago, the ice melted, sea levels rose and water flooded back into the Red Sea, bringing organisms with it. But the entrance acted as a thermal bottleneck and only those species that could cope with super-heated water survived.

"With time these organisms stepping stoned their way north, up to the Gulf of Aqaba," says Bellworthy.

The Gulf of Aqaba is now relatively cool but, according to Fine's theory, the corals have retained their ancient ability to survive bath-warm temperatures. "The current temperatures are even a little suboptimal," says Bellworthy. "In some cases, the corals perform better at 1 to 2 degrees Celsius above the current summer maximum."

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Jeremy Delafosse from the Energy Observer Project examing coral in the Gulf of Aqaba.

Bellworthy says that the Gulf of Aqaba corals have an unusually good chance of surviving global warming and protecting them is vital. In an effort to protect them from local pollution, which threatens them, she and her colleagues are seeking to achieve international recognition -- ideally UNESCO World Heritage Site status -- for the reefs.

Back from the brink

Further south, researchers at Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) are using genetic analyses to decipher why Red Sea corals are much less prone -- although not immune -- to bleaching, than the exact same species living on the Great Barrier Reef.
They are also comparing individual corals to determine why some show more heat tolerance than others. Once key lifesaving genes have been identified, the next step will be to breed the corals that carry them. "The question is: If we can identify the 'supermom' and 'superdad' corals, can we create 'superbabies' that will be more resilient to stressful conditions?" says Michael Berumen, who leads KAUST's Red Sea Research Center.

If we can identify the 'supermom' and 'superdad' corals, can we create 'superbabies'...?


Michael Berumen

The KAUST scientists are also examining the corals' microbiomes -- the bacteria, viruses and fungi that live in association with them. "Each individual coral may have up to a thousand types of bacteria living on or inside it. We don't yet know how important a role they play in heat resilience, but we assume it's significant," says Berumen.
In Abu Dhabi, Burt is conducting research in the southern Persian Gulf, the hottest coral reef habitat on the planet, where the sea temperature frequently hits a whopping 36 degrees.


"It's a natural laboratory for studying how coral reefs might respond to climate change," says Burt. "These corals exist in hotter conditions than are projected for at least another century in places like the Great Barrier Reef and the Caribbean."
Working with colleagues from the UK's University of Southampton, Burt's team examined the corals' algae component, and in 2015 discovered a new species of algae that dominates virtually all corals across the southern Persian Gulf.
The team named the algae Symbiodinium thermophilum -- thermophilum means "heat-loving."
"Over 99% of the algae in Persian Gulf corals are from this one species," says Burt, adding that he believes the algae enable the corals to survive the extreme environment.
It's possible, he says, that Symbiodinium thermophilum will spread to corals elsewhere, as ocean temperatures heat up. But natural processes are slow and climate change is occurring at an alarming rate.

Ethical dilemmas

Most marine biologists say that experimental measures being tested in the lab should not be deployed in the wild unless absolutely necessary and, even then, with extreme caution.
"Some scholars have talked about human-assisted migration -- moving heat-resistant corals from the southern Persian Gulf to other parts of the world," says Burt, "but we don't know the genetic implications, and there's a risk of introducing disease and parasites."

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Soft coral.

And as with any genetic engineering technology, the application of breeding research could lead to unexpected pitfalls.
"Our remit as scientists is to say which options are on the table," says Berumen. "The real dilemma comes later in the form of the ethical question: Should we use these technologies or not?" He adds that good quality data that quantifies the pros and cons is key to decision making. Ultimately, though, "it is up to reef management authorities to decide what to do within their jurisdictions."
There is consensus among coral experts that we should do more to preserve the reefs we already have, rather than relying on a scientific fix.
At the moment, Berumen says he's not ruling anything out. "The situation is critical in some parts of the world and large areas of coral reef have been killed by climate change stress, so extreme options might need to be on the table."

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Photos: Red Sea coral reefs
Coral head – Coral reefs are hotspots for biodiversity and a vital part of the marine ecosystem, home to a quarter of all marine species.
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Photos: Red Sea coral reefs
Soft coral – Most corals secrete limestone which forms a hard skeleton, but "soft" corals like this one do not. Although they don't help to build a permanent coral reef, soft corals provide food and shelter for lots of organisms.
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Photos: Red Sea coral reefs
Basket star – By day, basket stars coil their long arms and hide in small nooks and crannies on the reef. At night they feed, unfurling their arms and capturing small particles with their "branchlets."
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Photos: Red Sea coral reefs
Crown-of-thorns sea star – This large sea star, named for its sharp, spiky skin, feeds on living coral tissue and can cause severe damage to coral reefs. The triton shell -- a very large sea snail -- is one of its few natural predators. But triton shell populations have been badly depleted in many parts of the world because they are collected for use as food and ornaments.
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Photos: Red Sea coral reefs
Cuttlefish – Despite its name, the cuttlefish is not a fish -- it's a cephalopod, and closely related to octopuses and squids. Considered one of the most intelligent non-vertebrate animals, cuttlefish hunt prey on the reef, mostly by night. Masters of camouflage, they can change color patterns almost instantly. They use color changes to catch prey, avoid being eaten by predators, and communicate -- both with other cuttlefish and other species.
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Photos: Red Sea coral reefs
Sponge – Despite their outward appearance, sponges are animals. They draw water in through small pores (visible in this close-up photo) to capture floating food particles. Sponges tend to live in mutually beneficial relationships with other species -- crabs, shrimps, barnacles and brittle stars spend their entire lives on or inside the host sponge. Many sponges also harbor a vast diversity of microbial life -- in some, the biomass of microbes can outweigh the biomass of the sponge itself.
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Photos: Red Sea coral reefs
Sponge on a shell – The exterior of this shell has been covered with a red encrusting sponge, while the interior has been filled with small anemones or "mushroom" corals. Vacant space is hard to come by on a coral reef and competition is intense -- every spare surface is colonized quickly.
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Photos: Red Sea coral reefs
Feather duster worm – These striking worms live in areas where they can capture plankton or other food particles in the water.
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Photos: Red Sea coral reefs
Sea slug – This fairytale-looking creature is a type of sea slug called a nudibranch. Like land slugs it is very similar to a snail, but doesn't have a shell.
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Photos: Red Sea coral reefs
Feather star – Closely related to sea stars, feather stars are typically seen on coral reefs after sunset, when they perch on high parts of the reef and extend their feathery arms up into the water to catch plankton and other small food particles.
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Photos: Red Sea coral reefs
Yellow frog fish – The yellow frog fish lives on the coral reef and relies on it for food and safety.
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Photos: Red Sea coral reefs
Grouper – A carnivorous fish, the grouper lives and hunts prey on the coral reef.
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https://edition.cnn.com/2018/06/26/middleeast/middle-east-corals/index.html
 
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Saudi Arabia’s Mysterious Coral Reefs Documented by International Team


A coral reef off the Saudi Arabian coast of the Gulf of Aqaba. Photo credit: King Abdulaziz University.

U.S. and Saudi Arabian scientists launched the most extensive baseline survey to-date of coral reef ecosystems along the Saudi coast of the Gulf of Aqaba during late September 2016 — investigating multiple reef species in detail to support conservation.

Mote Marine Laboratory in Florida and King Abdulaziz University (KAU) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, partnered in the initial, two-week expedition focused on coral abundance, diversity and stress, along with the abundance and diversity of butterflyfish, sea urchins, seagrasses and other species that may indicate the health of this critical environment. Preliminary results suggest that some life forms may be healthier or more diverse in southern Gulf of Aqaba waters further from denser human populations. More data and analyses are needed to verify the possible significance of trends, and the researchers aim for another expedition in summer 2017.

The Gulf of Aqaba is bordered by Egypt on the west, Israel and Jordan in the north, and Saudi Arabia on the east. Though relatively small – about 111 miles long (180 kilometers) and 12 miles wide (20 km) – the Gulf is one of the northernmost living coral reef ecosystems and estimated to host approximately 210 species of hard corals and 120 species of soft corals. Coastal development and industry are denser in and around the northern-Gulf cities of Eilat, Israel, and Aqaba, Jordan, while the Saudi Arabian coast is far less populous and its waters are far less studied.

“I have had the good fortune to lead comprehensive, multi-year studies with colleagues in the northern Gulf since the mid-1990s, and the Gulf of Aqaba is known for its beautiful coral reefs. However, the Saudi Arabian portion of this significant body of water is largely unexplored — in particular, comprehensive studies of reef biodiversity and coral health down the length of this coast are lacking,” said Dr. Michael P. Crosby, President & CEO of Mote and leading U.S. partner in the expedition.

“With this expedition, we’ve initiated the first in what we expect to be a continuous time series of multi-discipline data acquisition and analyses spanning from the northern border with Jordan south along the Saudi Arabian coast of the Gulf and into the Straits of Tiran. We’re excited to partner with the outstanding marine science faculty and students of King Abdulaziz University to gather these baseline data, which are necessary for understanding and addressing emerging challenges to their coral reefs.”

Reefs worldwide face growing challenges from climate change and ocean acidification due to excess carbon dioxide from human activity. Reefs in the Gulf of Aqaba may also be vulnerable to pollution from the developed northern Gulf coast, fishing, oil spills and tourism impacts.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has committed to protecting its marine resources through several agreements and consortia. One is PERSGA, the Regional Organization for the Conservation of the Environment of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden — an intergovernmental body dedicated to conserving marine and coastal environments of the Red Sea, Gulf of Aqaba, Gulf of Suez, Suez Canal and Gulf of Aden surrounding the Socotra Archipelago and nearby waters. Member states include: Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.

“Scientific research has become an essential and effective contributor to understanding and addressing the various environmental impacts on the marine environment of the Gulf of Aqaba,” said Dr. Ali M. Al-Aidaroos, Professor at KAU and Saudi Arabian lead for the expedition. “International cooperation among scientists is aimed at understanding the risks and challenges of the Gulf environment in order to find innovative and sustainable management strategies. Mote Marine Laboratory is perfectly suited to help take on the challenges of the Gulf of Aqaba marine environment, which will benefit the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the world in general.”

September’s research expedition, funded by a grant from KAU, covered four Saudi Arabian sites from north to south: Haquel, Ras Dhabrah, Maknah and Ras Alsheikh Hamid. At each site, the researchers surveyed four transects at 5, 10 and 20 meters deep. Through observations, photos and samples, they worked to document coral abundance, diversity, health and microbial community; abundance, diversity and behavior of butterflyfish — indicator species for reef health; Diadema sea urchins and other reef-related organisms, including sediment-dwellers; and water chemistry, nutrients and plankton.

Some samples have yet to be processed. So far, preliminary results include:

Healthy corals: Of the 6,751 coral colonies examined in Saudi Arabian waters of the Gulf of Aqaba, 6,652 appeared healthy. Only 1.5 percent showed signs of stress. Corals tended to be healthier in deeper waters and at sites further south.


“We saw very few unhealthy corals,” said Dr. Erinn Muller, staff scientist at Mote. “When we did observe stress, it was usually due to predators or other natural causes of tissues loss, and some corals had signs of bleaching or harmful interactions with algae. We saw a few incidences of coral disease, but they were minimal.”

Among the four study sites, the researchers collected 59 coral samples and extracted DNA to identify their resident bacteria – a first for Saudi Arabian corals in the Gulf of Aqaba. Some bacteria will be cultured to test whether they fight coral disease or even produce compounds useful for human medicine.

Coral diversity and abundance: “The Saudi coral reefs along the 180-kilometer Gulf of Aqaba are generally in good condition, with high living coral cover, often exceeding 60 percent at the best sites,” said participating KAU scientist Dr. Abdulmohsin Abdullah M. Al-Sofyani. “Of the three depths surveyed, the best reefs were at 5 meters and 20 meters deep, where coral cover averaged 40 percent and 60 percent, respectively.”

Possible butterflyfish trend: Butterflyfish species that feed on corals respond to subtle changes in coral communities, making them excellent indicators of reef health. In the September survey, researchers counted the number of butterflyfish species, the number of individuals per species, and key territorially and feeding behavior traits. “Preliminary analyses of our first bit of data indicates an increasing richness of butterflyfish species going from north to south, which correlates with dense human population centers in the north to less populous areas in the south,” said Crosby of Mote. “This trend appears statistically significant, but we need to increase our sample size through future surveys and examine trends over time.”

Seagrasses: Seagrasses were more common toward the southern end of the Gulf. The invasive seagrass Halophila stipulacea was found at the two southern sampling sites, Maknah and Ras Alsheikh Hamid, and the native species Thalassodendron ciliatum was found at Ras Alsheikh Hamid, the most southern site, near the confluence of the Gulf and the Red Sea.

Invertebrate animals: “In general, we saw few crustaceans and mollusks — though we did observe Tridacna giant clams,” said Mote Senior Scientist Jim Culter. “The sediment was dominated by tiny polychaete worms.” Culter sampled sediment patches, which KAU staff will analyze for grain size, organic and carbonate content.

Culter noted that very few macroalgae (conspicuously large) were visible on the reefs studied. However, Diadema sea urchins, which feed on algae and help prevent excess algal growth on reefs, did increase in abundance from south to north. Close examination of the reef surface and sediment showed sparse, closely cropped algae and the presence of microscopic cyanobacteria also known as blue-green algae. These results may be explained more clearly when water quality data are processed.

“One possible explanation is that there are more nutrients in the upper Gulf near human population centers, which would support more algae for these urchins to eat,” said Dr. Dave Vaughan, Senior Scientist at Mote.

Water quality: The team collected water samples that will be analyzed for metals indicative of pollution, for pH, organic carbon, phosphorous and nitrogen compounds — all of which may affect the health of reef ecosystems. They also sampled for chlorophyll from marine algae and for tiny drifting organisms called plankton, which play important roles in the marine food web.

Mote scientists have focused on the Red Sea and Gulf of Aqaba since the Lab’s founder, Dr. Eugenie Clark, began studying the region’s fishes in the 1950s. Later in her career, Clark advocated preserving the Ras Mohammad area of the Red Sea, home to stunning coral reefs. Her voice provided crucial support and the area became Egypt’s first national park in 1983. Today, the Red Sea and Gulf of Aqaba remain major areas of focus for Mote.

Mote CEO Crosby has championed marine science and conservation in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aqaba since the mid-1990s. He worked with international partners to lead the Red Sea Marine Peace Park Cooperative Research, Monitoring and Management Program — an effort to protect coral reefs that support thousands of species in the Gulf of Aqaba. In 2002, Crosby also organized a Middle East Regional Marine Science Symposium and Workshop on Butterflyfish that was held in Jordan with participating researchers from 16 countries.

Said Crosby: “For us at Mote, this is an opportunity to carry forward what Dr. Eugenie Clark started, which has been a major focus for me over the past 20 years — building international marine science partnerships with outstanding researchers in the Middle East to study these crucial ocean resources so they can be conserved and sustainably used for future generations.”

By: Hayley Rutger, Mote Marine Laboratory

https://www.ecomagazine.com/news/sc...-coral-reefs-documented-by-international-team

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