JEDDAH, 14 July 2005 — Environmental protection issues in Saudi Arabia are strongly linked — but not limited — to the production, processing and transportation of oil and natural gas.
In recent years, the Kingdom has been increasing its efforts aimed at protecting the country from various environmental hazards, while attempting to balance these concerns with the country’s heavy dependence on hydrocarbon production and export.
On the whole, the Kingdom is striving to minimize the impacts of the country’s hydrocarbons sector on its environment (including the waters surrounding Saudi Arabia). The country also is attempting to safeguard the health of its rapidly growing population.
The Kingdom is keen to protect the environmental safety of the Gulf and Red Sea, and has been introducing advanced equipment and techniques to protect the environment through safety measures, early warning systems against possible oil leakage, and advanced methods to control and contain any pollution.
However, a major threat to the Red Sea coast comes from the refuse including food containers, water bottles and plastic bags thrown into the sea. Although much work has been done in cleaning up the coast in the past, a new joint effort is being considered to give Jeddah’s coastal areas a facelift. Various environment-friendly organizations are coming together to launch a sustained campaign.
Representatives of different organizations met at Sands Hotel here to chalk out a plan of action in which many divers will be involved in the cleaning-up operation of the seacoast.
Aside from the Supreme Commission for Tourism (SCT), a number of organizations were represented at the meeting. They included Red Sea Divers, Dream Divers, Blue Reef Divers, Makkah Divers, Jeddah International Marine Club and Durat Al-Aroos.
“This is the most significant event in which more than 200 divers will participate in the Red Sea cleanup 2005 campaign,” said the spokesman for the organizers.
The joint meeting also decided to send a delegation to meet with concerned authorities.
Among those taking part in the interactive meeting were Keith W. Sproule, Omar Al-Mualim and Majed Al-Shabanah. Operation Incharge Abu Backer, Magie Andriopoulos, underwater videographer and photographer, and rescue diver Sabir Bakhsh represented Desert Sea Divers.
