Full steam ahead for Saudi Arabia’s aquaculture dream

Aquaculture today plays a vital role in helping to achieve the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, including diversifying national income sources. (Supplied/KAUST/Reuters)
Aquaculture today plays a vital role in helping to achieve the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, including diversifying national income sources. (Supplied/KAUST/Reuters)
Short Url
Updated 18 September 2024
Follow

Full steam ahead for Saudi Arabia’s aquaculture dream

Full steam ahead for Saudi Arabia’s aquaculture dream
  • Sector plays major role toward increasing seafood consumption rate, says official

JEDDAH: The Kingdom decided to introduce aquaculture more than 40 years ago, leading to the establishment of the National Fisheries Center. Since then, the sector has undergone significant development through international partnerships and collaborations, particularly with the Food and Agriculture Organization.

Aquaculture today plays a vital role in helping to achieve the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, diversifying national income sources, and transforming the sector into a genuine industry that contributes to the Kingdom’s food security.

Following its launch, the National Livestock and Fisheries Development Program has enabled the Kingdom to build expertise, forming a solid foundation for achieving future goals.




Aquaculture is also encouraging growth and prosperity for coastal and rural areas, while preserving biodiversity and the environment. (Supplied/KAUST)

Abdul Majeed Al-Shehri, director of corporate communications and partnerships at the program, gave Arab News a look at the program and its developments.

He said: “We are working, through integration with other sectors, in food industries to improve production efficiency and add value to achieve self-sufficiency.

HIGHLIGHT

Aquaculture in Saudi Arabia is encouraging growth and prosperity for coastal and rural areas, while preserving biodiversity and the environment.

“This includes the establishment of Animal Protein City in the Jazan region, which aims to build emerging food clusters and develop logistical services for supply chains. In numbers, we have increased aquaculture production from 32,000 tonnes in 2016 to 120,000 tonnes in 2023.”

Aquaculture is also encouraging growth and prosperity for coastal and rural areas, while preserving biodiversity and the environment.




Aquaculture today plays a vital role in helping to achieve the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, including diversifying national income sources. (Supplied/KAUST)

According to an official statement, the sector has linked with other agricultural, medical, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries, and contributed to the development of related industries such as seafood processing, feed production, and fishery-based manufacturing industries.

A diverse range of aquatic species have been introduced to suit the various geographic and climatic regions of the Kingdom, including Nile tilapia, carp, ornamental fish, and sturgeon in inland waters, and barramundi, marine tilapia, gilthead seabream, European seabass, and sea cucumber in marine ecosystems.

The introduction of rainbow trout has also seen encouraging success, alongside the implementation of modern technologies like closed systems in farming operations.

In numbers, we have increased aquaculture production from 32,000 tonnes in 2016 to 120,000 tonnes in 2022.

Abdul Majeed Al-Shehri, National Livestock and Fisheries Development Program, Institutional Communications Director

The aquaculture sector in Saudi Arabia produces over 140,000 tonnes annually, with a distribution of 25 percent from inland fish farms and 75 percent from marine water projects.

Several cultured products are exported, including shrimps, certain types of fish, ornamental fish, and sea cucumbers. Annually, 59,844 tonnes of fish and shrimps are exported, with a total value of SR1.1 billion ($293 million).




Aquaculture today plays a vital role in helping to achieve the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, including diversifying national income sources. (Supplied/KAUST)

Biosecurity monitoring programs have enhanced quality and safety standards, resulting in Saudi aquaculture products being sought by consumers in nearly 35 countries.

Countries importing shrimps from the Kingdom include Japan, China, the US, Australia, South Korea, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Taiwan, Vietnam, Myanmar, the Netherlands, South Africa, the EU countries, and Russia.

Al-Shehri said: “In the field of shrimp farming, we cultivate whiteleg shrimp. We also have an initiative for applied research to explore the introduction of several new species suitable for farming in the Kingdom, in collaboration with KAUST (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology).

“Additionally, we are working on cultivating several types of microalgae and have studied two species of seaweed.”

Alongside increasing the aquaculture sector’s contribution to food security and achieving self-sufficiency in seafood, Al-Shehri added: “We aim for the sector to play a major role in providing fresh and healthy seafood to the community, with leadership focused on improving quality of life and transitioning to healthier lifestyles.

“This includes increasing the seafood consumption rate to the global average of 18 percent by 2030.”

He added that the seafood consumption rate in the Kingdom had increased from 9 percent in 2016 to 13 percent in 2023.

The National Center for Fisheries Research in Jeddah, which was established in 1982, has played a pivotal role in advancing aquaculture research and development in Saudi Arabia.

The center has contributed to sharing its knowledge with the private sector to boost shrimp production projects, as well as cultivating marine tilapia in fully saline water and introducing barramundi to the Kingdom.

Collaborative studies with institutions like KAUST have been instrumental in assessing stocks of fish species and looking at critical habitats, guiding conservation efforts.

Inland aquaculture initiatives, such as the partnership with the Innovators Center at King Abdulaziz University, highlight the center’s dedication to exploring modern technologies and enhancing productivity in aquaculture systems.

Al-Shehri said: “We (have) launched the National Livestock and Fisheries Development Program, which includes an initiative to develop fishing ports. This initiative has worked on developing 16 fishing ports, intending to develop 28 more, bringing the total number of ports to 44 across various locations in the Kingdom. This initiative has reduced fishing effort by 40 percent.

“We (have) also conducted a study in collaboration with KAUST to assess the stocks of major fish species and critical fishery habitats.”

In addressing the challenge of aquatic diseases, the center has set a high standard for biosecurity and quality control in aquaculture projects.

Since its inception, the program has been highly effective in safeguarding aquaculture organisms from diseases. Currently, 95 percent of aquaculture projects in the Kingdom are certified under Best Aquaculture Practices.

The Fish Health and Safety Laboratory in Jeddah serves as the reference diagnostic laboratory for the World Organisation for Animal Health in the Middle East. The laboratory provides comprehensive diagnostic reports for companies and entities requiring aquatic health testing.

It recently earned the ISO/IEC 17025 certification for testing laboratories and has established a twinning program with the University of Arizona’s Aquatic Animal Health Laboratory.

Saudi Arabia earlier this year chaired the 36th session of the Committee on Fisheries in Rome, an international government forum at which members reviewed and discussed global fishery and aquaculture challenges.


KSrelief official meets International Medical Corps chief and WHO director-general

KSrelief official meets International Medical Corps chief and WHO director-general
Updated 27 September 2024
Follow

KSrelief official meets International Medical Corps chief and WHO director-general

KSrelief official meets International Medical Corps chief and WHO director-general

NEW YORK: The supervisor-general of Saudi aid agency KSrelief and the chief executive of the International Medical Corps met on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York on Thursday.

Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabiah and Nancy Aossey discussed issues of mutual interest related to humanitarian affairs, along with ways to increase cooperation in providing relief and medical assistance worldwide.

Aossey commended KSrelief’s medical programs, which are helping improve health conditions in various countries.

Al-Rabiah also met with World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus to discuss humanitarian projects in the healthcare sector.

Ghebreyesus commended medical initiatives carried out by KSrelief, highlighting the strategic partnership between their respective organizations.


Saudi Arabia, allies seek to push forward two-state solution to Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Saudi Arabia, allies seek to push forward two-state solution to Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Updated 27 September 2024
Follow

Saudi Arabia, allies seek to push forward two-state solution to Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Saudi Arabia, allies seek to push forward two-state solution to Israeli-Palestinian conflict

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia and its partners had convened a global alliance to push forward a two-state solution agenda to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan said on Thursday.

The agenda is based on the conviction that a permanent settlement can only come via the establishment of a Palestinian state, the top Saudi diplomat said.

“What we are trying to do is build a coalition aimed at implementing the two-state solution and that needs certain building blocks, including capacity building within the Palestinian authority,” Prince Farhan said.

He said the Kingdom and allies would organize meetings at the senior working level in Riyadh, Brussels, Cairo, Oslo, Amman, and Ankara as part of the plan.

“I fail to understand how the continuation of war can be the only option,” he said. “There must be other options, and therefore I will reiterate our call for a ceasefire and for diplomacy to prevail.”

The decades-long conflict has come to a boiling point after Hamas militants stormed across the Gaza border and attacked Israeli settlements on Oct. 7, killing nearly 1,200 people.

Israeli retaliatory action has laid waste to much of Gaza and killed over 41,000 in the enclave.

The conflict now has spread more widely to Lebanon. Israel has been attacking the southern part of the country where the Iran-backed Hezbollah group is strongest.

World powers fear that the conflict could escalate further, especially if Iran gets involved.

A call to halt hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah by the US and France and their allies has been rejected by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday.

Asked about the Israeli premier's response, the Saudi diplomat said: “I wish I could tell you. I was surprised.”

Prince Faisal said the ceasefire proposal had been worded carefully to take into account the interests of both Lebanon and Israel.

There has been ongoing efforts to bring about an end to hostilities in the region, but all have failed except a brief pause in November when a number of hostages were exchanged between the Israelis and Palestinians.

“We have seen since the start of the war a pattern, every time we are told we are close to a ceasefire in Gaza, it does not happen,” Prince Faisal said.

“Similarly, when we were with our partners working together on a very concrete call for a ceasefire in regard to Lebanon, our impression was that was acceptable, only to learn now that, no, it is not acceptable.”

He said that the group was attempting to set the groundwork for the solution. As for Saudi Arabia, the focus was on establishing the Palestinian state.

 

 


Saudi economy minister meets Nigerian official in New York

Saudi economy minister meets Nigerian official in New York
Updated 26 September 2024
Follow

Saudi economy minister meets Nigerian official in New York

Saudi economy minister meets Nigerian official in New York

NEW YORK: Faisal bin Fadhil Alibrahim, the Saudi minister of economy and planning, met with Hannatu Musa Musawa, Nigeria’s minister of arts, culture and creative economy, on the sidelines of the Summit of the Future in New York.

The meeting focused on exploring areas of cooperation and addressing topics of shared interest, the Saudi Press Agency reported.


Saudi interior minister receives Jordanian counterpart

Saudi Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz receives his Jordanian counterpart in Riyadh.
Saudi Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz receives his Jordanian counterpart in Riyadh.
Updated 26 September 2024
Follow

Saudi interior minister receives Jordanian counterpart

Saudi Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz receives his Jordanian counterpart in Riyadh.
  • During the meeting, ways to enhance security cooperation between their ministries and topics of common interest were discussed

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz received his Jordanian counterpart Mazen Abdullah Hilal Al-Faraya in Riyadh on Thursday.

During the meeting, ways to enhance security cooperation between their ministries and topics of common interest were discussed. 

The two ministers also signed a cooperation agreement between Saudi Arabia and Jordan that aims to combat illicit trafficking and smuggling of narcotics, psychotropic substances, and chemical precursors.


‘Echoes of Time’ exhibition: An artistic exploration of Saudi Arabia’s archaeology

‘Echoes of Time’ exhibition: An artistic exploration of Saudi Arabia’s archaeology
Updated 26 September 2024
Follow

‘Echoes of Time’ exhibition: An artistic exploration of Saudi Arabia’s archaeology

‘Echoes of Time’ exhibition: An artistic exploration of Saudi Arabia’s archaeology
  • The event marks the 20th anniversary of German Archaeological Institute’s excavations in Saudi Arabia

RIYADH: A new art exhibition inspired by early archaeological exploration in Saudi Arabia has opened in Riyadh.

The Goethe-Institut in Riyadh, in partnership with the German Embassy and the German Archaeological Institute, or DAI, in Berlin, recently opened “Echoes of Time,” an exhibition marking the 20th anniversary of DAI excavations in Saudi Arabia.

Curated by Salma Al-Khalidi, the exhibition displays work from Saudi artist Daniah Al-Saleh and German artist Susanne Kriemann.

“The Saudi art scene is fantastic,” Al-Saleh told Arab News. “It’s alive and expanding, with numerous opportunities for artists thanks to the support of the Ministry of Culture and the government.

“It’s an amazing time to be an artist, especially with the backing of the German Archaeological Institute and the German Embassy. This exhibition is a wonderful opportunity to showcase our work and collaborate with fellow artists.”

The opening reception was held on Sept. 24 at 6:00 p.m. and was attended by Michael Kindsgrab, the German ambassador to Saudi Arabia, along with several members from the German Embassy and DAI.

Set against the archaeological landscapes of Tayma and AlUla, the exhibition encourages viewers to perceive the desert as a place where history and modernity intersect, emphasizing the significance of environmental stewardship in global discussions about history and ecology.

Al-Saleh’s artwork, “A Stone’s Palette,” utilizes carnelian beads from ancient sites like Rujum Sa’sa’ and Tell Saq, blending ancient materials with contemporary techniques to create mixed-media pieces.

“Initially, my proposal focused on the Nabatean queens, but the German archaeologists were more interested in the Bronze Age. In our discussions, I discovered that carnelian beads were consistently found at various sites. In Tayma, there’s a carnelian bead factory that dates back about 5,000 years, leading me to shift my focus to these beads,” Al-Saleh explained.

Susanne Kriemann’s work, “Datadust Skin on Sand,” contrasts ancient artifacts with modern waste found in Qurh and Tayma. Her photographic prints combine archaeological discoveries with microplastics, shedding light on the environmental impact of plastic pollution in desert landscapes and offering a nuanced perspective on contemporary ecological issues.

Kriemann described her process: “I began early one morning when it was still dark, taking photos of a mountain every 10 minutes, capturing a hidden watchtower. I selected about 12 images depicting the slowly rising sun mirrored in the tower’s colors. I used Datadust textile, which is employed in archaeological sites, to create layers in my work.”

The exhibition is running at the Ahlam Gallery in Riyadh from Sept. 24 to Oct. 7, 2024.