Ocean currents are the lifeblood of marine ecosystems

Ocean currents are the lifeblood of marine ecosystems

Ocean currents are the lifeblood of marine ecosystems
In the Red Sea, efforts are ongoing to rehabilitate key habitats, which are vital to the health of ocean currents. (NCW photo)
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Water is the essence of life, and its movement across the oceans, driven by powerful currents, connects marine ecosystems. Ocean currents, both on the surface and in deep waters, influence countless species and regulate the planet’s climate.

For Saudi Arabia, with its unique marine ecosystems along the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf, understanding and protecting ocean currents is a critical mission led by the National Center for Wildlife, or NCW.

Ocean currents, often called the “conveyor belts” of the sea, transport heat, nutrients and oxygen, while connecting marine populations. Surface currents are mainly driven by wind, while deep ocean currents are shaped by differences in water density due to temperature and salinity variations.

These currents play a crucial role in shaping marine ecosystems, supporting biodiversity and maintaining the delicate balance of life beneath the waves.

For example, juvenile sea turtles in the Arabian Gulf and Red Sea rely on ocean currents during their early-life stages. Hatchlings drift with these currents for the first few months, gaining protection and determining the foraging areas that they will return to as adults.

Similarly, coral reefs — among the most biodiverse habitats — depend on ocean currents to distribute larvae, supporting the survival of future generations and the overall health of the marine ecosystem.

However, changing ocean currents, a consequence of global climate change, pose significant challenges to marine life.

Shifts in current patterns can disrupt migration routes for species such as whales and eels, hinder the flow of essential nutrients and alter the range of coral reefs. For example, warming waters from shifting currents in Western Australia have been linked to widespread coral bleaching and seagrass loss.

As the steward of its natural heritage, Saudi Arabia has a responsibility to protect its marine ecosystems and the global systems they support.

Mohammed Qurban

These impacts ripple through the marine food chain, affecting everything from plankton to apex predators such as sharks.

The National Center for Wildlife recognizes the crucial role of ocean currents in sustaining marine life and maintaining ecological balance. In the Red Sea, one of the world’s most biologically significant marine regions, the NCW studies and protects the connectivity of marine populations influenced by these currents.

In collaboration with regional partners, the NCW is leading efforts to rehabilitate key habitats, such as turtle nesting sites and coral reefs, which are vital to the health of ocean currents.

Additionally, the NCW is leading efforts to address the impacts of climate change on marine biodiversity. By closely monitoring changes in ocean circulation patterns, the NCW is developing strategies to mitigate disruptions to species migration, larval dispersal and habitat health.

These initiatives enhance the resilience of Saudi Arabia’s marine ecosystems and align with global biodiversity conservation goals, including the 30x30 pledge to protect 30 percent of the planet’s land and oceans by 2030.

Ocean currents offer important lessons, reflecting the interconnectedness of our actions and their consequences. By understanding and protecting these currents, we help to ensure the survival of species, the stability of ecosystems and the resilience of our planet in a changing climate.

As the steward of its natural heritage, Saudi Arabia has a responsibility to protect its marine ecosystems and the global systems they support. The NCW is committed to advancing research, promoting sustainable practices, and fostering international collaboration to preserve the lifeblood of our oceans for future generations.

Tomorrow’s wild depends on our will today.

Mohammed Qurban is the CEO of the National Center for Wildlife.
 

Disclaimer: Views expressed by writers in this section are their own and do not necessarily reflect Arab News' point of view

Duran, Ronaldo star as Al-Nassr win again

Duran, Ronaldo star as Al-Nassr win again
Updated 5 min 55 sec ago
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Duran, Ronaldo star as Al-Nassr win again

Duran, Ronaldo star as Al-Nassr win again
  • Duran scores twice, Ronaldo adds third
  • Al-Nassr back in third place in table after victory

RIYADH: Cristiano Ronaldo and Jhon Duran were on target on Friday as Al-Nassr beat Al-Fayha 3-0 to go back into third place in the Saudi Pro League.
Duran, who signed from Aston Villa from the English Premier League at the end of the January transfer window, put the Yellows ahead midway through the first half. The Colombian, who picked up possession just outside the area, turned inside and then shot home into the bottom corner to score his first goal in his first SPL game.


It was a great start but the Yellows had to wait until the 72nd minute to extend their lead. Duran got his, and the team’s, second as he lifted the ball over the goalkeeper from the edge of the six-yard box.
It sealed the win for the hosts, but there was still time for another goal, and two minutes later it was 3-0. Nawaf Boushal ran down the right and then pulled the ball back into the area for Ronaldo to sweep home from just inside the box. It was the 16th league goal of the season for the Portuguese star, who stays on top of the scoring rankings. It also secured another win for Al-Nassr, their fourth in succession.
“It was a good match and we played well against a solid opponent who did not make it easy for us,” said Al-Nassr’s coach Stefano Pioli. “We were patient and, at the end, we got what we wanted.”
The win means that Al-Nassr are in third place, five points behind Al-Hilal in second and eight behind leaders Al-Ittihad.
Earlier, Al-Ahli beat Al-Fateh 2-0 with both goals coming from England striker Ivan Toney from the penalty spot.


Hamas says Israeli block on diggers affecting extraction of hostages’ bodies

People walk past the rubble of destroyed buildings, in Jabalia, in the northern Gaza Strip, January 30, 2025. (REUTERS)
People walk past the rubble of destroyed buildings, in Jabalia, in the northern Gaza Strip, January 30, 2025. (REUTERS)
Updated 15 min 11 sec ago
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Hamas says Israeli block on diggers affecting extraction of hostages’ bodies

People walk past the rubble of destroyed buildings, in Jabalia, in the northern Gaza Strip, January 30, 2025. (REUTERS)
  • Of the 251 hostages Hamas seized in its unprecedented Oct. 7, 2023 attack on Israel, 76 remain in Gaza, including 34 the Israeli military has confirmed are dead

GAZA CITY: Hamas on Friday said Israel’s blocking of heavy machinery entering Gaza to clear rubble caused by war was affecting efforts to extract the bodies of hostages.
“Preventing the entry of heavy equipment and machinery needed to remove 55 million tonnes of rubble ... will undoubtedly affect the resistance’s ability to extract from under the rubble the dead prisoners (hostages),” said Salama Marouf, spokesman for Hamas’s media office in Gaza.
Hamas has repeatedly accused Israel of slowing down aid deliveries expected under the terms of the ongoing ceasefire in Gaza, including key items such as fuel, tents, and heavy machinery for clearing rubble.

FASTFACT

Hamas has repeatedly accused Israel of slowing down aid deliveries expected under the terms of the ongoing ceasefire in Gaza.

The Israeli government and COGAT, the Israeli Defense Ministry body that oversees civilian affairs in the Palestinian territories, have rejected the accusation.
Of the 251 hostages Hamas seized in its unprecedented Oct. 7, 2023 attack on Israel, 76 remain in Gaza, including 34 the Israeli military has confirmed are dead.
Hamas’ armed wing released the names of three captives it said would be freed on Saturday in a fifth hostage-prisoner swap as part of an ongoing agreement with Israel.
“Within the framework of the Al-Aqsa Flood deal for the prisoner exchange, the (Ezzedine) Al-Qassam Brigades have decided to release” the three hostages, Abu Obeida, spokesman for the armed wing, said on Telegram.

 


Khamenei warns against negotiating with US

Khamenei warns against negotiating with US
Updated 21 min 33 sec ago
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Khamenei warns against negotiating with US

Khamenei warns against negotiating with US
  • Trump, who returned to the White House on Jan. 20, reinstated on Tuesday his “maximum pressure” policy toward Iran over allegations the country is seeking to develop nuclear weapons

TEHRAN: Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei said on Friday that there should not be negotiations with the US, days after US President Donald Trump called for a new nuclear deal.
“You should not negotiate with such a government. It is unwise, it is not intelligent, it is not honorable to negotiate,” Khamenei said during a meeting with army commanders. The US had previously “ruined, violated, and tore up” a 2015 nuclear deal, he said, adding that “the same person who is in power now tore up the treaty.”
On Wednesday, Trump suggested striking a “verified nuclear peace agreement” with Iran, adding in his social media post that Tehran “cannot have a nuclear weapon.”
Trump, who returned to the White House on Jan. 20, reinstated on Tuesday his “maximum pressure” policy toward Iran over allegations the country is seeking to develop nuclear weapons.
Iran insists its nuclear program is solely for peaceful purposes and denies any intention to develop atomic weapons.
Following the policy’s reinstatement, Washington on Thursday announced financial sanctions on entities and individuals accused of shipping hundreds of millions of dollars worth of Iranian crude oil to China.
Tehran on Friday condemned the sanctions as “illegal,” saying they were “categorically unjustified and contrary to international rules.”
“We must understand this correctly: they should not pretend that if we sit down at the negotiating table with that government (the US administration), problems will be solved,” Khamenei said.
“No problem will be solved by negotiating with America,” he said, citing previous “experience.”
Khamenei also warned of reciprocal measures if the US threatened or acted against Iran.
“If they threaten us, we will threaten them. If they carry out this threat, we will carry out our threat. If they attack the security of our nation, we will attack their security without hesitation,” he said.
During President Trump’s first term, which ended in 2021, Washington withdrew from the landmark nuclear deal that had imposed curbs on Iran’s nuclear program in return for sanctions relief.
Tehran adhered to the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action deal until a year after Washington pulled out but then began rolling back its commitments. Efforts to revive the agreement have since faltered.
Khamenei said Iran was “very generous” during the negotiations culminating in the deal, but it “did not achieve the intended results.”
Iranian political expert Afifeh Abedi said Khamenei’s remarks highlight “a serious concern” that negotiations “will result in the US breaching its commitments.”
“Iran understands that Trump’s willingness to negotiate is a disingenuous, reactionary move driven by other objectives rather than a genuine commitment to reaching an agreement,” she said.
Iran has repeatedly expressed a willingness to revive the nuclear deal, and President Masoud Pezeshkian has called for an end to the country’s isolation.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi recently said that the new US administration should work to regain Tehran’s trust if it wants a new round of nuclear talks.
Western sanctions, especially since the US withdrawal from the nuclear deal, have taken a toll on millions of Iranians struggling to make ends meet amid high inflation and a plunging currency.
Khamenei acknowledged this on Friday, saying, “almost most segments of the population have some problems,” but adding they could be solved internally.
The current “respected government can reduce the people’s livelihood problems,” he said.
Without directly mentioning Gaza, Khamenei said on Friday the US administration was trying “to change the map of the world.”
“Of course, it is only on paper, it has no basis in reality,” he said.

 


Renowned Ramsi tomatoes still a staple on Saudi tables

Farmer Saeed Sulail is pictured here at a Ramsi tomato farm in Qatif. (AN photo by Hind Alkhunaizi)
Farmer Saeed Sulail is pictured here at a Ramsi tomato farm in Qatif. (AN photo by Hind Alkhunaizi)
Updated 31 min 30 sec ago
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Renowned Ramsi tomatoes still a staple on Saudi tables

Farmer Saeed Sulail is pictured here at a Ramsi tomato farm in Qatif. (AN photo by Hind Alkhunaizi)
  • Local farmers have been growing the crop for centuries
  • Used in salads, stews, sauces, and the famous Kabsa dish

DHAHRAN: Nestled in the Eastern Province of the Kingdom, Qatif is celebrated for its fertile soil, inviting climate, and rich agricultural heritage.

One of the region’s most prized crops is the Ramsi tomato, which is native to Saudi Arabia.

It is also the main product of Mohammad Al-Ghawy’s Ramsi Tomato Farm, which spans 45,000 sq. meters in Al-Awamiyah and produces other seasonal delights including local watermelon and cantaloupe.

Ramsi tomatoes have been a staple in Qatif for centuries due to the region’s significant role as a major agricultural producer. (AN photo by Hind Alkhunaizi)

The succulent tomatoes are celebrated nationwide for their vibrant color, firm texture, and sweet-tangy flavor.

They are grown using traditional farming methods, which involve careful nurturing and attention to detail.

Saeed Sulail, a farmer from Qatif, told Arab News: “In terms of the harvest, the growing season lasts for more than three months, from December to the beginning of April.”

FASTFACTS

• The succulent tomatoes are celebrated nationwide for their vibrant color, firm texture, and sweet-tangy flavor.

• Despite their popularity, production faces challenges, including climate change, desertification, water scarcity, and soil degradation.

He added: “If we add the duration of planting seeds and nurseries (the greenhouses), it is approximately eight months. The soil in Qatif is enriched with nutrients and minerals that foster robust growth.”

He highlighted the importance of proper fertilization. “These are the industrial fertilizers that trees and plants need to grow well, but they must be in specific ratios for each stage of the plant’s life.”

The result of this labor of love is a delicious product packed with nutrients and antioxidants.

Ramsi tomatoes have been a staple in Qatif for centuries due to the region’s significant role as a major agricultural producer. Their popularity has spread throughout the Kingdom, making them a staple in many Saudi households.

Today, Qatif remains the primary producer of Ramsi tomatoes, with many local farms dedicating their land to their cultivation. Ramsi tomatoes hold a special place in Saudi culture, particularly during the summer months when they are in season.

They are often served as a refreshing side dish, sliced and dressed with olive oil, salt and pepper.

In many households, Ramsi tomatoes are used in traditional dishes including salads, stews and sauces, as well as the famous Saudi Arabia dish, Kabsa, which consists of meat, spices and vegetables.

Despite their popularity, production faces challenges, including climate change, desertification, water scarcity, and soil degradation.

Local farmers and authorities are working together to implement sustainable farming practices, such as drip irrigation and crop rotation.

 


Kiswa on display at Islamic Arts Biennale in Jeddah

Kiswa on display at Islamic Arts Biennale in Jeddah
Updated 31 min 46 sec ago
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Kiswa on display at Islamic Arts Biennale in Jeddah

Kiswa on display at Islamic Arts Biennale in Jeddah
  • Offers unique perspective of Kiswa manufacture and phases of Islamic art over centuries

JEDDAH: The second edition of the Islamic Arts Biennale 2025, at King Abdul Aziz International Airport’s Western Hajj Terminal in Jeddah, is hosting a unique event where the Kaaba’s complete Kiswa is being displayed for the first time outside Makkah.

This exceptional experience at the biennale’s “Al-Bidaya” (The Beginning) section, offers visitors an opportunity to examine the aesthetics of Islamic craftsmanship, in particular the Kiswa’s gold and silver embroidery.

The display of the Kiswa is a part of the Diriyah Biennale Foundation’s efforts to promote awareness of the rich history and cultural legacy of Islamic art, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently.

The biennale offers an immersive journey in the making of the Kiswa, including the selection of the finest silk, hand-weaving, as well as the gold and silver embroidery. (SPA)

The biennale offers an immersive journey in the making of the Kiswa, including the selection of the finest silk, hand-weaving, as well as the gold and silver embroidery.

Additionally, the biennale is screening a film outlining the evolution of the Kiswa across different eras and the artistic techniques used in its ornamentation, narrating a story of innovation and dedication over centuries, the SPA reported.

It also has a selection of rare artifacts from Makkah and Madinah, alongside contemporary artworks that highlight the spiritual aspects of Islamic art.

The “Al-Bidaya” section offers an interactive experience that blends visual and auditory elements, through light shows and soundscapes, that unveil the symbolic meanings behind the Kiswa’s inscriptions and ornamentation.

The display of the Kiswa not only showcases its artistic beauty but also highlights Saudi Arabia’s leading role in serving the two holy mosques.

This show serves as a significant milestone in the exploration of Islamic art, spreading cultural awareness and deepening appreciation for the craftsmanship behind the making of the Kiswa, the SPA reported.