RIYADH: Every year on Oct. 8, the world celebrates World Octopus Day, a symbol of marine biodiversity that highlights the uniqueness of life beneath the water’s surface.
The octopus is one of the most extraordinary and intelligent creatures of the sea, known for its remarkable abilities in camouflage, adaptation, and complex behavior.
Its memory and capacity for learning have made it a subject of fascination for scientists and researchers worldwide.
In the Kingdom’s waters, particularly in the Red Sea, the octopus’s uniqueness is on full display.
Saudi Arabia’s marine environment is an intricate ecosystem that supports an incredible variety of marine life, including several species of octopus, all of which play a crucial role in maintaining the ecological balance.
Scientific studies have confirmed the presence of at least eight documented species and three potential species of octopus in the Red Sea, a hidden haven for octopus evolution due to its unique conditions, such as high salinity and elevated temperatures.
Octopuses in the Red Sea are found at depths ranging from just two meters to 200 meters, living among coral reefs and sandy sea beds.
These creatures make up between 3.1 percent to 3.5 percent of the world’s known octopus species diversity, a testament to the exceptional biodiversity of the Red Sea.
Over the course of five field research missions, Saudi scientific teams collected 87 marine samples from various locations along the western coast, including coral reefs and coastal areas.
Their findings revealed the Red Sea hosts a range of octopus species, such as the diurnal octopus (Octopus cyanea), known for its daytime activity, and the Abdopus horridus, a master of camouflage that blends seamlessly into the reefs.
The discovery of additional species that haven’t yet been recorded globally further underscores the unique and diverse marine life of the Red Sea.
These groundbreaking scientific findings are central to Saudi Arabia’s ongoing efforts to protect its marine environment and conserve natural resources, in line with Vision 2030, which prioritizes environmental sustainability.
A range of government agencies, led by the Saudi Red Sea Authority, are working together to safeguard the marine environment.
These coordinated efforts ensure that future generations will continue to benefit from and appreciate the Red Sea’s unparalleled biodiversity.
