Status analysis of the Red Sea fisheries in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Abstract

The Red Sea is a unique marine ecosystem and Saudi Arabia's coastline has the longest portion. The Red Sea ecosystem off Saudi Arabia's coast is characterized by vibrant nature that is populated by many forms of marine life and more than a third of known fish species spend part or all of their lives in coral reef habitat. Saudi Arabia's fishing fleet has recently developed and diversified the methods. Large fishing vessels such as trawling and purse seine have been engaged in fishing at the Red Sea, along with artisanal fishing, resulting in increased pressure on fish stocks. The fishing fleet operating in the Saudi Red Sea has increased substantially since 1996, in comparison, fish catch has not increased. Government endeavours to monitor and track fishing activities to reduce the depletion of stocks. Industrial development, human activity, and urban expansion affect the Red Sea environment significantly. The timely detection and control of pollution emissions also decrease its impacts on the Red Sea ecosystem. Finally, the Saudi coastal Red Sea fisheries need a lot of serious research to provide information and data that contribute to their natural resource sustainability.