The National Center for Wildlife recorded the influx during its 2025 winter census, highlighting the islands’ role as a key stopover on international migration routes.

Monitoring teams documented 45 waterbird species across the reserve, showcasing the region’s rich biodiversity and the healthy state of its marine and coastal ecosystems.

These habitats offer safe resting areas and abundant food resources, making the reserve a vital sanctuary for birds traveling long distances each year.

The findings form part of a long-term environmental monitoring program designed to improve ecosystem management and enhance wildlife sustainability.

Through continuous data collection and analysis, the program supports conservation strategies aimed at protecting fragile species and preserving the balance of Red Sea ecosystems.

The Farasan Islands Reserve is widely recognized as one of Saudi Arabia’s most significant natural sites, known for its stunning coral reefs, diverse marine life, and pristine coastlines.

These characteristics make the region not only ecologically important but also a growing destination for eco-tourism and environmental research.

Earlier this month, the reserve achieved a historic milestone by being added to the Ramsar Convention List of Wetlands of International Importance.

This marks the first time a site in Saudi Arabia has been registered under the treaty, signaling the Kingdom’s expanding role in global environmental protection efforts.

The inclusion in the Ramsar list strengthens the nation’s commitment to safeguarding ecosystems and managing natural resources responsibly.

It also enhances the international profile of the Farasan Islands, promoting further collaboration, research, and sustainable development initiatives.

This achievement aligns closely with Saudi Vision 2030 and the Saudi Green Initiative, both of which place environmental protection at the heart of the Kingdom’s future strategy.

These programs aim to expand protected areas, restore ecosystems, and increase biodiversity as part of a broader transition toward environmental sustainability.

Local authorities continue to work on improving conservation infrastructure across the reserve, ensuring that migratory birds and native species alike benefit from safe and thriving habitats.

Efforts include habitat restoration, scientific monitoring, and community engagement aimed at fostering environmental awareness.

The arrival of thousands of birds this season reinforces the importance of the islands as a natural refuge for life along the Red Sea.

It also highlights the positive impact of ongoing conservation policies, which are successfully preserving critical ecosystems in the face of regional and global environmental challenges.

As the Farasan Islands move forward under strengthened international recognition, the reserve’s future appears bright with new opportunities for preservation and sustainable tourism.

By protecting migratory routes and nurturing marine and coastal biodiversity, the region stands as a symbol of the Kingdom’s commitment to environmental leadership.

Conducted throughout 2024 and 2025, the study reflects Saudi Arabia’s growing commitment to sustainable conservation and environmental stewardship under the Vision 2030 framework.

The large-scale assessment, carried out across more than 400 sites, examined vital marine and coastal habitats such as coral reefs, seagrass meadows, mangrove forests, and mudflats.

The project was completed in collaboration with international experts using advanced research methods, including underwater imaging, satellite remote sensing, and internationally recognized ecological evaluation techniques.

The findings revealed that coral reefs along the eastern coast maintain a healthy cover rate of around 22 percent, with minimal bleaching not exceeding 2 percent.

Scientists noted that the dominant coral species, including Porites and Merulina, exhibited strong resilience to the region’s warm temperatures and changing environmental conditions.

These results demonstrate the natural strength of Saudi Arabia’s marine biodiversity and the success of recent conservation initiatives.

Equally promising were the results for seagrass meadows, which remain stable across most surveyed areas. These meadows are critical for maintaining marine life and supporting carbon storage.

Meanwhile, mangrove forests were found to span approximately 1,573 hectares, displaying dense and healthy vegetation, especially in key areas such as Ras Tanura and Tarout Island.

Mangroves play an essential role in protecting shorelines, preventing erosion, and providing nursery grounds for fish and other marine species.

The assessment also highlighted the richness of marine fauna in the Arabian Gulf. More than 80,000 fish from 90 distinct species were observed during the study, alongside sightings of large marine animals including dugongs, dolphins, turtles, sharks, and rays.

These findings reinforce the Arabian Gulf’s importance as a critical habitat supporting regional biodiversity and sustaining vital ecosystems.

In addition to marine life, the study recorded 176,836 birds representing 69 different species, emphasizing the region’s significance as a global stopover for migratory birds.

Peak bird numbers were noted during the autumn migration season, with Dammam Corniche and Tarout Bay identified as key breeding and aggregation zones.

Researchers even documented the first recorded sighting of Franklin’s gull in Saudi Arabia, marking an exciting discovery for ornithologists and nature enthusiasts.

National Center for Wildlife CEO Mohammed Qurban emphasized that the assessment reflects Saudi Arabia’s dedication to scientific research, biodiversity preservation, and sustainable ecosystem management.

He stated that the results will serve as an important scientific reference to guide national planning and decision-making aimed at protecting the Kingdom’s natural heritage.

Qurban also highlighted that maintaining healthy coastal and marine environments contributes directly to global climate stability, food security, and economic sustainability.

He affirmed that the study’s findings align with the broader objectives of the Saudi Green Initiative, which seeks to enhance environmental conservation, expand protected areas, and promote ecological restoration throughout the country.

The positive assessment of the eastern coastal environment builds on previous studies by the NCW, including extensive research in the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf.

These initiatives demonstrate Saudi Arabia’s leadership in using data-driven methods to ensure the long-term protection of its natural ecosystems while balancing sustainable development.

The report’s conclusions mark an important step in the Kingdom’s journey toward environmental resilience. By integrating science, innovation, and policy, Saudi Arabia continues to establish itself as a regional leader in conservation and sustainable marine management.

The results from this study reaffirm that the Kingdom’s eastern coastline remains vibrant, biologically diverse, and capable of supporting both present and future generations.

The findings, announced on Tuesday by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), highlight the resilience of the marine ecosystem even amid the extreme summer temperatures that often pose a risk to coral health.

According to the NCW’s field surveys, no cases of severe coral bleaching or mass marine mortality were recorded during the study period — a remarkable outcome that demonstrates the effectiveness of Saudi Arabia’s comprehensive marine protection strategies.

These results underline the positive impact of environmental policies introduced under Saudi Vision 2030, which prioritize biodiversity conservation and sustainable management of natural resources.

The surveys, conducted across multiple sites along the Red Sea coastline, revealed stable coral ecosystems with healthy growth patterns and improved water quality. Researchers attributed this progress to a combination of strong conservation measures, technological innovation, and public awareness programs aimed at preserving marine life.

The NCW team, consisting of Saudi scientists and marine experts, employed advanced remote sensing technologies and specialized field instruments to monitor the Red Sea’s physical and chemical properties.

This scientific approach provided accurate real-time data on coral conditions, water temperature, and pollution levels, helping experts track environmental changes and assess ecosystem resilience.

The researchers also monitored human activities, including marine waste disposal and discarded fishing gear, which often pose serious threats to coral habitats.

By identifying and mitigating these impacts, the NCW aims to create a comprehensive knowledge base that supports smarter environmental planning, responsible tourism, and long-term marine ecosystem management.

The NCW’s statement emphasized that these findings reflect the Kingdom’s firm commitment to protecting marine biodiversity as part of its Red Sea sustainability initiative.

This initiative aligns with broader national efforts under Saudi Vision 2030, which seeks to balance development with ecological responsibility. The center highlighted that the results of this project not only benefit Saudi Arabia but also strengthen the country’s position as a regional and global leader in marine conservation.

“This achievement showcases how collaboration, research, and technology can work hand in hand to protect one of the world’s most unique marine environments,” the NCW said. “The Red Sea is a symbol of natural beauty and biodiversity, and safeguarding it is essential for the wellbeing of future generations.”

The study conducted this summer marks the second major survey by the NCW, following an initial round in April. Together, the surveys covered 64 locations along the Red Sea coastline, allowing scientists to compare seasonal variations and evaluate coral recovery trends.

The data indicated a consistent improvement in coral health across the surveyed sites, suggesting that protective measures and reduced environmental pressures are yielding positive, lasting results.

The Red Sea is home to a rich array of marine life — including whales, dolphins, hammerhead sharks, sea snakes, and colorful coral species — making it one of the most biologically diverse marine ecosystems in the world.

The NCW’s findings offer renewed hope for the protection of these species and the preservation of their habitats amid global climate challenges.

Adding to the optimism, the researchers noted that the massive Pavona coral colony — one of the largest and most visually striking coral formations in the Red Sea — is expected to become an environmentally friendly tourist attraction managed by Red Sea Global, further integrating conservation with sustainable tourism.

Experts believe that Saudi Arabia’s success story can serve as a model for other coastal nations seeking to balance economic growth with environmental stewardship.

The Kingdom’s proactive investment in marine science, public engagement, and ecological innovation continues to inspire new regional collaborations.

In conclusion, the improved health of the Red Sea’s coral reefs stands as a powerful testament to the Kingdom’s dedication to environmental excellence.

Through a combination of research-driven policy, advanced technology, and a deep respect for nature, Saudi Arabia is setting a global example in protecting its marine ecosystems — ensuring that the Red Sea remains a thriving, sustainable habitat for generations to come.