Saudi Arabia’s NEOM, a $500bn-worth futuristic development, and King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) have joined forces to develop the biggest coral garden in the world in Shushah Island in NEOM, covering an area spanning 40.5ha.
Once developed, the island will become a world centre to showcase innovations and efforts to protect and renovate coral reefs and speed up solutions to maintain them amid climate change.
The coral garden is planned to be complete in 2025. The project is a centrepiece of NEOM’s vision for developing “in harmony with nature” and accelerating the transition to a more sustainable relationship between people and planet.
Talking about the project, Dr Tony Chan, President of KAUST stressed that the university has pioneered research to understand Red Sea’s environment. The project with NEOM has been considered as one of the biggest deals of transferring technology in the history of KAUST.
https://98198aa3e3ed745b3088c8a1ea77f490.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html NEOM and KAUST will build the coral reefscape around Shushah Island in the Red Sea, which is home to over 300 native coral and 1,000 fish species.
Once complete, the coral reefscape will provide a research and development (R&D) opportunity for coral preservation and attract international scientists, researchers and eco-conscious travelers.
Additionally, the new coral nurseries will also be the world’s first and largest repository for Red Sea species. NEOM will utilise KAUST’s Maritechture Technologies developed by scientists at the university’s Red Sea Research Centre and Coastal and Marine Resources Core Lab.
The technology will be used in on-shore coral nurseries and then employed to populate the coral gardens surrounding the island. This innovative technology addresses the most challenging aspects of marine restoration and is set to benefit the region for generations to come.
According to NEOM, the project will enable it to be a ‘bold landmark’ of regenerative tourism.
Explaining the importance of the project, Nadhmi Al-Nasr, CEO of NEOM, said: “One of our missions at NEOM is to reinvent conservation for the good of the natural world and for future generations to enjoy. Our coral reef collaboration with KAUST is a vivid example of how we are doing that.
Through our innovative technologies and combined expertise, we are expanding the scientific world’s understanding of how corals adapt to climate change whilst protecting the beautiful coral reefs that are indigenous to the Red Sea and so fundamental to the biodiversity of our oceans and the success of NEOM.”
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