Jeddah: The 1st International Symposium for the Conservation of Sea Turtles in the Red Sea kicked off in Jeddah on Sunday, encompassing discussions on innovative strategies and solutions to preserve biodiversity. The symposium, spanning four days, is centered around the theme ‘Navigating the Future: Advancing Sea Turtle Conservation in the Red Sea through Science, Collaboration, and Innovation.’

According to Saudi Press Agency, during its first day, the event brought together experts, specialists, and researchers for discussions on the key challenges facing the protection of marine turtles in the Red Sea, as well as coral reef protection and enhancement of community involvement in conserving biological resources.

In his opening speech, CEO of the General Organization for the Conservation of Coral Reefs and Turtles in the Red Sea Khalid Al-Asfhani stated that the symposium represents a significant turning point in the joint efforts to protect marine turtles. He added that the event also serves as a platform
for idea and information sharing and collaboration to develop effective strategies for marine environment conservation.

The General Organization for the Conservation of Coral Reefs and Turtles in the Red Sea (SHAMS) is organizing the symposium from November 3 to 6 to discuss the status of Red Sea turtles and the latest challenges facing them, as well as to address environmental issues.

To achieve this, the symposium engages more than 30 speakers and hosts 10 scientific sessions, 20 presentations, and interactive workshops for sharing experiences and information among participants.