Red Sea Global partners with the National Livestock and Fisheries Development Program to support the Kingdom’s fishing industry

Agreement strengthens efforts to create the largest Marine Protected Area in the Red Sea.

Riyadh, 04 December 2023: Red Sea Global (RSG), the multi-project developer behind the world’s most ambitious regenerative tourism destinations, The Red Sea and Amaala, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Livestock and Fisheries Development Program (NLFDP) to collaborate on ensuring environmentally and economically sustainable fishing practices in the Kingdom.

The MoU was signed at the Saudi Green Initiative Forum alongside COP28. The agreement sees both partners working together to ensure fishing in the Kingdom is sustainable, both for marine life and for the fishermen who make their living through fishing, specifically around The Red Sea and Amaala destinations.

RSG and NLFDP agreed to work together to identify areas within The Red Sea and Amaala where sustainable fishing can take place. They will also collaborate to determine environmentally appropriate fishing methods. This includes establishing requirements and standards for sustainable fishing.

At the same time, RSG and NLFDP will provide local fishermen with training to encourage sustainable fishing practices, as well as offering support so they can better market their catch, including to hotels at RSG’s destinations. Other areas for collaboration include the provision of modern refrigerated transport trucks, boats and fishing equipment. They will also look to establish a special association to revive and protect ancient sustainable fishing techniques.

The agreement also supports RSG’s efforts with the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture to create the largest Marine Protected Area (MPA) in the Red Sea. The developer has already completed baseline studies of biodiversity, and social, economic and cultural characteristics of the communities surrounding its destinations ahead of creating the MPA. As well as this, the partnership supports NLFDP’s drive to encourage more Saudis to enter the fishing industry, as part of its role in achieving Vision 2030. 

Dr Ali bin Mohammed Al Shaikhi, CEO of NLFDP, said: "NLFDP aims to upgrade the fisheries sector and develop work in sustainable ways, and this MoU is the first step to activate the partnership between us and RSG to empower the local community and enhance the sector's contribution to the national economy."

The Red Sea recently welcomed its first guests. Two of its hotels are open for bookings and the Red Sea International Airport has been receiving a regular schedule of flights since September. Amaala remains on track to welcome first guests in 2025, when the first resorts complete as part of Triple Bay phase one, along with the marine life institute and the iconic Yacht Club.