| A ceremony was held to mark the kick-off of the International Conference on the Marine Environment of the Red Sea 2014 to be organised by the Faculty of Marine Sciences from 10-13 November 2014 at King Faisal Convention Centre.
Topics to be covered in the conference include marine ecology and biodiversity, marine conservation and coastal zone management, marine pollution and environmental impacts, marine chemistry and biochemistry, marine biotechnology and applications, marine geology and non-living resources, marine living resources and fisheries, in addition to oceanography and ocean dynamics.
The inaugural ceremony was attended by Prof Osama S. Tayyeb, KAU President, and a crowd of 130 local and international researchers.
In his speech, Prof Tayyeb stressed that the conference was triggered by the urgent need to address the challenges and environmental threats affecting the Red Sea's diverse eco-system.
According to Dr Ali M. Al-Aidaroos, the Faculty of Marine Sciences, the conference aims to provide a platform to explore the unexplored potentials, to share information across borders and to discuss the recent approaches related to the unique marine environment of the Red Sea.
He also added: "The Red Sea is well known for its unique environment and spectacular coral reefs. Yet much remains unknown that we need to understand if we are to manage its resources in the face of development and other impacts. Saudi Arabia occupies the largest portion of its coast and thus seems a fitting location for a meeting at which marine scientists can share information across borders and discuss their latest ideas."
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