Red sea: Coinciding with World Environment Day, observed annually on June 5, the Red Sea continues to stand out as one of the world's most sensitive and valuable marine environments. It is not only a promising tourism destination but also a natural asset whose development must begin with protection rather than exploitation.

According to Saudi Press Agency, stretching along more than 1,800 kilometers of Saudi coastline and covering an estimated 186,000 square kilometers, the Red Sea hosts the world's fourth-largest coral reef system and contains around 6.2% of global coral reefs. This makes any coastal or maritime activity subject to direct environmental responsibility.

The significance of the Saudi Red Sea Authority's (SRSA) initiative lies in the development of the first mechanism to verify marine environmental protection at sites hosting marine tourism activities, in cooperation with relevant entities. The mechanism transforms sustainability from a general concept into a measurable practice and embeds environmental compliance into the sector's structure from the outset rather than as a corrective measure.

This approach aligns with the National Red Sea Sustainability Strategy, which aims to increase protected marine and coastal areas from 3% to 30% by 2030 through 48 initiatives and five strategic objectives. The strategy seeks to make the Red Sea a Saudi model for a blue economy that views ocean protection not as a constraint on development, but as its foundation.