27-06-2025
Saudi Arabia deploys drones to monitor coastlines, protect marine resources
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's National Center for Environmental Compliance (NCEC), has launched a drone-based program to monitor Kingdom's 2,480-kilometers long coastal areas, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
The NCEC will carry out the initiative in cooperation with the Marine Operations for Environmental Services (SAIL).
Drones will provide live video feeds for real-time analysis, helping detect activities that threaten marine resources.
Saudi Arabia Red Sea coastline in the west extends from the Gulf of Aqaba in the north to Jazan province in the south, measuring 1,830 km.
In the west, the coastline is 630 km long, stretching from the northern border with Kuwait to the southern border with Qatar.
Amer Bamoneef, director-general for monitoring network at NCEC, said each drone will operate for up to 55 minutes per sortie, covering 20 kilometers, with data instantly transmitted to control rooms.
'By leveraging advanced technology, we can expand coverage and detect harmful practices more efficiently," he said.
Bamoneef added that drones enable quicker response, allowing teams to promptly investigate pollution sources and identify those responsible.
