National Programme to Restore Endangered Freshwater Fish

The National Center for Wildlife launched the Kingdom’s first national programme to breed and reintroduce endangered freshwater fish, developed in cooperation with King Abdullah University of Science and Technology. The programme is structured to return native freshwater species to their natural habitats through breeding and reintroduction activities at a national scale.

The National Center for Wildlife said the programme aims to protect rare species unique to Saudi valleys and to enhance the sustainability of their populations in natural habitats. Its scope covers endangered freshwater fish native to Saudi Arabia’s valleys, with actions centred on breeding and planned releases in suitable environments. By formally organising work on endangered freshwater fish at the national level, the programme is intended to address species that are limited to local valley systems and require targeted measures to stabilise their numbers.

The launch was carried out in cooperation with King Abdullah University of Science and Technology. Under this cooperation, the National Center for Wildlife is establishing a unified framework for the breeding and reintroduction of endangered freshwater fish, with the stated focus on native species occurring in Saudi valleys and their long-term presence in natural habitats.