A global biodiversity hotspot facing climate and human pressures
The Red Sea, one of the world's most saline and warm bodies of water, contains extraordinary marine biodiversity including over 1,000 fish species, 200 hard coral species, spinner dolphins, dugongs, sea turtles, and whale sharks. Its relative isolation created high endemism — over 20% of species found nowhere else. Despite this uniqueness, rapid coastal development, overfishing, and climate change threaten this irreplaceable ecosystem.
Tourist dolphin-watching boats in Egypt and Jordan often approach spinner dolphins too closely, disrupting critical rest periods. Dolphins use shallow bays to sleep during the day — boat intrusion causes chronic sleep disruption, stress, and abandonment of resting sites. Ras Mohammed National Park has implemented dolphin protection zones.
Red Sea corals show unusual thermal tolerance due to adaptation to naturally warm, variable conditions. However, unprecedented warming during 2023-2025 caused widespread bleaching even in these resilient reefs. Saudi Arabia's NEOM megaproject and coastal development projects threaten critical reef and seagrass habitat.
Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Israel maintain various marine protected areas including Ras Mohammed, the Gulf of Aqaba Protected Area, and Farasan Islands. The Regional Organisation for the Conservation of the Environment of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden (PERSGA) coordinates regional efforts. Sustainable dive tourism provides economic incentives for conservation.