His Excellency the Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture, Eng. Abdulrahman bin Abdulmohsen Al-Fadley, reviewed a number of projects and programs of the National Aquaculture Group (Naqua), commending the Group’s ongoing efforts to develop the aquaculture sector in the Kingdom through the adoption of advanced technologies and modern scientific practices. These efforts contribute to improving production efficiency and strengthening the sector’s role in supporting the national economy, in alignment with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.
This came during His Excellency’s visit to Naqua’s headquarters in Al-Lith Governorate, as part of his tour of the Makkah Region to inspect projects implemented and supervised by entities within the Environment, Water and Agriculture ecosystem, accompanied by several senior officials and leaders.
At the beginning of the visit, His Excellency reviewed the project connecting Naqua’s facilities to the national electricity grid under the Liquid Fuel Displacement Program, which aims to enhance environmental sustainability by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving energy efficiency. He also inspected water desalination projects implemented by the National Water Company, which contribute to reducing operational costs and providing reliable water sources to ensure business continuity and enhance production efficiency.
During his inspection tour, His Excellency visited the offshore floating cage fish farming project and observed the fish harvesting process to assess current practices and review the latest technologies used in this field. He noted the significant progress achieved in applying advanced scientific methods. The tour also included discussions on preparations for the upcoming aquaculture season, including the preparation and drying of water canals and rearing ponds, reflecting Naqua’s commitment to providing optimal conditions for shrimp farming and enhancing productivity and product quality.
His Excellency also reviewed the outcomes of the strategic partnership between Naqua and Umm Al-Qura University, which aims to strengthen academic and technical collaboration in the aquaculture sector through a specialized training program for university students. The program includes field workshops and hands-on training courses, contributing to the development of qualified national talent to support the growth of this vital sector.
For its part, Naqua expressed its appreciation for His Excellency’s interest and support for initiatives aimed at developing and sustaining the aquaculture sector, thereby enhancing national food security. The Group emphasized that the visit serves as a strong incentive to continue operating in accordance with the highest environmental and technical standards, while strengthening strategic partnerships that support sustainability and food security goals in line with Saudi Vision 2030.
The National Aquaculture Group continues to integrate advanced technological solutions and improve operational management practices to enhance sector efficiency, with a strong focus on the sustainability of water resources. These efforts contribute to national economic development, food security, and the achievement of the Kingdom’s strategic objectives.
