Cement works
Beach visitors
Rising temperatures
Marine hazards
Beach erosion
Protecting Ras Baridi's sea turtle haven
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Saudi Arabia
Beach visitors
Turtle nests are buried under sand, which becomes compacted when people walk over it. This can suffocate the eggs and trap the hatchlings. Cars driving over the beach can also crush them. New signs and fences in Ras Baridi can raise awareness and stop cars from entering.
Marine hazards
Plastic debris, chemical pollution and fishing nets are all man-made hazards killing turtles worldwide. More can be done to reduce these hazards, but it starts with more people caring about turtle conservation. It’s hoped that scientists will be able to lead education tours in Ras Baridi to inspire change.
Beach erosion
Ras Baridi is experiencing beach erosion, which is reducing the number of nesting sites and impacting nesting conditions. For example, the reduction of sand depth can lead to nests flooding. Researchers are investigating the different causes of this and looking for ways to protect beaches from further erosion.
Cement works
Cement dust blown across the beach can contribute to sand becoming compacted, which makes nesting harder for sea turtles. The Yanbu Cement Company has recently installed dust suppression technologies to reduce the problem and is actively partnering with the initiative to explore additional ways to help protect the species.
Rising temperatures
Rising temperatures around the world due to global warming are causing more female than male turtles to be born, pushing the species further towards extinction. Global initiatives to reverse the effects of climate change will help to redress this imbalance but more research in the area is needed too.
Red Sea
