Petra News Agency_Aqaba
His Majesty
King Abdullah II, within his tour to the south, visited the Marine Science
Station in Aqaba, an integrated research center concerned with marine sciences
research and the coastal environment.
His Majesty
the King reviewed the Marine aquarium in the station, which is a tourist
destination for visitors to the city of Aqaba, and has a role in spreading
marine environmental awareness, as well as the quality of sea water sediment
and coral and biotechnology laboratories.
During the
visit, His Majesty the King listened to a briefing from the station's director,
Dr. Ali Al-Sawalmeh, on the station's role in implementing the Jordanian coast
monitoring programs, to measure the quality of water and sediments on a monthly
basis, and to ensure the safety of marine life of fish and corals, in
cooperation with the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority.
Al-Sawalmeh
highlighted the importance of marine biodiversity, especially the coral reefs
that characterize the Gulf of Aqaba, in supporting the national economy, by
attracting tourists and visitors. He pointed out that the sustainability of
marine life and the preservation and cultivation of coral is one of the
research priorities of the Marine Science Station, due to its great importance
in sustaining the marine ecosystem.
It is
noteworthy that the Marine Science Station, which was established in the
mid-seventies, is built on an area of 30 acres, and it has a waterfront area
of 400 meters. It is owned by the Jordanian and Yarmouk universities, and
works to establish partnerships with international research institutions.
The station
includes laboratories for sea water quality and sediments, marine physics,
coral, biotechnology, fish farming unit, laboratories and educational halls
that are visited by students of the Faculty of Marine Sciences at the
University of Jordan / Aqaba branch, in addition to the boats and diving units.
His Majesty
was accompanied by the President of the Royal Hashemite Court, the Adviser of
His Majesty for Communication and Coordination, and the Adviser of His Majesty for
Policies and Information, and President of the University of Jordan - Aqaba
Branch.
