Blue holes of the Red Sea

Using advanced diving techniques and technologies, scientists are unraveling the mysteries of these unique ecosystems

While Saudi Arabia is known for its desert landscapes, recent strides in marine research and exploration could see scientists and tourists alike flocking to the Kingdom’s bluer regions.

In just the first year of a decadelong expedition led by Saudi Arabia’s National Center for Wildlife, 20 underwater sinkholes, known as “blue holes,” were discovered along the Kingdom’s southern Red Sea coast.

Blue holes, named for their vibrant color, are havens for a diverse array of marine life, attracting researchers eager to study their remarkable biodiversity.

“The blue holes’ discovery in Saudi Arabia was a result of the groundbreaking exploration effort in collaboration with the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology during the Red Sea Decade Expedition,” Mohammad Qurban, CEO of NCW, told Arab News.

“Exploring the Wonders of the Red Sea: A Decade Expedition” is an unprecedented scientific research effort launched last year by the NCW in partnership with OceanX and KAUST. Researchers are using advanced diving techniques and remote sensing technologies to examine the geology, hydrology, biology and chemistry of the blue holes to unravel the mysteries of these unique ecosystems.

“Scientific diving allows for direct observation and sample collection, while technology enables the mapping and study of blue holes’ deeper and more inaccessible parts,” Carlos Duarte, the expedition’s chief scientist and a distinguished professor of marine science at KAUST, told Arab News. Duarte said blue holes are worthy of conservation because of the many marine species that depend on them.

“We observed marine mammals seeking refuge inside these blue holes, which they seem to be using as a nursery, with their newborns protected in their interior,” he said. What makes blue holes so fascinating, however, is their extreme depth, often falling beyond the reach of even the most advanced underwater exploration methods. At those depths, some of the hardiest and least understood organisms flourish.

“At depth, they are deprived of oxygen, presenting unique biological communities that deserve further attention,” Duarte said. “They are even mysterious for local fishermen, who do not venture inside this reef labyrinth, and their true nature can only be gathered from the air at low altitude, so even satellites cannot really accurately portray their nature.”

Qurban said the NCW is implementing a dedicated conservation effort to protect the blue holes. “These efforts include establishing marine protected areas, regulating diving and fishing activities, and conducting scientific research to understand the ecological significance of blue holes better,” he said.

As for the future of marine exploration, Duarte said the latest blue hole discoveries are just the tip of the iceberg.

“They have been at an ‘arm’s length’ from us for millennia,” he said. “Only now we were able to explore them.”