JAZAN — The Red Sea coastal Jazan Region plays a major role in providing food security to Saudi Arabia as it, annually, supplies more than 10,460 metric tons of fish, in particular, and seafood, in general.

The territorial waters of the Jazan Region covers over 250 km, from Shaqiq district to the north to Mausam to the south, in addition to a cluster of islands, mainly the Farasan archipelago.

Fish production in Jazan constitutes 35 percent of the whole Red Sea fisheries output, representing almost 20 percent of the Kingdom's total fish production. In fact, the output includes other seafood such as shrimps, crustaceans and mollusks, moss or alga, etc.

Fishery in Jazan is a robust industry employing about 6,000 fishermen. It takes advantage of the scale economies and enables the region to produce throughout the year.

In addition there’s abundance of appropriate and diversified environment for fish stock to flourish, such as the mangrove range of trees and sandy isles suitable for fish and other living aquatic organisms' reproduction, nutrition and incubation.

The region entertains a continental shelf with a width ranging from 35km to 70km. It is considered among the richest beaches for fisheries and maritime biodiversity. — SPA