Yanbu' Refinery Employees Preserve Mangroves

YANBU', November 18, 2009 -- Employees of Yanbu‘ Refinery are demonstrating their commitment to the environment as evidenced by the lush mangrove vegetation flourishing around the plant.

In the Royal Commission of Yanbu‘ area, mangroves stretch along the seacoast covering about 3,600 square meters, with the majority growing in the refinery area. Employees carefully monitor all activities that could affect the coastline and ensure that any discharge complies with marine regulations.

“Yanbu‘ Refinery really takes care of the environment, and we’re preserving the mangroves,” said Yanbu‘ Refinery manager Salahaddin H. Dardeer. “Preserving the mangroves reflects our commitment and adherence to the Environmental Protection policy of conducting our daily operations without creating undue risks to the environment.”

Yanbu‘ Refinery environmental coordinator Rabea A. Faloudah said, “We closely monitor all shipping, loading and offloading activities to ensure no contamination takes place that would affect the marine life.

Faloudah said there are two species of mangrove native to Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coastline. Al-Qandel (Rhizophora Mucronat) grows south of Jiddah along the Jizzan, and Al-Qarm (Avicennia Marina) is found at Yanbu‘ and to the north near Duba.

The environmental coordinator noted there are several benefits to preserving mangrove areas, including protecting nesting areas for waterfowl and other marine life, providing a natural shield against wind and wave action, and serving as a natural filtration system for run-off water that removes sediments and debris before it goes into the sea.

“We are very proud of our healthy mangroves,” Faloudah said. “They are an indicator of a healthy marine environment.”