End of the 2025-2026 fishing season in Saudi Arabia: details of the success and decisions
The National Center for Wildlife Development officially announced the end of the hunting season in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the current season 2025-2026, at the end of January 31, 2026 AD, corresponding to Shaban 12, 1447 AH, bringing to a close a season distinguished by the application of the highest standards of environmental sustainability and precise regulation.
Organizational success and global standards
The current hunting season, which began in early September of last year, has witnessed remarkable success, reflecting the significant progress in environmental regulation mechanisms in the Kingdom. This season relied primarily on updating regulations to ensure the sustainable use of natural resources, in accordance with the executive regulations of the Environmental Law. This regulation was not arbitrary, but rather the result of fruitful cooperation with hunting experts, based on rigorous scientific research and statistical data, and in consideration of the best international practices in this field.
The context of environmental transformation in the Kingdom
This announcement comes within the context of a strategic shift in Saudi Arabia towards environmental protection and biodiversity enhancement, in line with the goals of Vision 2030 and the Saudi Green Initiative. After decades of unregulated hunting that threatened many native species, the Kingdom has moved towards “sustainable hunting,” which balances traditional practices with maintaining ecological balance. The Kingdom is a vital strategic transit point for migratory birds between three continents (Asia, Africa, and Europe), further emphasizing the importance of these precise regulations for protecting global migration routes.
International acclaim and pioneering awards
Commenting on the season's conclusion, Dr. Mohammed Ali Qurban, CEO of the National Center for Wildlife Development, stated, “The 2025-2026 hunting season was a continuation of the successful experience of regulating hunting in the Kingdom, and its positive impact on maintaining ecological balance and the sustainability of natural resources.” Dr. Qurban emphasized that the integrated, scientifically based approach to wildlife management was the cornerstone of this success.
These efforts have garnered widespread international recognition, culminating in the Kingdom – represented by the Center – receiving the Leadership Award for Migratory Species. This honor recognizes the Kingdom's pivotal role in combating illegal hunting and the illicit trade in wildlife, particularly its outstanding efforts in bird conservation in the Southwest Asia region.
Environmental awareness and the future of sustainability
Dr. Qurban noted that developing a continuous-assessment-based approach to fishing has directly contributed to raising environmental awareness among fishermen and establishing the concept of regulated fishing as a tool that supports, rather than threatens, ecosystems. This increased commitment by fishermen to regulations reflects a growing societal maturity regarding environmental issues, thus enhancing the Kingdom's regional and international standing as a model for balancing human activities with nature conservation.
