RIYADH: The National Center for Environmental Compliance (NCEC), in collaboration with Marine Operations for Environmental Services (SAIL), has launched a drone-based initiative to monitor Saudi Arabia’s coastal areas and protect marine resources.
The drones provide real-time video feeds to support immediate analysis and detection of environmentally harmful activities. Each drone can fly for up to 55 minutes per sortie, covering a distance of 20 kilometers, with live data transmitted directly to control rooms.
Eng. Amer Bamoneef, General Director of the Monitoring Network at NCEC, said the initiative significantly boosts the center’s monitoring capabilities. “By leveraging advanced technology, we can expand coverage and detect harmful practices more efficiently,” he noted, adding that faster detection allows teams to promptly trace pollution sources and hold violators accountable.
The program is part of NCEC’s broader efforts to enhance environmental protection through innovative technologies.
