Alexander Kattan

King Abdullah University of Science and Technology | KAUST · Red Sea Research Center

In order to assess human impacts and develop rational restoration goals for corals reefs, baseline estimates of fish communities are required. In Saudi Arabian waters of the Red Sea, widespread unregulated fishing is thought to have been ongoing for decades, but there is little direct evidence of the impact on reef communities. To contextualize thi...

The coral reefs of the Red Sea are host to a diverse fish fauna. Ichthyofauna studies began in the Red Sea during expeditions undertaken by some of the earliest European naturalists. In the more than 200 years that have passed, much has been learned about Red Sea fishes. Nonetheless, many knowledge gaps remain. Although it is a relatively young sea...

Whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) are typically dispersed throughout their circumtropical range, but the species is also known to aggregate in specific coastal areas. Accurate site descriptions associated with these aggregations are essential for the conservation of R. typus, an Endangered species. Although aggregations have become valuable hubs for r...

Despite the large size and economic value of the species, populations of oceanic manta ray ( Mobula birostris ) are often poorly studied and almost completely undescribed in the Red Sea. Here, photo‐identification (photo‐ID) was used to provide the first description of M. birostris movement patterns and population demographics for the northern Red...

Marine vegetated habitats such as seagrass, mangroves, and macroalgae are common along tropical coastlines globally and provide habitats for a diversity of fishes, including juvenile fish and species found on coral reefs. Understanding the use of these habitats by different fish species and life stages is fundamental to spatial planning, fisheries...

Seagrass ecosystems are important carbon dioxide sinks that can sequester carbon for centuries as organic matter in sediment. They are also a major source of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, which limits their carbon sink capacity. However, data are lacking on their methane emission dynamics. Here, we conduct a one-year survey of carbon dioxide an...

Determined to advance toward a post-oil era, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is rapidly transforming its economy and social structures. The country is targeting new industries, investing in large-scale development projects, and opening its borders for tourism. Through these ambitious projects, the Kingdom envisions an economic and environmentally susta...

Timing and location of transient reef fish spawning aggregations are fundamental data required to effectively manage populations, particularly those exposed to commercial fisheries. The giant trevally ( Caranx ignobilis ) is a semipelagic apex predator of ecological, economic, and cultural significance across its Indo-Pacific range, yet information...

Al Wajh Bank in the northern Red Sea contains an extensive coral reef system that potentially supports a novel fish community. The large (1500km²) and shallow (< 40m depth) lagoon experiences greater temperature and salinity fluctuations, as well as higher turbidity, than most other Red Sea reefs. Since these conditions often influence coral commun...

Shark-cetacean aggregations and associations of false kill- er whales (Pseudorca crassidens) with other cetaceans have been reported previously (e.g., Heithaus 2001; Baird et al. 2008). However, this is the first description of non- aggressive associations of P. crassidens with non- cetaceans.