B’dour Abu Bader: The Mermaid of Aqaba Who’s Protecting Jordan’s Seas

B’dour Abu Bader: The Mermaid of Aqaba Who’s Protecting Jordan’s Seas

From a young age, B’dour Abu Bader's snorkeling adventures along Jordan's brief stretch of the Red Sea ignited a passionate love for the ocean. With a fervent desire to protect the seas, she expresses, "I feel like I belong to the ocean more than the land." Sometimes, she feels like a mermaid, her face lighting up with a sparkling smile as she recalls this connection.

Aqaba, the vibrant port city in southern Jordan, boasts a terracotta-colored sandy coastline stretching along the Red Sea. This is where B’dour grew up and formed her deep bond with the waters. Every weekend, she and her family would hit the beach. Her love for the sea began at the tender age of five when she learned to swim and dive. "It's like a friendship with the waves... I had my first experiences of connecting with the ocean," she reminisces.

Protecting Marine Ecosystems

The Aqaba Marine Reserve is home to rare species like the dugong and four types of sea turtles, alongside hundreds of coral species and fish. In 2022, B’dour joined the marine ranger team at the Aqaba Reserve, working alongside scientists and educators to protect one of the world’s most unique coral systems. Starting in 2026, visitors on the Explore Jordan tour will have the chance to meet B’dour and hear her inspiring story about her conservation efforts along the Aqaba coastline.

Located at the tip of the Gulf of Aqaba, the reserve is separated by narrow straits, forming a natural paradise. Scientific research shows that the corals in the Gulf of Aqaba have adapted over millennia to withstand rising sea temperatures. This not only represents a national treasure for Jordan but also serves as a living model for the future of our oceans.

Coral Conservation

B’dour emphasizes the critical importance of protecting coral reefs. "They are a living genetic library, preserving the diversity of corals that could potentially be lost," she explains. "This protection is key to the sustainable recovery of reefs. One day, it may help restore damaged reefs globally."

The United Nations warns that coral reefs, among the planet’s most fragile ecosystems, are disappearing faster than we can save them. The most recent global coral bleaching event was confirmed in April 2024, deemed the largest and most severe on record.

The Impact of Climate Change

Since childhood, B’dour has been acutely aware of environmental issues, particularly how climate change affects the oceans. "When I realized how fragile the sea is, I felt anxious," she shares. "You love something so much, then learn it could disappear. From that moment, I wanted to protect it."

B’dour decided to pursue her dream of becoming a marine ranger and was surprised to discover she was the first woman to hold this role in Aqaba. "It really is quite unusual, but we’ve adapted very well," she notes, highlighting the support from the community.

Inspiring the Next Generation

B’dour often meets with young girls at the beach, sharing her story. "I tell them that if you believe in what you love, you will achieve it, maybe not right now, but you will." On her first day of work, she knew that being a marine ranger was her destiny.

"My job isn’t just about clocking in and out," she excitedly shares. "I am happy with what I do every day." Most of her time is spent along the shoreline, welcoming visitors and educating them about the importance of protecting marine ecosystems.

The Value of the Sea

While guiding tours or participating in beach clean-up activities, she and her team monitor the condition of the coral and ensure that visitors respect conservation efforts. B’dour encourages small actions, like avoiding single-use plastics and choosing reef-safe sunscreen. "Everything underwater is alive," she emphasizes. "Leave everything as you found it."

Through her work and profound love for the ocean, B’dour aims to convey that protecting the seas is not just the responsibility of a few, but of humanity as a whole. She hopes that every visitor leaves with a deeper connection to the ocean and a renewed awareness of their environmental responsibilities.