Today's Edition
Ehab Al Rifai (ABU DHABI)
The Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD)’s efforts to protect biodiversity in the emirate have led to a notable increase in the number of tourists visiting marine reserves in Abu Dhabi, as revealed by the statistics released by the Authority for the previous year. Among the visitors, 57% were tourists, 17 % were recreational fishermen, and 7% were commercial fishermen. The past year witnessed a substantial 36.6% surge in visitors compared to 2020.
EAD places special emphasis on the preservation, care, and cleaning of its reserves. In the past year, the agency took significant measures to remove debris and hazardous waste from the marine reserves, including old and neglected fishing equipment that posed a threat to marine life. According to statistics, 58 marine sites were cleaned, and 87,000 metres of nets, weighing a total of 38.56 tonnes, were successfully removed. The debris included fishing nets made of nylon, as well as various fishing hooks and fishing cages (Gargair). In total, over 482 marine sites were cleaned during the period 2020-2022.
EAD’s efforts have yielded positive results across various habitats and species. They have played a crucial role in achieving stability for significant organisms such as sea turtles, dugongs, and the Arabian oryx. The numbers of birds like flamingos and bustards have seen a noticeable increase. Additionally, these efforts have contributed to stabilising vital environments such as coral reefs and mangroves, while enhancing the country’s standing on the global environmental stage. Recent discoveries have confirmed the recording or sighting of species that had disappeared or had not been seen for over 20 years, including the desert cat, lynx, and other species. Moreover, new species are continually being discovered.
The marine reserves in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi harbour the world’s second-largest population of dugongs after Australia, boasting 2,762 dugongs in the Marawah Marine Biosphere Reserve. These marine reserves have been successful in providing a habitat for endangered green turtles and hawksbill sea turtles, underscoring the critical role of reserves in wildlife preservation.
Six marine reserves
EAD manages six marine reserves as part of the Sheikh Zayed Protected Areas Network, representing 13.90% of the total marine environment in the emirate. These reserves include Ras Ghanada Marine Reserve, Bul Syayeef Marine Reserve, Saadiyat Marine National Park, and Mangroves National Park.
The reserves encompass some of the most vital and diverse marine habitats in the emirate, boasting rich biological diversity in terms of both local species’ numbers and density. They also provide crucial habitats for species threatened with extinction at both local and global levels.
Abu Dhabi’s marine reserves include Saadiyat Marine National Park, known for its abundance of marine life, including endangered hawksbill sea turtles that use the island’s coast for nesting.
The Al Yasat Marine Reserve is characterised not only by its environmental but also its historical and cultural importance. Its islands are surrounded by coral reefs, serving as habitats for numerous marine organisms and ideal environments for fish reproduction and nursery. Mangroves National Park plays a vital role in absorbing and transforming carbon dioxide, one of the gases contributing to climate change. It is situated in the marine area adjacent to the Eastern Mangrove Corniche. Bu Sayayev Marine Reserve is an important site for migratory and resident birds, offering suitable habitats for greater flamingos and serving as a safe haven for various marine species inhabiting marine wetlands.
Marawah Reserve
The list of Abu Dhabi marine reserves also features the Marawah Marine Biosphere Reserve, considered as an exemplary model of the country’s marine and coastal environment. The reserve is abundant in biological diversity thanks to its marine and coastal ecosystems; it hosts the second-largest population of dugongs in the world. Ras Ghanada Marine Reserve features coral reef that holds significant economic and ecological value. It plays a crucial role in safeguarding the coastal area from hurricanes and serving as a vital tourist attraction.
