Today's Edition
The Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD) has installed 350,000 coral reef colonies in the emirate’s waters. This is part of a comprehensive programme aimed at cultivating over a million coral colonies and expanding their area in the emirate. In this project, one of the largest in the region, coral nurseries have been established to foster reef growth and facilitate the installation of coral colonies.
Corals placed in nurseries require a period of 12 to 20 months to reach the right sizes for transport and cultivation. EAD teams monitor the coral nurseries, conduct regular maintenance and surveys to track coral growth and document the condition and health of the reef.
EAD said the project is dedicated to rehabilitating damaged coral reef areas within Abu Dhabi. For this purpose, special teams conducted field surveys to identify the most suitable.
Coral nurseries will be developed through the implementation of a farming programme, which is expected to mitigate stress on these reefs from climate change and rising sea temperatures.
The major challenge coral reefs face is the rise in water temperature, intensifying thermal stress on these delicate ecosystems and leading to the phenomenon of “coral bleaching.” In 2017, Abu Dhabi lost over 73% of its coral reefs due to coral bleaching. This wasn’t limited to the emirate; globally, a significant portion of coral reefs suffered, notably the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, which lost more than 50% of its coral reef area.
Surveys conducted by EAD indicate a 10% to 18% improvement in the condition of coral reefs in the emirate’s waters over the last two years. These results underscore the potential for coral reef recovery provided they are not subject to the threats of climate change.
Coral reefs hold immense ecological importance as one of the most vital and productive marine habitats. They foster biodiversity in Abu Dhabi and serve as natural habitats for various fish species and marine organisms. They also play a crucial role in preventing beach erosion, supporting commercial fishing, numerous recreational and tourist activities in the emirate, and helping in the nurturing of fish stocks.
Despite the challenging environmental conditions prevailing in the Arabian Gulf region and globally, coral reefs exhibit remarkable resilience and provide habitats for a diverse array of marine species. Their exceptional adaptability to the world’s highest temperatures sets them apart from other coral reef types worldwide.
Recently, EAD introduced a new endangered species of coral reefs in the country, known as Acropora. This introduction was part of a broader project aimed at cultivating over one million coral reef colonies in Abu Dhabi.
The Emirate hosts 34 different types of hard coral distributed across various areas, including Ras Ghanada, Bu Tinah, Saadiyat, and Al Nouf.
