Today's Edition
Ihab Al-Rifai (Al Dhafra)
The Environment Authority - Abu Dhabi (EAD) is implementing experimental projects for fish farming to support research in marine aquaculture and study the impact of environmental variables on farmed fish. The project includes 26 marine cages for fish farming, six of which are dispersed across three locations on Dalma Island, and 20 of which are located in the city of Al Sulal.
In statements to Aletihad, the Authority confirmed that the Dalma Island project is still under construction and, once completed, will be capable of producing 100 tonnes of local fish such as Hamour, Shaari, Qabit, and Safi, per year.
The project aims to promote sustainable aquaculture through the farming of economically important local species that are overfished, according to fish stock assessment studies conducted by the Authority. In the Dalma Island project, the Authority has completed the hydrodynamic modeling project to support and develop the marine cage aquaculture sector in Abu Dhabi.
Three sites west and southeast of Dalma Island were studied to determine the carrying capacity of each location and to know how many tonnes of fish can be sustainably raised in marine cages. The findings of the feasibility studies showed that these sites are suitable for fish farming.
The Authority began work on the project’s Dalma Island sites in 2022. In Al Sulal, located in the Al Dhafra region, the Authority also launched a project to identify suitable sites for aquaculture projects, in line with Abu Dhabi’s policy for sustainable aquaculture. Last year, data collection was completed, stakeholders were involved, environmental and technical criteria were set for site selection, and appropriate aquaculture sites within Al Sulal’s waters were identified.
The Authority set four main goals to be achieved this year for the project, which include developing a hydrodynamic model to determine the carrying capacity of the selected site, choosing the best location for aquaculture development, mapping the habitats of the specified site, and conducting a financial and operational feasibility study.
