Today's Edition
ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)
Young Emiratis are putting their diving skills to good use, transforming ordinary recreational trips to the sea into volunteer action through projects to restore marine life through coral farming. Suhail Al Saadi joined a coral farming team for this purpose, where he undertook a unique experience in environmental preservation.
Al Saadi joined the volunteer “Coral Life” team, led by founder Captain Saleh Al Dhahouri. The team receives support from “Emirates Draw”, and local authorities supervise the coral farming project in eastern areas of the country, namely in the seas near Khor Fakkan and Dibba.
Al Saadi reports learning about the science and knowledge need for coral farming technology, along with its importance in achieving environmental balance, laying the foundations of sustainability, and combating climate change.
Coral farming involves propagating corals by fragmenting them into small particles and attaching them to metal bases,at depths of up to 7 metres. After the fragments growth, they are transferred to specific locations in the sea, transforming them into a refuge and sanctuary for various marine creatures, Al Saadi explained.
In addition to coral farming, Al Saadi has collaborated with the team to establish a large informational network of divers and environmental organisations.
Al Saadi said that he plans to study marine sciences so he can spread information and raise awareness. He aims to train divers capable of achieving solving environmental problems in marine environments, and wishes to create content to educate the community on their environmental roles and responsibilities.
Besides his coral reef farming, Al Saadi also offers to conduct marine surveys as a service to environmental entities. He holds four diving licenses from specialised training centres, and said that he is continuing his journey to learn more professional diving techniques.
