Today's Edition
HALA AL KHAYYAT (ABU DHABI)
The advanced marine research vessel Jaywun has conducted four marine life studies in its first year of operation, successfully monitoring the atmosphere over eight major water areas, covering 30,000 kilometres during 4,000 operational hours and collecting 2,900 samples.
The vessel, developed by the Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD), specialises in essential marine and deep-water environmental surveys, resource assessment of fisheries, coral reef and seagrass habitat surveys, as well as studying the quality of seawater and sediments, and marine life surveys.
The vessel's construction was carried out under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in Al Dhafra Region and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the EAD.
In line with the vision and aspirations of the UAE to enhance research initiatives based on knowledge and innovation, the 50-metre multipurpose ship is used to preserve marine environments and fisheries, providing green technologies for specialised research in the Arabian Gulf, which is considered the world's warmest sea and “a natural laboratory” for climate change research.
In an unprecedented scientific expedition on Jaywun, the EAD led a team of researchers across eight seas and oceans, covering more than 10,000 kilometres and 25 countries, from the port of Vigo in Spain to Abu Dhabi. The voyage, which lasted from December 2022 to January 2023, aimed to study the atmospheric conditions and climate change impacts on the world's oceans.
The ship successfully monitored the atmosphere over eight major water areas in Europe, Africa, and Asia - the Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea, the Gulf of Suez, the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, the Arabian Sea, the Sea of Oman, and the Arabian Gulf.
The research team, made up of scientists from the EAD, along with scientists from the Cyprus Institute's Climate and Atmospheric Research Centre, and the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry in Germany, studied the pathways of pollution transfer from the Arabian Gulf to other regions, assessing its contribution to ozone formation in the United Arab Emirates and carried out an extensive analysis of how the maritime transport system affects the emission and conversion of hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides in the oceans.
In September 2023, Jaywun conducted the first-ever comprehensive acoustic survey of the UAE’s fishery resources. The two-week expedition spanned the Arabian Gulf and the Sea of Oman, using sound waves to measure the quantity and distribution of fish in the oceans. The survey also explored the underwater ecosystems and marine life diversity.
During this mission, the research team, in partnership with G42 and OceanX, achieved another breakthrough by establishing the first environmental DNA baseline and sequencing the genomes of fish species in the UAE’s waters. This enhanced the knowledge of genetic variation and the development of better conservation and management practices for the future.
Also during last year, Jaywun completed a thorough assessment of fisheries in the country’s waters, aiming to provide updated information on the status and trends of fish stocks and marine resources. The assessment supported the implementation of sustainable, developmental, and recovery plans for fisheries.
Additionally, the research vessel finished its first biological and physical oceanographic survey south of the Arabian Gulf in collaboration with New York University Abu Dhabi. The vessel was awarded the Future Readiness Mark by the Government Development and Future Office to design and implement specific outstanding research projects that improve the UAE’s preparedness for the future.
For its research achievements, the vessel received the Future Fit Seal award from the Government Development and Future Office to design and implement specific and practical exceptional projects that enhance the country's readiness for the future.
