From destinations to stewardship in the UAE: Why marine biodiversity conservation anchors our vision for the future

When we first imagined Yas Island 15 years ago, our vision went beyond buildings, attractions, or entertainment. We dreamed of cultivating a vibrant community, an ecosystem where all forms of life could genuinely thrive, from the people who visit and live here, to the wildlife beneath the water’s surface.

Today, as we mark the International Day for Biological Diversity, I’m reminded that globally, the future of our oceans remains deeply uncertain. Marine biodiversity, essential to life on our planet, faces unprecedented threats, and our collective responsibility to protect it has never been clearer.

Ten years in this role have taught me much about ambition, purpose, and stewardship. Throughout this decade, I’ve continually returned to a fundamental question: What does it truly mean to create a world-class destination? Is it enough to build experiences that entertain, delight, and inspire? Or must we also actively protect and nurture the natural world that surrounds and sustains us?

I believe it’s both. If we’re serious about shaping the future, then we must embrace responsibility for preserving it.

This belief inspired us to create the Yas SeaWorld Research & Rescue Center (YSWRRC), a hub where science, community, and genuine care converge to protect the marine ecosystems that are so deeply tied to our identity here in the UAE.

YSWRRC goes far beyond being a facility or symbolic gesture. It represents our deepest values and our sincere promise to protect marine life. From the moment we first opened its doors, I’ve felt deeply moved by the extraordinary dedication of our people: marine biologists working tirelessly, veterinarians compassionately caring for injured wildlife, educators inspiring curiosity among young minds, divers courageously navigating uncertain waters, and volunteers selflessly dedicating their time, all driven by an unwavering love and respect for the ocean and its creatures.

Last year alone, the Centre rescued and rehabilitated over 500 marine animals, including sea turtles, flamingos, sea snakes, and even a Bryde’s whale. Each successfully rehabilitated animal was returned back into the wild, symbolising hope. Already in 2025, we have responded to 205 animals in need, underlining the critical importance of this work.

We often discuss conservation abstractly, but I’ve found that what truly moves people is tangible action. YSWRRC embodies that.

While coral bleaching is affecting more than 80% of the world’s reefs, marine habitats like seagrass beds are quietly vanishing. The Centre’s Marine Ecology Research Programme is taking direct steps to restore crucial ecosystems like seagrass meadows, quiet heroes of biodiversity, coastal protection, fisheries sustainability and natural carbon capture.

Recognising the critical value as well as the urgent threat to these habitats, we recently hosted the first-ever Arabian Regional Scientific Seagrass Workshop, partnering with the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species, and AD Ports Group. Bringing together scientists and policy leaders, this was exactly the type of collaborative leadership the region needs to address our shared marine challenges and to take its rightful place at the forefront of global marine conservation efforts

If you visit the Centre on any school day, you’ll witness firsthand the transformative power of education. Over 1,000 students participated in our programmes since opening, experiencing hands-on marine biology lessons and rescue simulations. Moments like these are seeds planted for future stewardship as we continue to empower local youth to become the scientists and conservationists of tomorrow.

The same spirit was evident during our last community beach clean-up, when 256 volunteers removed nearly a tonne of waste in just one hour. It wasn’t about publicity, it was about collective pride and action.

None of this happens in isolation! Collaboration is fundamental. Our partnerships with the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi, the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, Convention for Migratory Species (CMS), leading educational bodies such as ADEK and most universities across the UAE, and strategic partners like AD Ports Group, allow us to amplify our impact.

These relationships and innovative initiatives naturally support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 14: Life Below Water. This global goal represents humanity’s commitment to conserve and sustainably manage the oceans, seas, and marine resources. YSWRRC was founded specifically with this mission in mind, embedding it into every programme, initiative, and action we undertake.

Through marine research, wildlife rescue, public education, and strategic partnerships, we ensure our work aligns not just with local priorities, but also with international standards and global environmental objectives.

I’ve learned that legacy isn’t something you simply leave behind, it’s something you actively set in motion.

YSWRRC stands for this belief. It’s not a side project; it’s an integral part of how we see the future of Yas Island, a future that integrates entertainment, education, and environmental stewardship in powerful, meaningful ways.

We will continue expanding the Centre’s impact through science talks, rescue workshops, international partnerships, and community engagement. True leadership means making decisions today that future generations will thank us for, even if they never know our names.

Ultimately, the destinations that last are the ones that protect what is unseen and irreplaceable. At Miral, we’ve made our choice clear: our commitment to marine biodiversity isn’t just a priority, it’s foundational to our vision for the future.

Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi is Group CEO, Miral