Abu Dhabi's marine ecosystem thrives with coral, dugong, and turtle

Abu Dhabi: The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) has announced a major success in the Government of Abu Dhabi’s efforts to rehabilitate blue carbon ecosystems such as mangrove forests and seagrass meadows and to launch a global initiative to restore coral reefs by planting four million coral colonies by 2030.

EAD highlighted the government’s achievements in conserving marine biodiversity by deploying pioneering technologies, including environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis and artificial intelligence (AI), to monitor biodiversity. These efforts have led to the protection of the world’s second-largest population of dugongs around 3,500 individuals as well as the monitoring of more than 7,900 sea turtles. The use of eDNA and AI has proven instrumental in tracking marine species. The agency also reported a dramatic increase in the sustainable fishing index, rising from 8.9 per cent in 2018 to 97.4 per cent by the end of 2024, demonstrating the effectiveness of data-driven environmental management.

Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary General of the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, inaugurated the UAE National Exhibition at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. The exhibition showcased key national initiatives aimed at achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), during which EAD presented an advanced model for marine habitat rehabilitation and climate innovation through the “Mangrove Alliance for Climate,” alongside preparations to host the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Congress in October 2025.

EAD also showcased Abu Dhabi’s leadership in marine conservation and environmental sustainability on the international stage as part of the UAE delegation participating in the UN High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, held from July 14 to 23, 2025, in New York.

Aerial survey covers 8,000 square kilometers

 As part of its comprehensive marine species monitoring program, EAD completed its latest aerial survey, covering more than 8,000 square kilometers of marine habitats. The results reflect the government’s commitment to harnessing cutting-edge technology to strengthen Abu Dhabi’s global position in environmental protection. The survey revealed a more than 20% increase in the dugong population and over a 30% rise in sea turtle numbers, offering concrete evidence of the success of Abu Dhabi’s science-based, tech-driven conservation strategy.

1,630 kilometers covered by 6 researchers monitoring Dugongs and Sea Turtles

A team of six EAD researchers conducted the aerial survey, flying 1,630 kilometers over 26 hours to collect critical data on the abundance, distribution, and migratory patterns of dugongs and sea turtles. The survey also tracked the status of dolphins, whales, sharks, rays, and marine birds. Employing global best practices, these surveys serve as an effective, systematic tool for species monitoring, detecting environmental changes, supporting data-informed decision-making, tracking human impacts on marine life, and enabling timely conservation actions.

The survey confirmed a thriving marine ecosystem in Abu Dhabi, with dugong numbers exceeding 3,500 as of 2024. Notably, 20% of the sightings involved mother-calf pairs, reaffirming Abu Dhabi’s position as the world’s second-largest dugong habitat after Australia. This progress reflects the success of conservation measures introduced by EAD, including the ban on fishing nets in Abu Dhabi waters to prevent accidental dugong entanglement.

The survey also reported a significant rise in the sea turtle population, reaching 8,000 individuals in 2024, a 30% increase from the 2015 survey highlighting the success of nesting site protection measures and effective management of marine protected areas. EAD also documented a Bryde’s whale near the Barakah area and hammerhead sharks in the Al Dhafra region, along with sightings of various other shark, ray, and dolphin species, showcasing the rich biodiversity of Abu Dhabi’s marine ecosystems.