Abu Dhabi Marine Restoration
United Arab Emirates
Safeguarding the world’s second-largest dugong population is a goal of the drive in the United Arab Emirates to restore beds of seagrass, the vegetarian dugong’s preferred food, coral reefs and mangroves along the Gulf coast.
The initiative in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi will improve conditions for many other plants and animals, including four species of turtle and three kinds of dolphin. Local communities will benefit from the revival of some of the 500 species of fish, as well as greater opportunities for eco-tourism.
The initiative in numbers
7,500
Hectares restored
4,500
Hectares to be restored by 2030
25,000
Green jobs to be created by 2030
“Abu Dhabi’s coastal and marine areas are an important biodiversity hotspot. We saw the challenges facing our critical coastal and marine habitats and we are delighted our resulting restoration efforts are being recognized by the UN.”
Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary General of the Environment Agency
Leading organizations
This World Restoration Flagship is coordinated by The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi.