New vessel used to delve deeper into UAE waters and marine life

The vessel will help strengthen national and global marine science capabilities and enable the agency to implement its SeaWorld Discovery program.

The launch ceremony was attended by Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Bowadi, Minister of State for Defense Affairs and Vice-Chairman of the Agency’s Board of Directors; Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, Minister of Climate Change and Environment; Dr. Mugheer Khamis Al Khaili, Chairman of the Ministry of Community Development; Falah Mohamed Al Ahbabi, Chairman, Ministry of Municipalities and Transport; Major General Faris Khalaf Al Mazrouei, Commander-in-Chief, Abu Dhabi Police; Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, Managing Director, EAD; and Ahmad Saqr Al Suwaidi, Chief Executive Officer, ADNOC Offshore.

Also present at the ceremony were Ahmed Matar Al Dhaheri, Head of the Office of His Highness’s Representative in the Al Dhafra Region, and Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary-General of EAD.

Sheikh Hamdan said: “Since its inception, EAD has focused on scientific research and exploratory research on the environment and wildlife to improve understanding of the emirate’s biodiversity and the environmental and ecological pressures it faces. This research will be supported by Led by a dedicated team of passionate environmental experts, they will apply their vast collective knowledge in an effort to improve understanding of the marine environment and develop countermeasures to any threats.”

“This research will also provide a solid scientific basis to ensure effective and sustainable management of the marine environment as part of the UAE’s commitment to develop solutions to the region’s most prominent challenges,” he added.

The 50-meter vessel will operate within UAE territorial waters in the Arabian Gulf and Sea of ​​Oman, enabling EAD to complete research on the marine environment and fisheries in waters below 10 meters.

The ship can accommodate about 30 people and is equipped with the latest research equipment, including six laboratories for studying samples on board and a remote-controlled submarine. The research vessel will enable EAD to monitor and protect fish stocks and marine biodiversity, and help ignite a passion for oceanography and fisheries research among young Emirati researchers in the Arabian Gulf, the world’s hottest sea.

The vessel will also support a number of environmental initiatives such as the Marine Fisheries Blue Carbon Assessment Project – the first marine blue carbon fisheries assessment survey in the region. The survey project was created to support the UAE’s strategic move to become climate neutral by 2050 and will be conducted in the country’s waters.

The work plan also includes establishing a DNA baseline of the UAE’s major fish species, while simultaneously studying the complete genome sequences of more than 10 major species. The survey combined the collection of marine life and the use of underwater sonic technology. The project will include a comprehensive fishery stock assessment survey to assess fisheries in the country’s waters through 2023, providing up-to-date data on fish stocks, status and other indicators.

The Integrated Fisheries Research Assessment Survey, a core component of the Blue Carbon Ocean Assessment, is considered an extremely important project at the national and regional levels, providing a clear picture of the status and key trends of fisheries in the UAE and will help EAD contribute to their sustainable Sexuality and development and recovery planning to implement the necessary measures.

The agency commissioned Freire Shipbuilding in Vigo, Spain, to develop the vessel under the supervision of Abu Dhabi Shipbuilding and with the support of the agency’s team. The vessel has been designed and built for the sea conditions in the Gulf region, characterized by shallow water and high salinity. Preliminary sea trials were conducted off the coast of Spain to test the ship’s readiness before it set sail for Abu Dhabi.

The ship embarked on a one-month maiden voyage at the end of November, spanning three continents of Europe, Africa and Asia, including waters in 25 countries and 8 regional seas, with a voyage of more than 10,000 kilometers.

Dr Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, EAD Secretary General, said: “The completion of our new marine research vessel is an important step for us at Abu Dhabi Environment Agency and we are delighted to benefit from it, supporting the emirate’s efforts to protect its environment and marine biodiversity. and marine resources of the United Arab Emirates.The vessel is capable of conducting comprehensive marine and fishery surveys, including basic surveys of deep-sea marine environments, fishery stock assessment surveys, coral reef and seagrass habitat surveys, marine water quality and sediment studies and biological surveys. Additionally, the vessel will play an important role in developing strategies and management plans to ensure the recovery and sustainability of fish stocks.”

The EAD Secretary-General confirmed that the development of the EAD-owned research vessel demonstrates the willingness of the leadership and government of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi to support the agency’s scientific approach to sustainably manage the marine environment and protect healthy aquatic ecosystems, especially in the ocean.

The IAEA recently signed a memorandum of understanding with the Institute in Cyprus and the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry in Germany to collaborate on an exploratory atmospheric research expedition – a world first – from three MoU signings About 30 experts from both sides participated. The expedition was carried out on a marine research vessel equipped with advanced monitoring equipment. The facility is operated by researchers from the Cyprus Institute for Climate and Atmospheric Research, a leading regional center of excellence in air pollution and climate change research, and the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, which builds on the comprehensive understanding of climate change Conduct groundbreaking research. Earth’s atmospheric chemical processes and their interactions.

This important research provides valuable new data to better understand coastal and ocean air quality and climate change. During the trip, more than 22 different parameters were monitored, including air quality, greenhouse gas concentrations, as well as volatile organic compounds, dust storms and atmospheric air properties.

Last October, the agency signed an agreement with SAFEEN Group, the maritime services arm of AD Ports Group, to manage, operate and maintain the marine research vessel.

Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Managing Director and Group Chief Executive Officer of AD Ports Group, emphasized that the Group is keen to support scientific research, keep abreast of the latest technological advancements and integrate innovation into the work culture of its business units in line with wise leadership.

He said: “We would like to thank the [Sheikh Hamdan] Inauguration of the marine research vessel ‘Jaywun’, believed to be the first vessel of its kind in the UAE and the most advanced vessel in the Middle East”.

He added: “At AD Ports Group we are proud to have the SAFEEN Group manage, operate and maintain this research vessel, which reflects our technological advancements, our growing capabilities and our active role in supporting scientific research .”

The agency has also signed three agreements with UAE University, Khalifa University and Abu Dhabi University to collaborate on research and development to support the ship’s environmental research role, while building capacity and empowering students and researchers in the field of scientific research. The agency will expand its collaboration with academic and research institutions in the UAE and overseas to maximize the value of the research vessel. The ship aims to be a pioneering platform for ocean research at the national level.