emirates7 - The Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD) and Khalifa University of Science and Technology have announced that a team of scientists and marine researchers are aboard the region's most advanced marine research vessel, Jaywun, to conduct the first comprehensive modern sediment survey off Abu Dhabi's coast. The mission aims to study the effects of climate change on the unique marine ecosystem of the Arabian Gulf and open doors for future research.
Jaywun, the UAE's first research vessel, was launched by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Ruler's Representative in Al Dhafra Region and Chairman of the EAD's Board of Directors. The vessel is equipped with state-of-the-art technology and six laboratories to support environmental and climate change research efforts.
The project is part of an initiative launched under a multilateral Memorandum of Understanding between the EAD, OceanX, Bayanat, and M42, aboard the Ocean Explorer across the UAE in December 2023.
The study aims to gather essential information about marine ecosystems and map the seafloor to uncover underwater features of the Arabian Gulf along Abu Dhabi’s coast. Future missions, including one off Fujairah’s coast, will continue building on this data.
Prof. Bayan Sharif, Provost of Khalifa University, expressed pride in being a member of the Abu Dhabi Environmental Research Network (ADERN), launched by EAD. As part of ADERN, the Jaywun research vessel is available to UAE scientists, including Khalifa University faculty, for conducting research projects.
Ahmed Al Hashmi, Executive Director of the Terrestrial and Marine Biodiversity Sector at EAD, highlighted Jaywun’s ability to support extensive marine ecosystem research using advanced equipment for high-quality data collection. The current project focuses on studying marine sediments to assess climate change impacts on the Arabian Gulf. The research outcomes will guide future conservation and sustainability projects aimed at protecting marine ecosystems.
The primary goal of the survey is to establish a baseline of sediment data from offshore Abu Dhabi, providing insights into historical and recent environmental changes. The study also examines sediment movement, the effects of storm events, and the overall health of ocean ecosystems, along with marine chemistry and sediment patterns formed under extreme climate conditions.
Jaywun, the UAE's first research vessel, was launched by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Ruler's Representative in Al Dhafra Region and Chairman of the EAD's Board of Directors. The vessel is equipped with state-of-the-art technology and six laboratories to support environmental and climate change research efforts.
The project is part of an initiative launched under a multilateral Memorandum of Understanding between the EAD, OceanX, Bayanat, and M42, aboard the Ocean Explorer across the UAE in December 2023.
The study aims to gather essential information about marine ecosystems and map the seafloor to uncover underwater features of the Arabian Gulf along Abu Dhabi’s coast. Future missions, including one off Fujairah’s coast, will continue building on this data.
Prof. Bayan Sharif, Provost of Khalifa University, expressed pride in being a member of the Abu Dhabi Environmental Research Network (ADERN), launched by EAD. As part of ADERN, the Jaywun research vessel is available to UAE scientists, including Khalifa University faculty, for conducting research projects.
Ahmed Al Hashmi, Executive Director of the Terrestrial and Marine Biodiversity Sector at EAD, highlighted Jaywun’s ability to support extensive marine ecosystem research using advanced equipment for high-quality data collection. The current project focuses on studying marine sediments to assess climate change impacts on the Arabian Gulf. The research outcomes will guide future conservation and sustainability projects aimed at protecting marine ecosystems.
The primary goal of the survey is to establish a baseline of sediment data from offshore Abu Dhabi, providing insights into historical and recent environmental changes. The study also examines sediment movement, the effects of storm events, and the overall health of ocean ecosystems, along with marine chemistry and sediment patterns formed under extreme climate conditions.