emirates7 - His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in Al Dhafra Region and Chairman of the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD), praised the steadfast support of UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. He emphasized that this continued guidance has been instrumental in enabling the agency to make significant strides through a wide range of strategic projects aimed at conserving fish stocks and ensuring their sustainability for future generations.
The remarks came during Sheikh Hamdan’s visit to the EAD headquarters, accompanied by Sheikh Hazza bin Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, EAD’s Managing Director, Nasser Mohammed Al Mansouri, Undersecretary of the Ruler's Representative Court in Al Dhafra, and Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, the agency’s Secretary-General.
Sheikh Hamdan commended EAD’s major achievement in boosting the sustainable fishing index from just 8.9% in 2018 to an impressive 97.4% by the end of 2024 — ranking Abu Dhabi first globally in this index. He credited this success to EAD’s wide-ranging, science-based approaches that support fish stock recovery. These include regulating fishing practices through sustainable gear, overseeing recreational fishing, and creating six marine reserves under the Sheikh Zayed Protected Areas Network to better monitor and manage fishing activities.
Additionally, EAD has made key advancements in sustainable aquaculture, such as coral reef restoration and deploying artificial habitats under the Abu Dhabi Coral Gardens project to enhance fish populations.
During the visit, EAD presented the Dalma Fish Project, the region’s first marine cage aquaculture initiative to incorporate artificial intelligence. The agency also showcased its global-first use of AI in fisheries management, enabling species identification and precise estimation of fish size and weight — tools that improve data accuracy and support the sector’s long-term sustainability.
Sheikh Hamdan concluded his visit by applauding EAD’s forward-looking vision, dedication to environmental sustainability, and active collaboration with stakeholders — including fishermen and community members — as essential to achieving the emirate’s strategic goals for the preservation of marine resources.
The remarks came during Sheikh Hamdan’s visit to the EAD headquarters, accompanied by Sheikh Hazza bin Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, EAD’s Managing Director, Nasser Mohammed Al Mansouri, Undersecretary of the Ruler's Representative Court in Al Dhafra, and Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, the agency’s Secretary-General.
Sheikh Hamdan commended EAD’s major achievement in boosting the sustainable fishing index from just 8.9% in 2018 to an impressive 97.4% by the end of 2024 — ranking Abu Dhabi first globally in this index. He credited this success to EAD’s wide-ranging, science-based approaches that support fish stock recovery. These include regulating fishing practices through sustainable gear, overseeing recreational fishing, and creating six marine reserves under the Sheikh Zayed Protected Areas Network to better monitor and manage fishing activities.
Additionally, EAD has made key advancements in sustainable aquaculture, such as coral reef restoration and deploying artificial habitats under the Abu Dhabi Coral Gardens project to enhance fish populations.
During the visit, EAD presented the Dalma Fish Project, the region’s first marine cage aquaculture initiative to incorporate artificial intelligence. The agency also showcased its global-first use of AI in fisheries management, enabling species identification and precise estimation of fish size and weight — tools that improve data accuracy and support the sector’s long-term sustainability.
Sheikh Hamdan concluded his visit by applauding EAD’s forward-looking vision, dedication to environmental sustainability, and active collaboration with stakeholders — including fishermen and community members — as essential to achieving the emirate’s strategic goals for the preservation of marine resources.