EWS-WWF has published a report on the historic three-year collaborative research project, 'Coral Reef Investigations in Abu Dhabi and Eastern Qatar', which ran between January 1, 2005 and December 31, 2007
The objectives were to map, for the first time, the extensive range of shallow coral reefs lying in Qatari and Abu Dhabi waters. The need was to assess the condition and potential for recovery of various degraded reef systems and to build up the professional capacities of national researchers in Abu Dhabi and Qatar.
The study's overall goal has been to develop a long-term conservation management plan for these coral reef habitats, for the benefit of the reefs themselves, sustainable local fish stocks and future generations of UAE and Qatari citizens.
The project was a highly successful collaborative venture between researchers from the Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD) Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD) and Qatar's Supreme Council for the Environment and Natural Resources (SCENR). It was sponsored by Dolphin Energy Limited and managed by the UAE's Emirates Wildlife Society (EWS) and the regional branch of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). Expert scientific support was provided by coral reef specialists from the National Coral Reef Institute (NCRI) in Florida.
Dolphin Energy's UAE General Manager, Ibrahim Ahmed Al Ansari said, "We have gathered a unique trove of knowledge, of great scientific value. We and our collaborators now know where the coral is thriving, even re-growing, despite extreme temperature conditions in recent summers.
"We also now know that regional coastal development is accelerating coral die-off. The dangers involved have been assessed in the Coral Reef Management Plan in this project. Together, we can protect these beautiful and essential marine habitats for the benefit of our children and future generations."
Mr Al Ansari also added that the close working partnership between Dolphin as an energy company, non-government organisations (NGOs), regulatory agencies and academia throughout all phases of the three year project was a key to its success.
For the EWS-WWF, Managing Director Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak said, "It is my pleasure to present to you the final project report which confirms that coral growth is widespread throughout Abu Dhabi's and Qatar's territorial waters. Many of these reefs are in a good state of health but, unfortunately, an almost equal number have been severely impacted by natural and man-made disturbances."
She added, "On behalf of EWS-WWF, I would like to highlight the significance and importance of this project - the first of its kind ever to be carried out in the Gulf; and also to thank all of those who made it possible."
Youssef Al Hamar, Director, Technical Affairs, SCENR stated, "Environmental specialists in both countries have worked hard side-by -side in cooperation with coral reef experts through 3 successive years. I would like to thank all who contributed for their efforts throughout. Working as a team was really exciting. We hope to see and contribute to similar environmental projects in the near future."
Thabet Al Abdessalaam, speaking on behalf of Majid Al Mansoori, General Secretary, EADEAD, concluded, "On behalf of the Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi, I extend my sincere thanks and gratitude to the project team and all who contributed to make this project a success. I would also like to extend our gratitude to the Emirates Wildlife Society and Dolphin Energy for their continued support and excellent cooperation."
Over the three year period, the various project teams undertook scale mapping of coral - using satellite imagery, as well as ground verification, accuracy reports, fieldwork around the islands, training of scientific personnel at SCENR and EADEAD, a coral reef monitoring training manual, production of the conservation master plan and completion of a definitive coral reef documentary.
A new illustrated book, "Coral," and a documentary, will be published later in the year to commemorate the project.
In an exclusive interview with Earthwitness, the chief executive officer of Dolphin Energy, Ahmad Al Sayegh, spoke about Dolphin Energy’s participation in the Coral Reef project.
This year, 2008, is the International Year of the Reef. Now that the study ‘Coral Reef Investigations in Abu Dhabi and Eastern Qatar’ is complete, what do we now know of the corals in the region?
The study has provided irrefutable evidence that the coral reef systems of Abu Dhabi and Qatar are part of an integrated ecosystem, which does not recognise lines on maps. Therefore, conservation measures have to be taken on both sides of the border if these critically endangered coral reef habitats are to be sustained. Scientists are now seeing significant evidence of recovery as young corals are beginning to re-colonise the old reefs and if properly protected and conserved to allow this process to continue, we can expect to see substantial coral reef recovery within 15-20 years.
What motivated Dolphin Energy to participate in the project?
From its creation, Dolphin Energy has been an innovative business concept with a focus on building partnerships and identifying win-win opportunities. We wanted to extend this successful partnering formula to the communities, within which we operate, by bringing together scientists, regulators, concerned citizens and the energy sector. In this way we have been able to collectively, work towards common objectives of social responsibility that are important to all. Coral reefs and associated habitats have had a major influence on the culture, traditions and heritage of our seafaring people for many centuries and by our collective efforts we hope to maintain that for future generations.
The late His Highness Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan was a pioneer in environment protection and conservation. It must be an honor for Dolphin Energy to carry that legacy forward…
His Highness Sheikh Zayed was a leader of vision who knew and understood the concept of environmental stewardship, sustainable development and mutual benefit between neighbouring states. His Highness was instrumental in creating the Dolphin Gas Initiative from which Dolphin Energy was born and we will continue to fulfil his vision of mutual cooperation and benefit.
Earlier this year, you launched a project called Coral Regrowth Studies, based on the results of the Coral mapping study. It involves ceramic modules mimicking natural branching corals… Could you tell us more about the Coral Regrowth studies?
During the coral reef project, one of the common issues of concern was to identify ways of enhancing coral regrowth. In November 2007 in consultation with Qatari authorities, Dolphin Energy initiated a two-year study to evaluate coral regrowth on a variety of media, including our concrete covered pipeline; rock armour placed on top of the pipeline near the shoreline, natural rock seabed and artificial reef structures. Ecoreefs were selected for evaluation as an artificial reefs structure because the product is relatively new, resembles stag horn type corals and has not previously been used within the Arabian Gulf.
Over the next two years the relative growth of corals and other marine flora and fauna will be monitored by marine scientists from the United States. The results of the programme will be used to determine growth rates and what impact if any the substrate may have.
I am delighted to advise that this month we have embarked on a similar coral growth programme with Abu Dhabi authorities to compare the performance of different artificial reef structures and their effect on the accumulation of coral, flora and fauna.
How can we address the challenges faced by the marine environment in the Arabian Gulf?
Regrettably there is no “single solution to the environmental challenges we now face.” The marine environmental issues within the region are complex and many issues are still not fully understood. What is necessary is regular, informed and ongoing dialogue between all stakeholders and agreement on an integrated coastal management plan.
Our project stakeholders have taken the first major step on this journey by production of the Coral Conservation and Management Plan. The plan has been agreed by all parties and has now been entrusted to the environmental regulators of Qatar and Abu Dhabi who are responsible for its implementation.
This must have been a tremendous opportunity to acquire new technical skills and a better understanding on what needs to be done…
Both projects have been designed to increase scientific knowledge and understanding of our marine environment. Experts from international institutions have joined with local scientists and UAE and Qatari graduate trainees to enhance the institutional capacity of the environmental regulators and provide local and overseas training for national staff.
We believe the environmental regulators are now equipped with the necessary tools and expertise in order to make better informed decisions on proposed developments and how economic progress can be achieved in balance with environmental care and social responsibility for future generations.
What do you think has been the biggest gain of this study?
Through the coral project we have identified the status and distribution of coral reef habitat in Eastern Qatar and Abu Dhabi, evaluated their current health and ecological significance. We have shown how stakeholders can work together effectively to fulfil individual aspirations and address concerns in a balanced partnership between government, community and corporate entities.
How do you see Dolphin Energy addressing environmental issues?
Dolphin Energy has embraced technology in all our facilities. Although we are in full production our current challenge is to optimise the performance of our facilities and operating regimes still further to minimise our emissions, wastes and discharges as part of our ongoing commitment to continual improvement.
In the longer term, we shall continue to identify opportunities to further enhance our environmental protection measures in our operations and continue to address concerns of our stakeholders, betterment of the communities we work within and the citizens of Qatar and Abu Dhabi.
Interview with Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak
EWS-WWF (Emirates Wildlife Society and World Wildlife Fund) was a key member in the project, as an environmental NGO, they had a critical role to play. Earthwitness spoke to Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, managing director, EWS-WWF.
Razan holds a MSc in Public Understanding of Environmental Change from the University College London, UK, where her dissertation documented and analysed the traditional laws of the sea (al urf) used by tribes to govern fisheries in Abu-Dhabi during the pre-oil era.
When you started this project, how bad was the state of coral reefs in the region?
Coral reefs in the Arabian Gulf are in a state of deterioration – that too at a very alarming rate. The Arabian Gulf has already lost 65 per cent of coral reefs. This makes our coral reefs in a critically endangered state.
From an environmental NGO standpoint and from an environmental authority standpoint, coral reefs are at a critically endangered state and they need to be conserved. Coral reefs are at the heart of the issue. We decided to look at a priority project to address the grim situation, and that was how we started the coral reef project.
Do you think there has been some sort of a trigger to the destruction of coral reefs in the Arabian Gulf?
Various scientists have been studying and recording data of the marine ecosystem in the area, and the corals too. Before this project, all studies and monitoring have been focused on a general perspective of the state of corals.
The Arabian Gulf is a very sensitive region for the survival of coral reefs, simply because of the natural harsh conditions that exist here. As we all know, the region has extremely high temperatures during the summer months. The coral reefs in the Arabian Gulf are already at extreme levels of existence. Any additional disturbance, even in the slightest degree, pushes it over the limit of its survival.
We now must have a better understanding of the current state of affairs of the coral reefs. Has this project helped develop a local knowledge base on coral reef management?
This is the first study, which has been focused on the Arabian corals – in Abu Dhabi and Eastern Qatar. Now we actually have a map and we know where all the shallow corals (six metres) are; we know their health and specific locations.
For instance, we now know about the coral reef in Ghantoot – what the health is, and what is the coral cover. So we know quite a few specificities about the corals in this region and we have used the best available technologies to help us gain the information. But more importantly, we are gaining in terms of developing a local knowledge based institution. For now, we used the existing institutions, which are the Environment Agency in Abu Dhabi and Environmental Authority in Qatar. We have trained more than 23 scientists in Qatar and 12 in EAD on coral reefs and we looked at training them in various areas such as diving, identifying corals, monitoring their health and the continuation of monitoring. We have also taught them issues that are theoretical in terms of biology of coral reefs but more importantly practical aspects as well.
One of the partners in the project is National Coral Reef Institute, Florida, which is quite a strong institution in coral reef conservation and is highly regarded. We have used some of their expertise through this project. The technical trainers and investigators were from NCRI. Building on their experience we have learnt quite a bit on how to monitor and to do the mapping itself.
What did your team learn from the NCRI experience?
We had a workshop in Florida, during which we were able to meet managers of the protected areas in the Florida coastal region. We gained a great deal from their substantial experience in managing protected areas. We were also able to interact with people, who put together a coral reef management plan for the coral reefs – also understood what was the process that was followed, what worked and what didn’t work. What were the gaps in their coral management plans and how can we avoid it in this particular plan.
The most exciting aspect of the interaction was that our team was also able contribute to the discussions. There were quite a few lessons from this project, which we were able to share with the coral community in Florida.
Many congratulations on the completion of such a remarkable project, which has so much relevance to the region as a whole. Are you looking to share this vast pool of knowledge with other countries in the region to help the entire Arabian Gulf?
I certainly think that this project can be used a model and exported to a lot of the GCC countries. Two years ago we hosted a marine conservation forum in Abu Dhabi where we invited more than 80 scientists from the gulf region, including Iran. What we found was a substantial similarity on many counts; we share the same ecosystem, we share the same type of disturbances whether it’s natural or man-made and we share similar government structures.
So there is certainly quite a lot to learn from each other and share too. Particularly from this project, which is a really a first in this region, we can and we will share our experience and expertise with the entire marine community in the GCC.
What does the future hold for coral reefs in the region? How do you think we can make a difference?
The most important thing we want to do now, is that we now know a lot and we know enough to do a lot of conservation and to raise awareness on the importance of coral reefs. We are in a time in our lives in the region, where we should actually be equipped in conserving them – we know where they are, we have the knowledge to conserve them and we also know how much value they can bring to our economies in terms of storm surge protection and in terms of tourism. There is an economic imperative to conserve coral reefs, there is a moral and ethical imperative to conserve, and there seems to be a political commitment to conserve biodiversity.
The glass looks half full, in the sense that we have the parameters for their conservation; we have a scientific understanding, our capacity of being able to conserve them. What we really need to do is raise coral reef’s profile in terms of their importance to the general public and decision makers. Now we have enough evidence at disposal to be able to achieve those goals.
Don’t you think the governments have to take a proactive position in saving the coral reefs?
One of the main recommendations through this project is that we need to have legislation, and implementation of the legislation to make sure that our corals are conserved.
What is the state of marine environment, in general, across the Arabian Gulf?
The study also looked at the associated habitat – we looked at sea grass beds, these are really prime areas of bio-diversity and bio-capacity. With the whole mapping process we were able to study on other very rich bio-capacity areas such as sea grass beds and mangroves as well. The study also looked at associated species with the corals and one of the things we found through the project is a lot of fisheries that we depend on even from an economic perspective are fish that depend on corals. So Hammour, Sakhi and other species really depend on the corals. So if you don’t have the corals, you don’t have the fish.
What about the dwindling fish stock in the Arabian Gulf?
It’s not very different from the global outlook and I am afraid there is an 80 percent decline in commercial fish. There were some interesting studies done by the Environmental Agency, which have been published – they confirm the rates of decline. It’s an alarming rate and primarily it’s not because of the increase in fish catch, which is also an issue, but it is because of the habitat loss.
What is the main message that comes out of the coral project?
The main message is that our corals are not dead; a lot of people may claim that they are dead but our studies have shown that they are widespread between Abu Dhabi and Qatar. They are around most of the islands and they are around our coasts and particularly our off-shore islands. But they are in an alarming state because half of them have died. They are dead because of natural disturbances, and also some man-made disturbances that we need to mitigate through our coral reef management plan.
I am confident that we need to conserve them and there can be no excuses. We know the sites, we have the know-how, and Abu Dhabi and Qatar have the financial capabilities to keep the effort going.
We need to raise the profile on our coral reefs. The corals are not only for aesthetic purposes, they are more important in saving us from storm surges, protect our coasts and provide for our fisheries. There are plenty of reasons for coral reefs to exist and thrive. We should not be a reason for coral reefs to perish and go extinct.
