The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) has launched the Hamdan bin Zayed: The World’s Richest Seas initiative. 

This programme aims to significantly increase fish stocks in the emirate, seeking to achieve one of the highest densities globally by 2030.

As part of efforts to enhance productive marine habitats, Abu Dhabi Coral Gardens is one of the initiative’s flagship projects. The programme aims to establish new marine sites and underwater gardens through the deployment of 40,000 artificial reef modules, with the number set to rise to 80,000 by 2030, supported by partnerships. 

The announcement was made on the occasion of the UAE’s National Environment Day and coincided with a major environmental milestone for Abu Dhabi with the achievement of 100% in the Sustainable Fishing Index by the end of 2025, compared to just 8 per cent in 2018, during the meeting of the Global Councils for Sustainable Development Goals, held on the sidelines of the World Government Summit 2026, which was chaired by Ohood bint Khalfan Al Roumi, Minister of State for Government Development and the Future, Chair of the Global Councils for Sustainable Development Goals. 

The heads of the global councils from 17 countries and the vice-chairs of the councils – mostly high-level UAE government officials - were also present at the meeting.

This transformative progress reflects the success of the integrated regulatory and scientific approach adopted by the emirate over recent years. 

It has played a pivotal role in safeguarding and sustaining marine resources, while strengthening the national food security ecosystem by increasing the abundance of local fish stocks and ensuring the availability of natural, renewable food sources for the community.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in the Al Dhafra Region and Chairman of the Board of EAD affirmed that this achievement reflects the strong support the agency receives from His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE.

He noted that achieving a 100 per cent Sustainable Fishing Index marks a pivotal milestone in Abu Dhabi’s journey to safeguard its marine resources. 

"The launch of this initiative represents a continuation of an approach grounded in science, innovation and the regulation of marine practices – one that enhances the sea’s productivity while preserving its natural balance for the benefit of future generations and contributes to strengthening our food security," he added.

These efforts are reinforced by a suite of complementary initiatives, most notably the Coral Rehabilitation Project, which aims to increase the number of cultivated coral colonies to four million, alongside the Abu Dhabi Mangrove Initiative, which targets the planting of 50 million mangrove trees by 2030.-TradeArabia News Service