The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) is building the Middle East’s most advanced research vessel. The state-of-the-art, multipurpose marine conservation and fisheries vessel will use environment-friendly technologies in conducting specialised research.
His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region and Chairman of the Board of Directors of EAD, said: “After the resounding success we have achieved with the dramatic improvement of fish stock numbers in Abu Dhabi waters, due to new policies and legislation, we are proud to be continuing our research on fisheries and all marine biodiversity to maintain the momentum of the significant work we have done so far.
“The addition of a new cutting edge, scientific research vessel to lead our marine research is a momentous achievement that will enable us to monitor and conserve our fish stocks and marine biodiversity in addition to fostering the passion of our young Emirati marine scientists for years to come. I am excited about the addition of the new research vessel to pioneer our oceanographic and fisheries research in our deeper waters.”
Operating in the UAE’s waters of the Arabian Gulf, Arabian Sea, and further afield, the 50 metre vessel enables EAD to complete new marine and fisheries scientific waters in the previously largely unstudied waters 10m and deeper. It will be designed and built for the conditions of the region – where the Arabian Gulf is characterised by its shallowness and high salinity.
The vessel will be manned by up to 30 personnel and in addition to state-of-the-art research equipment, it includes five laboratories to process samples on the vessel, a remotely occupied vehicle and SCUBA diving functionality. It has the integrated functions to complete comprehensive marine and fisheries surveys including deepwater marine ecological baseline surveys; fisheries resources assessment surveys; deep-water habitat surveys of coral and seagrasses; marine water and sediment quality; and megafauna surveys of the likes of cetaceans – dolphins; dugong and turtles.
It will also enable EAD to respond to the threats facing the marine environment including marine debris, climate change and invasive marine species.
Mohammed Ahmed Al Bowardi, UAE’s Minister of State for Defence and EAD’s Vice Chairman said: “At EAD, we always strive to be a step ahead and be at the helm of progressive scientific research, using the most innovative tools and equipment. The development of this new and innovative research vessel will allow us to maintain our edge in marine research and in the sustainable management of fisheries – which is one of our main strategic priorities and one of our main success stories.”
Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, Managing Director, EAD, added: “Using the latest technology and ensuring that all the equipment and protocols on the vessel are environmentally-friendly, we will continue to put Abu Dhabi on the scientific map as a leader in environmental affairs and sustainability. Moreover, the way in which we revived our fish stock can serve as a benchmark in the international community. Our future vision of continued improvement through this research vessel is an example of our commitment to the sustainability of our marine environment.”
The vessel will be built by FRIERE Shipyard in Vigo, Spain with Abu Dhabi Shipbuilding managing the build-in support of the EAD team. Design of the ship commenced in January 2021 with it is scheduled to arrive in December 2022.
