ABU DHABI, 5th August / WAM / His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, representative of the ruler in the Al Dhafra region and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, was briefed on the efforts made to rehabilitate sea turtles and marine life in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi through the marine life saving program implemented by the Authority in cooperation with The National Aquarium where rescued turtles are treated and provided with the most advanced veterinary care before they are released back to their natural habitats.
This came during his visit to the National Aquarium, the largest aquarium of its kind in the region, accompanied by Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, his sons, Ahmed Matar Al Dhaheri, director of the office of His Highness the Ruler’s Representative in the Al Dhafra region, and Dr. Sheikha Salem Al Dhaheri Secretary-General of the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, Saeed bin Omair bin Yousef, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Aquarium, and a number of officials.
His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan began the visit by visiting the Specialized Center for the Rehabilitation of Turtles and Marine Biology, which is dedicated to protecting marine life in Abu Dhabi. Since its launch in 2020, the program has succeeded in rescuing, rehabilitating and releasing many sea turtles and other rare marine species.
His Highness was also briefed on the pioneering educational experiences in the field of public awareness of the various segments of society, as the National Aquarium provides an opportunity for the public to learn about the various types of marine creatures that the marine environment in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi harbor.
His Highness’ tour included a visit to a number of sections and facilities included in the project, namely the Emirates’ natural treasures, the depths of the Mediterranean, the Atlantic cave, the forgotten submarine, the ring of fire, the magic of the ocean, the frozen ocean, the submerged forest and the forest garden.
His Highness also visited the section on Bu Tinah Island, which displays the most unique features of the island and its picturesque nature, and got acquainted with a number of fish and sharks that live in the waters of the Arabian Gulf and various oceans around the world.
His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan was briefed on the “Water Canal” project, which includes a number of sports and entertainment facilities, cinemas and about 146 commercial units divided into 91 indoor and outdoor restaurants and cafes, and 55 shops.
The project also includes the Marina building, which manages the boat parking spots in the canal, and includes 95 parking spots for marine boats, in addition to 10 marine taxi stops to facilitate the movement of visitors around the project, and four pedestrian bridges to move between the two ends of the canal. The project also serves 2,700 parking spaces between ground-floor and underground parking.
During the visit, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan inaugurated the first boat of its kind specialized in saving aquatic life in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, which enhances the efficiency of the response to cases of monitoring affected turtles, fish and stingers and transfers them to the specialized center for rehabilitation.
At the conclusion of the visit, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan said, “Our marine environment embraces some of the most diverse ecosystems on the planet, yet it is subject to many pressures that affect its sustainability and biodiversity.”
His Highness added, “Since its establishment, the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi has sought to protect these marine ecosystems and address the loss of biodiversity through the implementation of many programs and initiatives to study them, monitor marine species and protect their natural habitats using the latest innovative monitoring techniques.”
His Highness indicated that the inauguration of the boat will contribute to the protection of saving marine life in a timely manner to be treated, rehabilitated and released into their natural environment.
His Highness praised the efforts made by the authority, in cooperation with the National Aquarium, to rehabilitate turtles and release them into their natural environment to help preserve this species, noting that these intensive efforts contribute to the protection of sea turtles exposed to human influences due to their long lifespan and dependence on coastal and marine habitats that often What are the pressures of human activities.
His Highness said that these efforts effectively contribute to the implementation of the national plan for the conservation of sea turtles, which was developed by the authority in cooperation with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, and which was launched with the aim of effectively protecting sea turtles and their natural habitats to ensure their sustainability in the country’s waters.
For his part, Saeed bin Omair bin Yousef expressed his happiness at the visit of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan to the National Aquarium in order to launch more initiatives aimed at saving aquatic life in cooperation with the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi. Able to respond to emergencies in the ocean and increase the likelihood of their survival in cases of injury. Work is also underway to equip a wildlife rescue ambulance to provide immediate first aid to animal patients who are often present in remote areas. We are working with the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi to intensify Our efforts to protect local animals, especially endangered species.”
It is noteworthy that the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi had signed in 2020 a cooperation agreement with the National Aquarium to enhance efforts to preserve wildlife in the emirate.
Through this partnership, the largest center in the region dedicated to the rehabilitation of sea turtles was launched. The launch of this center aims to enhance efforts to preserve biological diversity in the emirate.
Under the agreement, the National Aquarium provides full support for the rehabilitation of sea turtles by providing complete veterinary treatment, in-house veterinary care, and animal care in general until full recovery and then return to nature.
The National Aquarium also supports the authority in the field of research and studies it carries out by providing satellite tracking devices for wildlife.
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