Abu Dhabi, May 1st, 2019: The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) celebrated the achievements of schools at the 8th edition of its Sustainable Schools Initiative (SSI) Awards, where 33 government and private schools were awarded for their contributions towards promoting environmental sustainability in their schools and communities.

The Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD), the largest environmental regulator in the Middle East, has recorded the sighting of the Arabian Caracal (Caracal caracal schmitzi) on Jebel Hafeet National Park in Al Ain earlier this month. The medium-sized, sand-coloured cat with characteristically elongated, tufted black ears was last seen in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi in 1984.

In light of the recent results of the Fisheries Resources Assessment Survey (FRAS), the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) organised a workshop for the local spearfishing community to discuss the proposed spearfishing management measures in Abu Dhabi. The session represents a key awareness and outreach pillar of EAD’s comprehensive new Fisheries Recovery Plan, which will start to be implemented this year.

Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, the sixth edition of the World Ocean Summit will convene in Abu Dhabi next month, marking the very first time the international conference comes to the Middle East. The Summit will provide a forum for a global gathering of over 500 delegates - including heads of state, political leaders, policymakers, corporate heads and academics from more than 26 countries – to share dialogue on how best to innovate, govern and promote a sustainable blue economy, and explore new ways to mitigate the adverse impacts of human pressures on ocean health.

Part II of a research report released today by The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) highlights a range of measures supporting the sustainable development of the ocean economy that are being taken across the Indian Ocean region.

The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) has today revealed the results of its Fisheries Resources Assessment Survey, which has been completed over the past two years. The survey was the most comprehensive fisheries survey ever completed in the Arabian Gulf waters of the UAE, spanning 250 days at sea, and including over 2500 survey stations and the gathering of information from more than 200 species of fish, sharks, and rays. The survey results indicate that the UAE demersal (bottom-dwelling) fisheries resources are severely overexploited due to severe fishing pressures and are in need of major recovery.

The Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD), Emirates Nature-WWF and the International Fund for Houbara Conservation (IFHC) officially launched Connect with Nature, a federal environmental education and awareness initiative aimed to inspire UAE youth between the ages of 15 and 24 to explore the country’s natural heritage, at Umm Al Emarat Park in Abu Dhabi yesterday.

The swarms of Desert Locust that have started to invade specific areas of the Al Dhafra region in Abu Dhabi over the past few days are being contained and controlled by the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) together with local authorities. As part of a targeted action plan, the application of ultra-low volume (ULV) pesticide will begin to exterminate the Locust population in the coming days. This will also reduce its spread and prevent potential damage to agricultural crops and other green areas. The infestation has not resulted in any economic damage, nor has it had any adverse environmental impacts, so far – the situation remains stable and under control.

The Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD), the largest environmental regulator in the Middle East, today launched the first-ever Abu Dhabi Groundwater Atlas at the World Future Energy Summit (WFES), being held in Abu Dhabi from 14-17 January 2019.

The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD), the largest environmental regulator in the Middle East, and the Abu Dhabi International Marine Sports Club (ADIMSC) organised an underwater clean-up at Al Mirfa port recently. This clean-up was the biggest and last of a series of eight organised as part of the ‘Together We Make a Difference’ campaign aimed at promoting a safe, clean and healthy natural environment to commemorate the UAE’s Year of Zayed.