Hamdan Bin Zayed Worlds Richest Seas Initiative Sets Ambitious 2030 Fish Stock Goal

The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi has announced the "Hamdan bin Zayed: The World’s Richest Seas" initiative, designed to sharply increase fish stocks and make Abu Dhabi’s waters among the most densely populated with fish worldwide by 2030. The initiative builds on the emirate reaching 100 percent in its Sustainable Fishing Index by the end of 2025, after recording only 8 percent in 2018.

The achievement and new initiative were revealed during the meeting of the Global Councils for Sustainable Development Goals, held alongside the World Government Summit 2026. The session was chaired by Ohood bint Khalfan Al Roumi, Minister of State for Government Development and the Future and Chair of the Global Councils for Sustainable Development Goals, with council heads from 17 countries and several vice-chairs in attendance.

H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in the Al Dhafra Region and Chairman of the Board of the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, stated that the progress reflects the strong backing the agency receives from President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Sheikh Hamdan highlighted that reaching a 100 percent Sustainable Fishing Index represents a turning point in marine protection efforts.

Sheikh Hamdan said, "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." The initiative links scientific regulation with food security goals across the emirate.

A central component of the Hamdan bin Zayed initiative is Abu Dhabi Coral Gardens, which focuses on building productive marine habitats. The programme plans to deploy 40,000 artificial reef modules across selected sites, with this number expected to rise to 80,000 by 2030. Partnerships with public, private and research entities will support deployment and long-term monitoring.

These artificial structures are intended to form a resilient marine infrastructure that attracts fish and other marine life. The planned network should increase biodiversity, support natural reproduction and raise productivity in waters across the emirate. The project is designed to complement existing conservation areas and regulated fishing zones already in place.

Hamdan bin Zayed initiative, coral rehabilitation, mangroves and protected areas

The initiative is supported by several linked programmes, including the Coral Rehabilitation Project, which targets four million cultivated coral colonies. Alongside this, the Abu Dhabi Mangrove Initiative aims to plant 50 million mangrove trees by 2030. Both efforts are aligned with wider climate resilience and coastal protection strategies at national and local levels.

Together, these projects use advanced technologies and artificial intelligence tools to track environmental conditions and identify the best locations for development. Data-driven analysis guides site selection to maximise ecological benefits and support a sustainable food system rooted in healthy marine ecosystems. Monitoring tools will also measure how fish stocks respond to these interventions over time.

Mohamed bin Ahmed Al Bowardi, Vice Chairman of the Board of the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, said the Hamdan bin Zayed initiative builds naturally on earlier fisheries management work. Al Bowardi noted that the index’s rise from 8 percent in 2018 to 100 percent in just six years underlines the impact of strict regulatory policies across Abu Dhabi’s waters.

Al Bowardi said, "The initiative provides an integrated framework that brings together the protection of marine habitats with the development of fish stocks. It strengthens the sustainable use of natural resources in line with the highest international standards, firmly anchoring the contribution of fisheries to national food security." This framework connects environmental regulation with economic resilience.

Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary-General of the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, said, "The initiative embodies a clear vision to build a more productive and sustainable marine ecosystem, guided and supported by the direction of our wise leadership. Expanding the network of protected areas to cover 20 per cent of the emirate’s total area represents one of the initiative’s core pillars, providing effective protection for sensitive habitats and strengthening their capacity for natural regeneration."

Dr. Al Dhaheri added, "The agency continues to implement high-impact programmes grounded in science and innovation, including the establishment of Abu Dhabi Coral Gardens, the deployment of artificial reef modules, the regulation of fishing practices and the enhancement of fish stocks. This will ensure the achievement of the initiative's goals by 2030." These programmes aim to secure long-term gains rather than short-term increases.

The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi states that this integrated approach blends regulation, science and technology to protect marine biodiversity while improving local food security. With clear timelines to 2030, quantified targets for habitats and stocks, and support from national leadership, the Hamdan bin Zayed initiative outlines a structured path for sustaining fisheries and marine ecosystems in the emirate.

With inputs from WAM