Abu Dhabi Hosts First Arabian Regional Scientific Seagrass Workshop To Enhance Conservation Efforts

The Yas SeaWorld Research and Rescue Centre, the largest of its kind in the region, recently hosted the first Arabian Regional Scientific Seagrass Workshop. This event was organised in collaboration with the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD), the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) – Dugong MOU Secretariat, and featured Professor Emma Jackson, President of the World Seagrass Association.

Seagrass meadows are vital marine flowering plants found in coastal waters. They provide essential ecosystem services such as oxygen production, sediment stabilisation, blue carbon storage, and habitats for marine life like dugongs and sea turtles. Abu Dhabi's coastline is home to nearly four percent of the world's seagrass, supporting one of the largest dugong populations that rely almost entirely on seagrass for food.

The workshop gathered marine researchers and environmental experts from countries including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, and Oman. The focus was on highlighting seagrass's crucial ecological role in Arabian coastal ecosystems. Discussions centred on current regional research status and strategies to enhance conservation efforts.

Seagrass ecosystems are experiencing a global decline, losing about 110 km² annually since 1980 due to threats like coastal development and marine heatwaves. The workshop aimed to address urgent knowledge gaps and promote data-driven conservation while encouraging regional cooperation to protect these habitats.

Ahmed Al Hashmi, Executive Director of the Terrestrial and Marine Biodiversity Sector at EAD, stated that they are collaborating with partners to develop tools such as artificial intelligence and advanced monitoring systems. These tools aim to better protect seagrass meadows and enhance biodiversity resilience across the Arab region.

Dr Elise Marquis, Director of the Yas SeaWorld Research and Rescue Centre, highlighted seagrass's role in supporting marine biodiversity and storing blue carbon. She stressed the workshop's significance in building collaborative scientific networks and advancing a new era of seagrass research and conservation in the region.

Global Initiatives for Seagrass Conservation

The CMS Secretariat emphasised the 2030 Seagrass Breakthrough Initiative launched during COP28 as a global effort to safeguard seagrass habitats critical for migratory species like dugongs and sea turtles. Rouba Abou-Atieh, Executive Coordinator of the CMS Office – Abu Dhabi, mentioned that this workshop supports greater regional collaboration to fill knowledge gaps and accelerate conservation progress.

The event underscored Yas SeaWorld Research and Rescue Centre’s leading role in marine conservation and scientific research. It reinforced efforts to advance biodiversity protection across the Arabian region.

With inputs from WAM