EAD’S MARINE RESEARCH VESSEL “JAYWUN” RECEIVES THE FUTURE FIT SEAL

The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi’s (EAD) marine research vessel “Jaywun” – considered the first of its kind in the UAE and the most advanced in the Middle East – received the Future Fit Seal, awarded to federal and local entities for designing clear, targeted, practical, exceptional projects to enhance the UAE’s readiness for the future.

Inaugurated in January 2023 by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in the Al Dhafra Region of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of EAD, “Jaywun” supports the UAE’s efforts in the field of marine sciences. It does this by addressing the impact of climate change and conducting comprehensive monitoring and assessment of the marine ecosystem to achieve EAD’s mission of managing marine biodiversity, and providing a reliable scientific platform that caters for the needs of marine research in the UAE.

Her Excellency Ohood bint Khalfan Al Roumi, Minister of State for Government Development and the Future, visited the marine research vessel “Jaywun”, where she was received by Her Excellency Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, Managing Director of EAD, and Her Excellency Dr Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary General of EAD.

Her Excellency Al Roumi highlighted that “Jaywun” is one of the prominent projects that supports the UAE’s readiness for the future. The advanced data and research it provides will contribute to increasing marine biodiversity, achieving the UAE Net Zero by 2050 strategic initiative, and developing sustainable government policies and programmes to address the impact of climate change.

“The Future Fit Seal highlights the achievements of government entities that design impactful projects to enhance the UAE’s readiness for the future, achieve proactiveness and sustainability in a rapidly changing world, and help leverage future opportunities to promote the UAE’s competitiveness,” Her Excellency Al Roumi added.

Her Excellency Dr Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary General of the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi stated that, “EAD’s research vessel “Jaywun” asserts the keenness of Abu Dhabi’s leadership to support the scientific approach adopted by EAD in order to enhance the sustainable management of the marine ecosystem, especially in the oceans, and become one of the leaders in scientific research using the most innovative tools and equipment.”

“This new, innovative research vessel will contribute to maintaining our leadership in the field of scientific marine research and sustainable fisheries management, which is one of our key strategic priorities and success stories,” HE added.

Al Dhaheri elaborated further, “Using the latest technologies and ensuring that all equipment and protocols on the vessel are environmentally friendly, we position Abu Dhabi as a leader in the environmental and sustainability scientific research in the region. Moreover, our methodology for reviving our fish reserves can serve as a benchmark for fisheries studies internationally. The EAD’s future vision for preserving fisheries, ensuring their recovery, and monitoring them through this research vessel is a testimony of our marine ecosystem sustainability commitment.

The research vessel is one of the main projects in shaping the future of the marine ecosystem, employing scientific research to sustainably manage fish resources, curb the impact of climate change and ensure the sustainability of resources for present and future generations.”

“Jaywun” monitors fish reserves and marine biodiversity, in addition to its efforts to enhance the passion of young Emirati researchers in a career conducting research and studies on fisheries in the hottest sea in the world, the Arabian Gulf. It further supports the implementation of a number of environmental initiatives, most important of which is the Blue Carbon Assessment Project for Ocean Fisheries. This is the first survey conducted to assess ocean blue carbon across fisheries in the region. The vessel will also help map the DNA baseline for the UAE’s main fish species by studying the genome sequences of more than ten major fish species. The survey utilises both marine species collection methods and subsea sound wave techniques.

The project includes a comprehensive survey for following up on the UAE fisheries during 2023, as well as studying fish reserves and marine resources to update data related to their condition. The comprehensive fisheries assessment survey is extremely important at both the national and regional levels, as it provides a clear image of the condition and trends of fisheries in the UAE and contributes to adopting the necessary measures for their sustainability, development and recovery. With around 30 personnel working on board, “Jaywun” has cutting-edge research equipment and encompasses 6 laboratories for studying samples on the vessel, and a remotelyoperated vehicle that has the ability to dive underwater.

THE FUTURE FIT SEAL

Future Fit projects are assessed by the Government Development and Future Office based on six key criteria, namely; the project should focus on human-centred approaches and utilise emerging trends and data to design future readiness projects, the project’s ability to create added value for the national economy and the society of the United Arab Emirates, the extent to which the project adheres to sustainable practices and utilises advanced technology to create a better future, the project should be proactive, innovative, and practical, contributing to enhancing future readiness, achieving flexibility and the ability to adapt to future changes, and achieving digital readiness through the adoption and development of advanced future technologies.