NEWS
ABU DHABI MEDIA TO AIR ENVIRONMENT AGENCY - ABU DHABI’S NEW DOCUMENTARY:
OUR SEA, OUR FUTURE
The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) has unveiled its new documentary: “Our Sea, Our Future,” as a part of its ongoing cooperation with Abu Dhabi Media, the UAE’s leading public service broadcaster and media company. The documentary highlights the fisheries sector, which is an integral part of Abu Dhabi’s heritage. The film illuminates the pressure that Abu Dhabi’s fisheries face, and the actions taken by EAD to contain the impacts of overfishing on the marine environment, with the aim of ensuring the recovery and renewal of the Emirate’s fish stocks. The documentary premiered in Ramadan on the Emarat Channel on Saturday May 1st, and Wednesday, May 5th, 2021 and was broadcast at the same time as the premiere on all accounts of the Abu Dhabi and Emarat Channels social media platforms. It was also shown on the Abu Dhabi Channel on the first day of Eid Al Fitr. The documentary, which runs for 35 minutes, was produced by EAD to highlight the roles of some of its employees as they undertake their daily work on shorelines, marine areas, ports, labs and landing sites. It showcases the challenges that employees face while conducting their various tasks and responsibilities. In addition, the documentary features interviews with EAD experts and specialists who emphasise the importance of 12
DIVERS FOR THE ENVIRONMENT | JUNE 2021
fishing, the work undertaken by many Emiratis as a main source of income in the pre-oil era. Despite the ubiquitous development in all aspects of life in the UAE, and the wide diversity of income sources, fishing remains one of the main sources of income and a valued traditional craft. The documentary also showcases the perspectives of various fishermen, who are key partners of the agency. Fishermen play a major role in protecting marine life through their ongoing co-operation with EAD’s staff both in the field and at landing sites. Additionally, fisherman contribute to scientific research and traditional knowledge by providing information about the types of fish and endangered species, as well as landing catch data, to name a few. Moreover, fishermen play a vital role in compliance with resolutions and procedures, which have a significant impact in curbing the impacts of overfishing in the marine environment.
fisheries in the UAE, like others around the world, are subject to depletion due to several natural and human factors. Studies conducted by the agency show that the fishing sector in Abu Dhabi faced significant pressures, as the over utilisation of fisheries and the sharp depletion of the fish stock led to more than 80% decline in the fish stock levels in the country. Moreover, several key commercial species declined to unsustainable levels. He added, “As part of our efforts to protect the fish stocks and encourage sustainable use of fisheries and marine resources, the agency set several controls to manage fisheries in the emirate in a manner that would increase feasibility to utilise and preserve natural resources.”
His Excellency Mohamed Ahmed Al Bowardi, Vice Chairman of EAD, said, “Abu Dhabi is one of the key stakeholders in fisheries in the UAE, and the improvement of the fish stock and the abundance of demersal species represent very good indicators of the general condition of the country’s territorial waters in the Arabian Gulf.”
His Excellency asserted, “In this regard, several standards have been implemented to manage fisheries in Abu Dhabi by banning unsustainable fishing methods to protect marine species. It is also to ensure the sustainability of fisheries as part of a comprehensive plan to ensure recovery and sustainability for the next generations and to remain a key pillar of the country’s food security ecosystem. This would also help enhance sustainable development of marine resources and increase fish stocks while improving revenues for fishermen at the same time.”
His Excellency pointed out that natural
Her Excellency Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak,
