Divers for the Environment September 2021

Page 5

EDA C0-FOUNDER’S NOTE

THE FUTURE OF OCEANS Oceans cover more than two thirds of the Earth’s surface. They are home to millions of species, provide a key source of protein to people on every continent, and play an enormous role in regulating our planet’s climate, water cycle, and more. They are facing tremendous disruption from human action, from rising temperatures and overfishing, to acidification, to plastic pollution. Despite the bad news about the state of the oceans, there are many positive examples which prove that it is possible to protect the seas and utilise marine resources sustainably. For example, the decision by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to introduce stricter emission limit values for shipping. Another success is the commercial whaling moratorium, which entered into force in 1986, ending the commercial hunting of the great whales. Although some countries continue to hunt whales, the number of whales killed has decreased dramatically. If the marine environment is to be protected more effectively, based on the sustainable management of its resources, there must be better coordination between its conservation and diverse uses.

IBRAHIM AL-ZU’BI EDA’s Co-Founder

A well-informed public with a good understanding of the marine environment can make use of the necessary pressure to effect policy changes. To that end however, it is often necessary to provide support in the form of aid projects so that people are able to take responsibility for the sustainable management of their environment. This capacity building is now a policy demand at the highest level and is in the heart of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By 2050 our seas will be more than a platform for tourism and recreation, but rather an ocean for solutions. Our sustainable energy solutions will be aided by marine algae-derived biofuel, while new medicines to treat modern diseases will be derived from sea creatures with novel chemical structures. Scuba diving delivers a different perspective to the ocean’s marine wildlife by personally touching everyone through its delicate yet fierce presence. Being at one with the ocean runs as deep as its waters and fills diver’s hearts with the mystery to which the ocean presents itself. Diving and experiencing the rich beauty in untouched nature and respecting the ocean is a huge part of being a responsible diver. Forming friendly relationships with other divers in the community may give you the feeling of responsibility to protect our waters which is truly unique. There is still so much we do not know. We need to keep learning about our water world, especially the deep sea and the immense role of the oceans in global climate change. All of us need to do our part. We are all stewards of the ocean and the planet. We must continue to explore. We must continue to study the things we do not yet understand, and protect the resources we have for future generations. Shared oceans protected by all, holds the solutions for the planet’s future. Together, we can make a difference. Dive Safe!

Ibrahim Al-Zu’bi

SEPTEMBER 2021 | DIVERS FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

5


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DAN Europe

1min
page 78

HEALTH

7min
pages 76-77

Zanzibar

19min
pages 64-75

Equipment Review

5min
pages 60-63

My Buddy

7min
pages 56-59

The Eyes are the Window to the Soul

5min
pages 52-55

Deep Dive Dubai

11min
pages 34-41

Feature Creature

13min
pages 30-33

Artificial Reefs

13min
pages 46-51

The Value of a 20-Year Coral Reef Dataset

4min
page 29

Dreamscape

4min
pages 42-45

Reef Check Malaysia

4min
page 28

Reef Check Kelp Forest Programme

3min
page 27

Reef Check Data

2min
page 26

PADI Launches New Job Board

2min
page 19

Dubai 92 Coral Reef Conservation

2min
pages 22-25

PADI Positions Membership as Mission Hubs

3min
page 18

PADI and the Ocean Cleanup Join Forces

2min
page 17

EAD to Continue Marine Scientific Research

4min
page 16

My Diving Experience

2min
page 21

EAD and Wetlands International Launch New Online Portal

4min
page 15

Welcoming the World

4min
page 10

Dugong and Seagrass Toolkit

4min
page 11

The EPAA of Sharjah and Zayed University

4min
pages 8-9

EDA Director’s Note

2min
page 5

EAD Uses Satellites to Track Three Rehabilitated Turtles

4min
page 14

A Virtual EDA Movie Screening

10min
pages 6-7

Largest Coral Reef Rehabilitation Project in the Region

4min
page 12

EAD Improves Marine Water Quality

4min
page 13
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