Can the Middle East mobilize to save its oceans?

The United Arab Emirates usually conjure up images of celebrities, luxury cars and towering skyscrapers. But few are those who think of the richness of its flora and fauna. Yet the region is a treasure both on land and under water. As a privileged witness, having put my flippers here in 1986 and dived in these waters since 1992, I can testify to the former splendor of these ecosystems. Although underwater biodiversity has been affected over the years throughout the Middle East, the Emirates have undertaken bold initiatives to preserve their environment. With COP 28 coming up, promising new measures could be put in place.

The first Middle East Ocean Summit

Last month, Dubai hosted the first-ever Middle East Ocean Summit organized by Goumbook. Renowned experts from around the world gathered to discuss the challenges ahead in the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region. Despite the consumption habits sometimes criticized in the region, it is crucial to take action and take advantage of conservation opportunities to have a positive impact. The marine region is divided into three distinct habitats: coral reefs, seagrasses and mangroves. While the mangroves and sea grass beds are relatively well preserved, the coral reefs are experiencing difficulties.

A Turtle Rehabilitation Project

The gulf has undergone rapid modernization, but their sea remains resilient. Although the population of green turtles is growing, the situation is different for hawksbill turtles, which are classified as one of the most vulnerable species by CITES.

A turtle with its gps beacon returns to the sea

a turtle about to be released

The Turtle Rehabilitation Project, known as the “Turtle Rehabilitation Center“, is funded by the Jumeirah Hotel Group and led by Dr. Barbara Leng-langton. It offers top quality care to turtles in distress, as well as a free stay in the lagoons of a 5-star hotel before releasing them back into their natural environment. Using GPS beacons, turtle movements can be tracked and analyzed. The center regularly releases the turtles when their state of health permits. This initiative is taking a new step with the creation of several additional centers at strategic locations across the country.

A centralized call number, the 800-turtle, makes it possible to report any turtle in danger, thus triggering an intervention by specialized rescue services.

A Reef Restoration Project

During the summit, I had the privilege of discovering the team ofArchireef and his innovative project. This start-up specializes in the restoration of coral reefs using 3D-printed ceramic plates. These porous plates provide an environment conducive to the development of coral polyps. Recently, they were installed off Delma Island, near Abu Dhabi. I also took part in a bio-blitz organized by Archireef from the island of Sir Bani Yas, with the authorization of the Agency for the environment. This participatory science operation makes it possible to identify and catalog marine biodiversity over a short but intense period. The results obtained are essential to assess the general state of health of the different underwater habitats in the region.

Dead Coral Potato in the Arabian Gulf

Various specimens are identified and then cataloged

ARMS system to recover coral polyps

Vriko Yu, Founder and CEO of Archireef, emphasizes the importance of understanding existing biodiversity to positively impact the marine ecosystem. She believes this will facilitate the development of new regulations and encourage other private sector companies to adopt business models that incorporate the need to restore and protect nature.

Despite some heat-tolerant corals, most coral reefs in the region today are covered in algae, giving the impression of an abandoned ghost town. Although you can still admire majestic groupers, it is alarming to note the absence of sharks, rays, moray eels and scorpion fish. Groupers, now largely at the top of the food chain

despite the heat-resilient corals, the region's coral reefs are largely overgrown with algae, reminiscent of a sad image of an abandoned ghost town. Although towering groupers can still be seen, alarmingly there are no sharks, rays, moray eels and scorpionfish. Groupers, now at the top of the food chain, no longer face their natural predators.

In addition, I had the chance to witness the deployment of Autonomous Reef Monitoring Structures (ARMS). These plastic plates anchored in the ground make it possible to monitor the different types of coral polyps that settle between them in specific places, thus providing a better understanding of the coral ecosystem.

To conclude

During this summit, I also had fascinating encounters with various experts, such as specialists in aquaculture in Iran, a committed diver-blogger and even a British adventurer who rowed across the Atlantic to raise awareness of the plastic pollution.

Archireef's Bioblitz team of scientists and volunteers

It is legitimate to wonder if all this is not greenwashing, this tendency to give a misleading ecological image. However, the atmosphere of the summit or Bio-blitz left no room for doubt. I was struck by the number of caring and passionate people I met, from dedicated scientists to ocean lovers. It is important to put things in context: the Gulf region faces significant environmental challenges, and it would be simplistic to underestimate the importance of acting in this region because of its wealth. Beyond the clichés and annoying influencers, the real reality lies in the actions of pioneers striving to make a real difference to the country's ecology.

Photos and article by Christophe Chellapermal