The new marine initiative aims to increase fish stocks and biodiversity, making Abu Dhabi’s seas among the world’s richest.

ABU DHABI: The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi has launched a landmark initiative titled “Hamdan bin Zayed: The World’s Richest Seas”, unveiled during the World Government Summit 2026. The programme aims to make Abu Dhabi’s waters among the most biologically productive in the world by 2030.

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The announcement marked UAE National Environment Day and celebrated a milestone achievement: a 100 percent score in the Sustainable Fishing Index by 2025, up from 8 percent in 2018. The progress highlights the emirate’s success in adopting science-led regulatory strategies to safeguard marine ecosystems and bolster food security.

The 2030 plan under the world’s richest seas initiative includes large-scale restoration efforts such as Abu Dhabi Coral Gardens, which will deploy 80,000 artificial reef modules and cultivate four million coral colonies. It also supports the Abu Dhabi Mangrove Initiative, targeting the planting of 50 million mangrove trees to reinforce coastal protection and enhance biodiversity.

According to H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the initiative represents a strategic step in building a sustainable marine ecosystem. “This approach balances sea productivity with ecosystem preservation and supports future food security,” he said.

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Backed by AI technology and advanced monitoring, the initiative identifies optimal marine development zones and supports protected area expansion. By 2030, 20 percent of Abu Dhabi’s territory will be designated for marine conservation.

Officials say this transformative marine programme aligns with international standards and reflects the UAE’s leadership in fisheries management. It also showcases the success of EAD’s regulatory model in raising fish stock density, improving biodiversity and securing renewable food sources.

The world’s richest seas initiative positions Abu Dhabi as a global reference in marine conservation and sustainable fisheries management.