Abu Dhabi: The Environment Agency Abu Dhabi’s (EAD) Jaywun, the most advanced research vessel in the region, has successfully completed the first phase of the Fisheries Resources Assessment Survey in the waters of the United Arab Emirates. The vessel also completed the first-ever comprehensive acoustic survey of the UAE’s waters.
The two-week study was conducted in the Arabian Gulf and the Sea of Oman and used advanced technology to examine underwater ecosystems as well as assess the population and distribution of marine life.
The acoustic survey involves using sound waves to measure the abundance and distribution of fish populations in the ocean. Through analysis, the size, density, and location of fish schools can be determined.
The vessel, manned by a team of EAD UAE nationals in collaboration with international experts, embarked on a remarkable 108-day sea voyage to conduct the survey, covering an impressive 324 sites across the UAE and gathering valuable data that will be used to evaluate the country’s marine resources.
As part of the project, nine UAE nationals were trained, totaling 3,510 hours. Over the course of the expedition, 1,500 samples were collected, enabling researchers to gain crucial insights into the region’s fish species and their habitats.
Furthermore, the research team, in collaboration with G42 and OceanX, accomplished the first eDNA (environmental DNA) baseline and genomic sequencing of fish species in the UAE’s waters. This innovative approach offers a deeper understanding of genetic diversity, allowing for more precise conservation and management strategies in the future.