Abu Dhabi: Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council, has visited Jaywun, the UAE’s first marine research vessel of its kind, which was commissioned by the Environment Agency of Abu Dhabi (EAD).
During the visit, Sheikh Khaled reviewed the vessel’s cutting-edge research equipment and laboratories. The Crown Prince met with Emirati crew, marine scientists, and researchers who are doing research as part of EAD’s Ocean World Discovery project, which will monitor and assess marine biodiversity.
Sheikh Khaled was accompanied by Ms. Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, Managing Director of EAD, and Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary General of EAD.
Jaywun is testament to the commitment of Abu Dhabi’s leadership to supporting science in the study of oceans, the sustainability of marine environments, and the preservation of healthy aquatic ecosystems. It will also contribute to understanding the impacts of climate change, in order to develop appropriate solutions to address this pressing challenge.
Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary General of EAD, shared.
The 50-meter vessel will operate in the UAE’s territorial waters as well as allow EAD to study marine environments and fisheries in waters deeper than 10 meters.
The vessel will berth approximately 30 people and feature a remotely operated submarine vehicle as well as six fully equipped laboratories to study marine samples.
The new vessel will support efforts to maintain the biodiversity and resources of the UAE by conducting comprehensive surveys across fisheries, coral reefs, seagrass habitats, and deep-water marine environments.
Furthermore, the vessel will play an important role in developing strategies and management plans to ensure the recovery and sustainability of fish stocks.
Jaywun will support several EAD environmental initiatives, including the Blue Carbon Assessment Project for Oceanic Fisheries, the first oceanic blue carbon fisheries assessment survey in the region. The survey project was created to support the UAE’s strategic initiative to achieve climate neutrality by 2050 and will be conducted in the country’s waters.