Are the coral reefs essential for the UAE’s tourist economy in terms of attracting divers?
Yes, but they’re not only important for the tourist economy. 25 per cent of our fi sh stock depends on the coral reefs. They also protect our coastlines by reducing currents and waves. And several products for treatments against asthma, cancer, heart disease and AIDS are produced from corals. Who knows what other opportunities there are for developing future life-saving and important medicine from corals? Presumably the government is taking this very seriously? Both Abu Dhabi and Dubai take the protection of the environment, their coastal areas and ecosystems very seriously and it’s important for everyone to work together. The Coral Reef Conservation Management Plan [to protect the coral reefs] is a good example of a successful collaboration between researchers from the Environment Agency, Abu Dhabi, Qatar’s Supreme Council for the Environment and Natural Resources. It was sponsored by Dolphin Energy Limited and managed by the UAE’s Emirates Wildlife Society (EWS) and the regional bran
