Latest news with #LifeBelowWater
Hi Dubai
15 hours ago
- Business
- Hi Dubai
DUBAI REEF Initiative Boosts Marine Life and Biodiversity in Local Waters
DUBAI REEF, a large-scale, purpose-built reef project, is already demonstrating measurable ecological benefits in Dubai's coastal waters. Underwater footage from the project's proof-of-concept site reveals an increase in marine activity, with growing habitats and a surge in fish populations. Surveys recorded a notable rise across 15 native species, such as groupers, snappers, and barracuda. The initiative has achieved a 10% boost in marine biodiversity and an eightfold increase in fish biomass, highlighting its early success in restoring marine ecosystems. Launched in 2024, the initiative aims to deploy 20,000 reef modules across 600 km² by 2027, with 39% of the modules already fabricated and 3,660 deployed so far. DUBAI REEF is structured around three pillars: Marine Habitat Restoration, Marine Life Rehabilitation, and Marine Conservation Research. The initiative is part of the Dubai Can sustainability movement and was launched under the direction of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai. It is powered by a public-private partnership that includes DET, DECCA, DP World, Dubai Chambers, Nakheel, PCFC, and Emirates. DUBAI REEF also supports several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including Climate Action (SDG 13), Life Below Water (SDG 14), and Partnerships (SDG 17). News Source: Emirates News Agency
Gulf Today
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Gulf Today
‘Brushes for the Blue' live art by Art4you advocates for marine life
Art4you Gallery, led by curator Jesno Jackson, presented 'Brushes for the Blue', a live art exhibition at Mehromah Art House, Jumeirah, to bring to fore the perils life below water faces (July 13). The exhibition was marked by vivid hues that aligned with the powerful theme upheld by the show. By uniting artists, environmentalists, students and tourists, the event turned art into activism and raised awareness of marine conservation, underlining the escalating catastrophe due to plastic pollution. The eye catching focus of the event were wooden panel boats, specially designed to mimic conventional fishing boats. They functioned as symbolic and realistic canvases for creative expression. The panels, which were created by Jesno Jackson, captured the strong emotional and cultural bonds that exist between humans and water. The boat-shaped constructions were painted onto directly by artists, who used them as storytelling tools to illustrate the fragility and beauty of sea life. The artworks displayed brilliant corals, happy dolphins, elegant sea turtles, and thriving fish, all of which indicated underwater habitats. Painting marine life. However, the positive picture was accompanied by unnerving depictions of habitat destruction, with entangled marine life, floating plastic waste, and environmental impact on stage. The intentional contrast was with a view to prompt action and encourage introspection at the havoc being wrought on oceans and ocean life. Supported by the UN SDG Action Campaign and the Plastic Free July Foundation, the event was a part of the global Plastic Free July movement, tied into SDG 14: Life Below Water. Art4you Gallery strove to demonstrate the vital role art can play in generating awareness and creating behavioral change with the campaign. Rengi Cherian, CEO of Art4you, affirmed that 'we will keep up our mission as visual ambassadors for ocean protection.' Claudia Pinto (Sustainability Advocate and Founder of Empowering Women Middle East), Bouchra Izaabel (Health Advocate), Dr. Heike Lieb-Wilson (Sustainability Advocate, Business Strategist and Charter President of Rotary Eco Club Dubai), and Ahmed Al Heifeiti (Founder, Wadi Dafta Plantation, Fujairah) were among the distinguished guests who graced the occasion. Visitors interacted with artists, learning about the stories behind each artwork, while educational booths disseminated information about the ocean and provided advice on how to live sustainably. Roya Vahidi depicted dolphins dancing across vibrant coral reefs in a serene aquatic landscape. Despite its calm exterior, her picture contained a subliminal call to action to address the growing problem of plastic waste endangering sea life. In a similar vein, Thomas Antony offered a compelling story of redemption in which the next generation takes on the challenge of cleaning contaminated seas, ingeniously recycling trash. Sustainability and group accountability for a cleaner future were at the heart of his message. Boats and their helmsmen. Jaimee Felysee's artwork 'Silent Beauty' used jellyfish as a metaphor for the elegance and underappreciated function of aquatic life. Her artwork was a poetic ode to marine life, aiming to provoke thought and action. Natallia Venerova, who actively participates in Plastic Free July by using her paintings to promote SDG 14 and ocean conservation, highlighted the power of beauty to inspire change. With the title 'Voice for the Voiceless', Nithin Umesh's artwork highlighted marine life that is unable to communicate for itself, such as coral, plankton, whales, and sea turtles. His work emphasised the significance of standing up for them and acting quickly to prevent man-made damage to their ecosystems. A thoughtful picture by Fatimeh Habibollah invited spectators to appreciate the sea's serene beauty, pointing out the precarious balance it upholds. A fish imprisoned in a plastic bag was depicted in Jeevan Oroolu Veettil's 'In Life, But Not Living ... Free Plastic'. As a devastating warning that every discarded item has baneful side effects, the image symbolised suffocation brought by human neglect. Parisa Keramati, meanwhile, combined science and art after studying the use of microbes to extract mercury from water. Her research exposed heavy metals' lethal yet undetectable effects on marine ecosystems. In the illustration by Reem Al Subiae, Earth was held by a mermaid deep underwater. It signified appreciation for our world. She used a mystical method to convey how inner beauty and art can unite us with Nature. Jesno Jackson painted colourful marine creatures to highlight the threat of plastic pollution, supporting SDG 14 and the Plastic Free July campaign. Avigyan Bhattacharya painted coral reefs with natural hues and a palette knife. His complex paintings hailed the tenacity of his subject and called for group efforts to protect them. Dahana Salem emphasised water's essential function as Earth's lifeline and a source of genuine beauty in her vision of an unspoiled oceanic paradise. The delicate balance between myth and reality beneath the waters was symbolised by Mana Razeghi's presentation of a mermaid with a shark and jellyfish. She advocated for respect for marine life and sustainability. By depicting dolphins flowing freely through the ocean, Naseem Abdo Othman celebrated harmony and joy, while serving as a reminder of the value of ocean protection. Self-portraits and colourful marine life were combined in Noreen Nawab's artwork, representing the close bond between people and the ocean. Her assay was a self-evident plea to preserve marine environments, which are an extension of ourselves. Artist Kumar Chadayamangalam summed up the experience. 'It felt like I was painting for the ocean itself,' he said, encapsulating the strong emotional bond that exists between the sea and artists. As the artists painted the waves and let water speak, they made their social roles clear.
Observer
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Observer
Oman highlights oceans role as carbon sinks
NICE: At the behest of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, Dr Abdullah bin Ali al Amri, Chairman of the Environment Authority, is taking part in the third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) held in Nice, France. In Oman's speech, Dr Al Amri highlighted the Sultanate of Oman's pioneering efforts in preserving marine environments, protecting oceans and safeguarding marine biodiversity in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He noted that Oman was among the first countries to prioritise environmental protection, having issued 'the first legislation to protect marine environments from pollution" 53 years ago. The country has also established 'marine protected areas" spanning over 90,000 square kilometres to protect endangered species such as humpback whales and sea turtles. Additionally, Oman has banned all types of plastic shopping bags and set 2050 as its target year for achieving net-zero emissions. He pointed out that Oman launched the 'Oman Blue Carbon Project" to plant 100 million mangrove trees, aimed at carbon sequestration and protecting coastal ecosystems. These efforts have earned Oman high rankings in global environmental assessments. Furthermore, Oman was elected President of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) for its seventh session. He reaffirmed Oman's commitment to supporting "SDG 14", which focuses on conserving oceans and marine resources, including backing the 'Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement." Dr Al Amri also emphasised the need to remind the international community of the oceans' critical role as 'a major carbon sink," stressing Oman's dedication to supporting global efforts to maintain ocean health and sustain marine biodiversity. The conference's agenda included an opening session where Oman presented its national statement, outlining its stance on global marine issues while reaffirming support for SDG 14 (Life Below Water) and the Nice Action Plan. The five-day conference features 10 parallel high-level sessions (Ocean Action Panels) addressing various topics, including marine and coastal ecosystems, marine science and capacity-building, ocean financing and climate action. The event also includes exhibitions, side events, and cultural, educational, economic and scientific activities. The third UN Ocean Conference, running until June 13, aims to accelerate global action to protect oceans and achieve SDG 14 (Life Below Water). — ONA
Muscat Daily
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Muscat Daily
Oman reaffirms ocean protection pledge at UN Ocean Conference
Muscat – Reaffirming its steadfast commitment to ocean conservation and marine sustainability, Oman is taking part in the third United Nations Ocean Conference, currently underway in Nice, France. Delegated by His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, Dr Abdullah bin Ali al Amri, Chairman of the Environment Authority, is representing Oman at the high-level event, which runs until Friday. The conclave brings together world leaders, policymakers, and environmental experts to accelerate global efforts to protect the world's oceans under the Sustainable Development Goal 14 (Life Below Water). The five-day conference features 10 parallel Ocean Action Panels (OAPs) and plenary sessions focusing on key themes including marine and coastal ecosystems, ocean science and capacity building, finance and climate action, alongside exhibitions, side events, and cultural, educational and scientific activities. In his address to the conference, Amri spotlighted Oman's pioneering efforts to safeguard marine biodiversity and ecosystems. He recalled that Oman was among the first countries to legislate protection of the marine environment, having enacted its first such law 53 years ago. 'Oman has declared marine nature reserves spanning more than 90,000sqkm to protect endangered species such as humpback whales, sea turtles and coral reefs,' he said. He also noted the nationwide ban on plastic shopping bags and the country's ambitious target of achieving net-zero pollution by 2050. Among Oman's flagship initiatives, Amri highlighted the 'Oman Blue Carbon' project, which aims to plant 100mn mangrove trees to boost carbon sequestration and enhance coastal resilience. These sustained efforts, he said, have positioned Oman among the world's leading nations in marine protection stringency and biodiversity conservation. He also underlined Oman's growing leadership on the global environmental stage, citing its recent election as President of the United Nations Environment Assembly during its seventh session. Amri reiterated Oman's unwavering support for SDG 14 and international marine agreements, including the Convention on Biological Diversity Beyond National Jurisdictions (BBNJ). He emphasised the role of oceans as a major regulator of the global carbon cycle and called for renewed international cooperation to preserve ocean health and marine life for future generations. The sultanate also delivered a national statement during the opening session of the conference, reaffirming its support for the Nice Plan of Action and shared global commitments to protect 'Life Below Water'.
Observer
30-05-2025
- Business
- Observer
Seaweed farming can support Oman's blue economy, climate goals
MUSCAT: Oman's Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources is supporting a private-led initiative to explore the feasibility of large-scale seaweed cultivation, aimed at driving the growth of various economic activities related to climate mitigation, sustainable fuels, food security and biodiversity enhancement. Leading the initiative is NTZ Solutions, a local Omani firm focused on delivering innovative solutions in carbon capture, waste management and sustainability — centric human capital development. The company is credited with establishing the GCC's first commercial-scale biochar production facility, currently operational in Barka. With funding support from MedcoEnergi — an Indonesian state-owned energy and natural resources development enterprise — work has commenced on a pilot project designed to assess the overall feasibility and scope of large-scale seaweed cultivation in Oman. Speaking at an energy forum held in Muscat earlier in May, representatives of NTZ Solutions and MedcoEnergi shared insights on seaweed cultivation as an 'innovative nature-based solution' to some of the most urgent global challenges. 'We never imagined seaweed could become a solution to the global crises we're currently facing,' said Johan Despurwantoro, Sustainability and Risk Management Specialist at MedcoEnergi. 'But the question is — why should we return to nature? Because nature-based solutions are not just environmentally relevant but also economically powerful.' According to Despurwantoro, seaweed can contribute to poverty reduction, improve food security and serve as a nutritious food alternative. It can offset carbon emissions by replacing synthetic inputs, enhance ecosystem resilience and directly sequester carbon. Seaweed cultivation, he added, has the potential to unlock an extended value chain — from cultivation and logistics to industrial processing — creating significant employment opportunities at both local and regional levels. At the same time, it can advance Oman's progress on several UN Sustainable Development Goals, notably SDG 14 (Life Below Water), SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 2 (Zero Hunger). Notably, a six-month pilot project was recently launched by the two partners in collaboration with the Ministry to assess the year-round viability of seaweed cultivation in Oman's coastal waters, Despurwantoro stated. A team of experts from NTZ Solutions and MedcoEnergi is currently evaluating the consistency of cultivation and identifying ideal conditions for selected native species. A key member of the team is Kamaruddin Azis, Project Facilitator at the COMMIT Foundation. In an update on the pilot, Kawther al Harrasi, Programme Manager at NTZ Solutions, revealed that the company has secured a pilot site within the Ministry's research facility at Bandar Al Rowdha in Muscat. Of the 12 native seaweed species initially studied, six — Ulva, Codium, Sargassum, Kerva, Hypnea and Gracilaria — were selected for their commercial value. These species are already utilised globally in the food and beverage, pharmaceutical, cosmetics and agriculture industries, she explained. In the next phase of the project, the focus will shift to scaling up production to support the development of high-value products such as agar, carrageenan, bioplastics and pharmaceutical ingredients. Kawther noted that seaweed can also play a major role in carbon sequestration. In her presentation, she further emphasised the significant knock-on effects of seaweed cultivation for Oman's blue economy growth strategy. Beyond the direct economic benefits, seaweed farming can contribute to job creation, in-country value generation and biodiversity enhancement, she added. HIGHLIGHTS Seaweed cultivation has the potential to unlock an extended value chain from cultivation and logistics to industrial processing
