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Gulf Coral Research Cruise Will Lead To Long-Term Reef Protection
Bi-National Team Visits Coral Formations along Qatar Coast
Three Year Sponsored Project by Dolphin Energy
Scientists from Qatar and the UAE this week completed the first-ever joint scientific research cruise to study coral reefs in the Arabian Gulf.
The seven-day cruise, which ended on September 24, was a collaboration between researchers from Qatar’s Supreme Council for the Environment and Natural Reserves (SCENR) and the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD), formerly known as ERWDA, to examine threatened coral habitats in the waters of Qatar and Abu Dhabi.
The assessment is part of a three-year project - “Inventory and Mapping: Coral Reefs of Abu Dhabi and Eastern Qatar” - sponsored by Dolphin Energy Limited and managed by the UAE’s Emirates Wildlife Society and the regional branch of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). The overall goal is to map the reefs and to develop a comprehensive conservation and management programme for coral ecosystems.
Ten scientists from SCENR and EAD have been chosen to receive on the job training during the three-year project period, and the cruise was an important field training session for them.
During the cruise, the Dolphin team and the researchers visited 20 shoals, reefs and islands, with four teams making two diving trips per day – a total of 80 dives. The best coral growth was found on Halul, Sir Abu Nuair, Ras Ghanada, and inside the protected areas of the UAE.
Graham Rae, Vice President QHSE at Dolphin Energy stated: “The project to study and map corals in the UAE and Qatar is an excellent case of collaboration to protect the region’s environment.
“Dolphin will be transporting natural gas from Qatar to the UAE at the end of 2006. There is coral around some areas where Dolphin facilities are being constructed – it is a vital part of our environment management program that this coral is conserved and protected in every possible way, for the benefit of future generations.”
Hassan Al-Qasmi, Assistant Director of Technical Affairs, at SCENR said: “During the cruise, the teams studied coral cover, species diversity and level of recovery of degraded reefs. Groundtruthing, or confirming the accuracy of reefs mapped using aerial surveys, was another purpose. SCENR is pleased to have the opportunity to train under experts in the field.”
Dr. Thabit Zahran Al Abdessalaam, Director of the Marine Environment Research Centre of EAD explained: “ Abu Dhabi’s offshore islands support extensive reefs that need to be protected against natural and man-induced disturbances. A project such as this is critical for the development and implementation of a management plan to conserve our coastal marine resources, particularly corals.”
Razan Al Mubarak, Managing Director, Emirates Wildlife Society added: “It is our mission to help preserve the precious natural resources that face rapidly escalating developmental pressures. Marine resources are a high priority for the EWS/WWF-UAE conservation programme, and we gratefully acknowledge the generous support of Dolphin Energy.”
A documentary film of the project, from inception to completion, is also being prepared, including underwater filming of corals and associated marine life.
Dolphin Energy Limited
Dolphin Energy Limited was created to develop substantial energy projects throughout the GCC. Its objective is to create long-term economic wealth and new business opportunities for GCC citizens, far into the future. Dolphin Energy’s major strategic initiative, the Dolphin Project, involves the production and processing of natural gas from Qatar’s North Field, and transportation of the dry gas by sub-sea pipeline across joint UAE-Qatari waters to the UAE, beginning in 2006.
Dolphin Energy’s first initiative, the Al Ain to Fujairah Pipeline, came on stream in January 2004.The pipeline supplies the Fujairah Water and Power Plant on the UAE’s East Coast – initially with natural gas from Oman, and subsequently with Dolphin gas from Qatar. In May 2005, Dolphin began to supply natural gas to the UAE Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah. The gas is being delivered via a tie-in near Qidfa between Dolphin’s Al Ain - Fujairah pipeline and the existing Emarat gas pipeline network.
Dolphin Energy is owned 51 percent by Mubadala Development Company, on behalf of the Government of Abu Dhabi – and 24.5 percent each by Total of France and Occidental Petroleum of the USA.
Detailed information about Dolphin Energy can be found on www.dolphinenergy.com
For further information contact:
Mirna Hijazi
Corporate Communications Manager
Tel +971 2 6995500
Fax +971 2 6995578