Abu Dhabi is planning to more than double the area of its marine ecological reserves as part of an ongoing programme to safeguard its natural resources and protect the environment, the emirate’s environment body has said.
The Abu Dhabi Environment Authority said the reserves would be extended from around five per cent of the emirate’s naval areas to 12 per cent in 2014.
Releasing its annual report this week, the Authority said the Abu Dhabi Executive Council had given the green light for such projects, which include mainly the expansion of marine reserves of Yasat and nearby islands.
“Work is under way to designate these reserves, which are targeted to reach 12 per cent of the marine areas…the plan is intended to protect eco-diversity and preserve the emirate’s marine ecology and coastal environment,” it said.