Responsibility
Marine Conservation in the UAE
The reefs, turtles, and coastal ecosystems that make UAE water sports special are under real pressure. Here's how we can protect them.
The State of UAE Marine Ecosystems
The UAE sits at the intersection of two distinct marine environments: the warm, hypersaline Arabian Gulf to the west and the cleaner, more open Gulf of Oman to the east. Both support extraordinary biodiversity — but both are under significant and accelerating pressure.
The Arabian Gulf is one of the world's most thermally stressed marine environments. Summer sea surface temperatures already exceed 34°C — near the absolute tolerance limit for tropical coral. Climate change is pushing those peaks higher. The Gulf has lost an estimated 30–50% of its coral cover since the 1990s.
The East Coast (Gulf of Oman) is in better condition — lower temperatures, better flushing, and less development pressure have preserved healthier reef systems around Fujairah, Dibba, and the Musandam peninsula. Snoopy Island, Martini Rock, and the Musandam fjords remain world-class dive and snorkel destinations. But these systems are not immune.
The UAE is also home to the world's largest known population of dugongs — concentrated in Abu Dhabi's Marawah Marine Biosphere Reserve — as well as five species of sea turtle (all endangered), whale sharks, manta rays, and over 800 species of fish. What we do on the water directly affects these animals.
Key Threats to UAE Marine Life
Coral Bleaching
Rising sea temperatures cause coral polyps to expel their symbiotic algae, turning reefs white and eventually killing them. The Arabian Gulf has experienced significant bleaching events, particularly in 2017 and 2024.
Coastal Development
Rapid coastal construction across the UAE has destroyed or degraded shallow seagrass beds and reef habitats. Palm Jumeirah and similar reclamation projects permanently altered significant areas of Gulf seabed.
Anchor Damage
Boat anchors dragged across coral reefs cause irreversible physical damage. A single anchor can destroy decades of coral growth in seconds.
Chemical Sunscreen
Oxybenzone and octinoxate — common sunscreen chemicals — are directly toxic to coral. Studies show concentrations as low as one drop per 4.5 million litres of seawater cause coral bleaching.
Overfishing
The removal of key species like sharks, grouper, and parrotfish disrupts reef ecology. Parrotfish are particularly critical — they graze algae that would otherwise smother coral.
Marine Litter
Plastic waste in UAE waters entangles sea turtles, is ingested by dugongs, and smothers reef organisms. Single-use plastics are a particular problem around popular beaches.
Responsible Watersports Guidelines
Small changes in how we use the ocean make a real difference at scale.
🤿 Diving & Snorkelling
- ✓Never touch coral — even lightly. Coral polyps are living animals; contact kills them.
- ✓Maintain neutral buoyancy to avoid accidentally kicking the reef with fins.
- ✓Do not chase, ride, or harass marine life, including turtles and sharks.
- ✓Use reef-safe sunscreen (mineral only: zinc oxide or titanium dioxide).
- ✓Never collect shells, coral fragments, or any living organisms.
- ✓Report coral bleaching or damage to the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi or Fujairah Municipality.
🏄 Surfing & SUP
- ✓Don't surf over exposed reef — beyond wave safety, contact damages fragile coral.
- ✓Use reef-safe sunscreen when surfing or paddling near coral areas.
- ✓Avoid disturbing nesting seabirds on rocky outcrops and headlands.
- ✓Take all litter back to shore, including wax paper and energy bar wrappers.
- ✓Avoid paddling through seagrass beds — they are critical nursery habitat.
🪁 Kitesurfing & Wing Foiling
- ✓Avoid launching or landing near nesting beaches (particularly turtle nesting season: May–October).
- ✓Stay clear of mangrove areas when kitesurfing — kite lines can damage the canopy.
- ✓Avoid shallow seagrass lagoons where possible; foils and fins can uproot seagrass.
- ✓Follow designated kite zones — these are set partly to protect sensitive areas.
Switch to Reef-Safe Sunscreen
Chemical sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate are directly harmful to coral — even in minute concentrations. When snorkelling or diving over reef, use only mineral sunscreens containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. Look for the words “reef-safe” or “reef-friendly” on the bottle. Brands available in UAE include Badger, Stream2Sea, and Raw Elements.
Conservation Organisations in the UAE
Support or volunteer with these organisations doing active conservation work.
Emirates Marine Environmental Group (EMEG)
The UAE's leading marine conservation NGO. Runs regular reef surveys, cleanup dives, and turtle monitoring programmes. Volunteers welcome.
Visit website →Environment Agency Abu Dhabi (EAD)
Government body overseeing marine protected areas in Abu Dhabi, including Marawah Marine Biosphere Reserve — home to the world's largest dugong population.
Visit website →Emirates Nature-WWF
WWF's UAE chapter runs campaigns on plastic pollution, sustainable fisheries, and climate impacts on Gulf marine ecosystems.
Visit website →AWARE Foundation
PADI's ocean conservation arm. Many UAE dive shops run Project AWARE dives and Dive Against Debris surveys that contribute to global marine litter databases.
Visit website →Paddle, Dive, Kite — Responsibly
The UAE's marine environment is what makes these sports extraordinary. It's worth protecting. Start by choosing reef-safe products, following responsible watersports guidelines, and supporting local conservation groups.