Abu Dhabi Coral Gardens: Middle East’s Largest Reef Restoration Project

abu dhabi, coral, coral reef, reef restoration

The Abu Dhabi Coral Gardens Initiative is a visionary large-scale coral reef restoration project initiated by the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) under the direction of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Running from 2025 to 2030, it is the largest coral reef rehabilitation effort in the Middle East, aiming to revive marine ecosystems across Abu Dhabi's coastal and offshore waters.

“The Abu Dhabi initiative aims to create coral gardens in the emirate by deploying 40,000 artificial reef modules made of environmentally durable materials and designed in different shapes and sizes to support the growth and reproduction of marine organisms. The coral gardens will extend over a total area of 1,200 square kilometres, equivalent to approximately 200,000 football pitches, in Abu Dhabi’s coastal and deep waters, especially in areas devoid of coral reef or seagrass habitats.”

Abu Dhabi Media Office

Quick Facts

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How Abu Dhabi is Restoring Coral Reefs in the World's Warmest Sea

To restore the marine ecosystem, eco-friendly reef modules made of marine-safe materials are used. These structures replicate natural coral formations, providing critical habitat for reef fish, invertebrates, crustaceans, and other key marine organisms.

The modules are seeded with heat-resilient coral fragments cultivated in nurseries. These corals are selected to thrive in the Arabian Gulf—one of the world’s warmest marine environments, where summer water temperatures regularly exceed 35°C.

Pilot phases from 2020–2023 showed 95% coral survival and 50%+ increase in fish biomass, demonstrating the project’s early success.

Which coral are Used?

Biodiversity and Ecosystem Impact

Over 8 reef restoration sites across Abu Dhabi have already demonstrated major ecological benefits, including:

Increased marine biodiversity
Enhanced reef structure and complexity
Creation of nursery and shelter habitats for juvenile species
Strengthened coastal resilience against erosion and wave energy

These coral gardens are also acting as natural fish breeding grounds, boosting ecological productivity and food chain balance.

👉 Read more about how coral reefs contribute to increased biodiversity and coastal protection.

Strategic Goals & Global Relevance

The project serves as a scalable model for coral reef conservation, particularly in harsh, warm-water environments like the Arabian Gulf.

The initiative aligns with:

🌱 UAE’s Net Zero 2050 climate goals
🌊 UN Sustainable Development Goal 14: Life Below Water
🇦🇪 Abu Dhabi’s marine sustainability and blue economy development strategy

Key Highlights

🌡️ Climate-adapted corals: Among the most heat-tolerant globally
⚙️ Modular reef design: Scalable, replicable, deployable at various depths
📈 Blue economy value: Promotes fisheries, eco-tourism & sustainable jobs

Visiting & Volunteering

where is the project

Coral garden initiative projects is located in Abu Dhabi’s coastal and offshore waters, especially near Al Dhafra Region.

Can we get involved?

The project is currently government-led, but long-term public engagement opportunities are expected. Citizen science diving, educational outreach, and volunteer marine activities may become available through project partners such as:

If you’re passionate about coral conservation in the UAE, stay tuned for potential ways to contribute or visit the reef areas via eco-tourism experiences in the future.