Coral Reefs of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates: Analysis of Management Approaches in Light of International Best Practices and a Changing Climate

The coasts and islands that flank Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates (UAE)’s largest
emirate, host the country’s most significant coastal and marine habitats including coral
reefs. These reefs, although subject to a variety of pressures from urban and industrial
encroachment and climate change, exhibit the highest thresholds for coral bleaching
and mortality in the world. By reviewing and benchmarking global, regional and local
coral reef conservation efforts, this study highlights the ecological importance and
economic uniqueness of the UAE corals in light of the changing climate. The analysis
provides a set of recommendations for coral reef management that includes an adapted
institutional framework bringing together stakeholders, scientists, and managers. These
recommendations are provided to guide coral reef conservation efforts regionally and in
jurisdictions with comparable environmental challenges.