The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) has unveiled the Hamdan bin Zayed: The World’s Richest Seas initiative, an ambitious programme designed to significantly increase fish stocks in the emirate. The initiative aims to make Abu Dhabi one of the regions with the highest fish density globally by 2030.
.@EADTweets has launched the Hamdan bin Zayed: The World’s Richest Seas initiative to achieve one of the highest fish stock densities globally by 2030, coinciding with Abu Dhabi reaching 100 per cent on the Sustainable Fishing Index by the end of 2025. pic.twitter.com/akyGfZB51F
— مكتب أبوظبي الإعلامي (@ADMediaOffice) February 4, 2026
The announcement coincided with the UAE’s National Environment Day and marked a major milestone for Abu Dhabi’s marine sustainability efforts. By the end of 2025, the emirate achieved 100 per cent in the Sustainable Fishing Index, a remarkable leap from just 8 per cent in 2018.
The programme was highlighted during the meeting of the Global Councils for Sustainable Development Goals, held on the sidelines of the World Governments Summit 2026, and chaired by Ohood bint Khalfan Al Roumi, UAE Minister of State for Government Development and the Future, and Chair of the Global Councils for Sustainable Development Goals.
The initiative underlines Abu Dhabi’s commitment to safeguarding marine biodiversity, promoting sustainable fishing practices, and positioning the emirate as a global benchmark in marine conservation.
