{"id":260802,"date":"2025-11-04T10:12:08","date_gmt":"2025-11-04T10:12:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/260802\/"},"modified":"2025-11-04T10:12:08","modified_gmt":"2025-11-04T10:12:08","slug":"under-pressure-fujairah-divers-coral-project-battles-effects-of-climate-change","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/260802\/","title":{"rendered":"Under pressure: Fujairah divers’ coral project battles effects of climate change"},"content":{"rendered":"

A project to revive the country’s marine species is paying dividends but more needs to be done to mitigate the impact of pollution on the UAE’s coral reefs<\/a>, an expert said.<\/p>\n

During the Covid-19 pandemic, Marine Owen, co-owner of Freestyle Divers, realised there was no more time to waste to offset the effects of climate change.<\/p>\n

“When I went for the first dive after the Covid lockdown and I saw how amazing it was in the water, that’s when it hit me that, as humans, we have a negative impact on the environment,” she said. <\/p>\n

“The dive site [in Fujairah] is great but after the lockdown, with no one around, the visibility was amazing. There were a lot more fish than usual, and I could really see the difference.”<\/p>\n

The National joined the team and volunteers on a dive to a coral nursery 4km south of Dibba Rock, off the town of Dibba, to witness their work.<\/p>\n

Reef restoration in action<\/p>\n

The corals planted on the dive are a small part of Freestyle Divers’ goal to plant 24,000 this year. The group has been leading the Project REEFrame since 2021. <\/p>\n

The aim is to create thriving natural habitats in seawater suitable for coral, but where reefs would not naturally develop due to the scarcity of rocky outcrops where they can grow.<\/p>\n

When The National joined the dive, nine divers were part of the team assisting the start of a new nursery, where participants were taught to attach coral correctly to a steel frame. <\/p>\n

The steel frame is submerged and secured to the artificial reef structure by the divers. The day before, naturally broken coral was collected and had to be kept underwater to avoid it drying out, meaning the planting process had to be swift.<\/p>\n

“We had the right people, we had the right resources, we had the right technology, the equipment, and we could make that happen in real life,\u201d said Venkatasubramanian Hariharan, managing director of Canon Middle East & Turkey, which has launched a two-year partnership with Freestyle Divers to support their efforts.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd we’ll be very happy that the 63 corals that were tied to the frame today will eventually get bigger and better and contribute, which is the whole purpose.\u201d<\/p>\n

Not only do coral reefs offer crucial shelter for marine species, they also boost the economy because of the tourism potential for divers, said Ms Owen.<\/p>\n

Local shores<\/p>\n

While the issue around the damage caused to coral reefs by climate change is a global one, there are problems that are specific to the Middle East, said Darryl Owen, co-owner and chief executive of Freestyle Divers.<\/p>\n

The Environment Agency Abu Dhabi lists manmade activities as dangerous to reefs and says 50 per cent of corals have been destroyed in the past 30 years.<\/p>\n

“We would love to do coral restoration on the west coast but we have issues with sedimentary pollution,” he said. \u201cWe’ve had 40 years of construction and it has created dust. The sea is used to having dust from the desert but with dredging and construction we have created a lot more than the ocean can cope with. <\/p>\n

\u201cIt has created silt on the ocean floor and the reef growth system is basically designed to help us store multiple ecosystems in that environment.”<\/p>\n

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pocketsSkoda Superb Specs<\/p>\n

Engine: 2-litre TSI petrol<\/p>\n

Power: 190hp<\/p>\n

Torque: 320Nm<\/p>\n

Price: From Dh147,000<\/p>\n

Available: Now<\/p>\n

Our legal consultant<\/p>\n

Name:\u00a0Hassan Mohsen Elhais<\/p>\n

Position:\u00a0legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.<\/p>\n

If you go<\/p>\n

The flights
There are various ways of getting to the southern Serengeti in Tanzania from the UAE. The exact route and airstrip depends on your overall trip itinerary and which camp you\u2019re staying at.\u00a0
Flydubai<\/a>\u00a0flies direct from Dubai to Kilimanjaro International Airport from Dh1,350 return, including taxes; this can be followed by a short flight from Kilimanjaro to the Serengeti with Coastal Aviation<\/a> from about US$700 (Dh2,500) return, including taxes. Kenya Airways<\/a>, Emirates<\/a>\u00a0and Etihad<\/a>\u00a0offer flights via Nairobi or Dar es Salaam. \u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

The%20specs<\/p>\n

%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPowertrain%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESingle%20electric%20motor%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E201hp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E310Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESingle-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBattery%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E53kWh%20lithium-ion%20battery%20pack%20(GS%20base%20model)%3B%2070kWh%20battery%20pack%20(GF)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETouring%20range%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E350km%20(GS)%3B%20480km%20(GF)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh129%2C900%20(GS)%3B%20Dh149%2C000%20(GF)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A<\/p>\n

Tips for job-seekers
\n\tDo not submit your application through the Easy Apply button on LinkedIn. Employers receive between 600 and 800 replies for each job advert on the platform. If you are the right fit for a job, connect to a relevant person in the company on LinkedIn and send them a direct message.
\n\tMake sure you are an exact fit for the job advertised. If you are an HR manager with five years\u2019 experience in retail and the job requires a\u00a0similar candidate with five years\u2019 experience in consumer, you should apply. But if you have no experience in HR, do not apply for the job.<\/p>\n

David Mackenzie, founder of recruitment agency Mackenzie Jones Middle East<\/p>\n

GAC GS8 Specs<\/p>\n

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo<\/p>\n

Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm<\/p>\n

Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm<\/p>\n

Transmission: 8-speed auto<\/p>\n

Fuel consumption: 9.1L\/100km<\/p>\n

On sale: Now<\/p>\n

Price: From Dh149,900<\/p>\n

Singham Again<\/p>\n

Director: Rohit Shetty<\/p>\n

Stars: Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ranveer Singh, Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff, Deepika Padukone<\/p>\n

Rating: 3\/5<\/p>\n

Know before you go
\n\tJebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It\u2019s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4×4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
\n\tIf you\u2019re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
\n\tBy air: Budget airlines Air\u00a0Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
\n\tTourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om<\/a>. The process typically takes several days.
\n\tFlash floods are probable\u00a0due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won\u2019t be overtaken by sudden downpours.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

If you go<\/p>\n

The flights<\/p>\n

Etihad<\/a>\u00a0and Emirates<\/a>\u00a0fly direct from the UAE to Chicago from Dh5,215 return including taxes.<\/p>\n

The hotels<\/p>\n

Recommended hotels include\u00a0the Intercontinental Chicago Magnificent Mile<\/a>, located in an iconic skyscraper complete with a 1929 Olympic-size swimming pool\u00a0from\u00a0US$299 (Dh1,100) per night including taxes, and the Omni Chicago Hotel<\/a>, an excellent value downtown address with elegant art deco furnishings and an excellent in-house restaurant. Rooms from US$239 (Dh877) per night including taxes.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The%20Killer<\/p>\n

%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%C2%A0%3C%2Fstrong%3EDavid%20Fincher%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%C2%A0%3C%2Fstrong%3EMichael%20Fassbender%2C%20Tilda%20Swinton%2C%20Charles%20Parnell%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A<\/p>\n

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pocketsThe specs: 2018 Renault Koleos<\/p>\n

Price, base: From Dh77,900
Engine: 2.5L, in-line four-cylinder
Transmission: Continuously variable transmission
Power: 170hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 233Nm @ 4,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 8.3L \/ 100km<\/p>\n

COMPANY%20PROFILE<\/p>\n

%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Revibe%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202022%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Hamza%20Iraqui%20and%20Abdessamad%20Ben%20Zakour%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20UAE%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Refurbished%20electronics%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunds%20raised%20so%20far%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%2410m%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFlat6Labs%2C%20Resonance%20and%20various%20others%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A<\/p>\n

More from Rashmee Roshan LallCOMPANY PROFILE<\/p>\n

Name: Qyubic
Started: October 2023
Founder: Namrata Raina
Based: Dubai
Sector: E-commerce
Current number of staff: 10
Investment stage: Pre-seed
Initial investment: Undisclosed\u00a0<\/p>\n

The specs<\/p>\n

Engine: 3.0-litre flat-six twin-turbocharged<\/p>\n

Transmission: eight-speed PDK automatic<\/p>\n

Power: 445bhp<\/p>\n

Torque: 530Nm<\/p>\n

Price: Dh474,600<\/p>\n

On Sale: Now<\/p>\n

French business<\/p>\n

France has organised a delegation of leading businesses to travel to Syria. The group was led by French shipping giant CMA CGM<\/a>, which struck a 30-year contract in May with the Syrian government to develop and run Latakia port. Also present were water and waste management company Suez, defence multinational Thales, and Ellipse Group, which is currently looking into rehabilitating Syrian hospitals.<\/p>\n

Specs<\/p>\n

Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)<\/p>\n

Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)<\/p>\n

Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)<\/p>\n

On sale: Now<\/p>\n

Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)<\/p>\n

Company%20profile<\/p>\n

%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Letswork%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202018%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EOmar%20Almheiri%2C%20Hamza%20Khan%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20co-working%20spaces%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%242.1%20million%20in%20a%20seed%20round%20with%20investors%20including%20500%20Global%2C%20The%20Space%2C%20DTEC%20Ventures%20and%20other%20angel%20investors%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20about%2020%3C%2Fp%3E%0A<\/p>\n

Silent Hill f <\/p>\n

Publisher: Konami<\/p>\n

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X\/S, PC<\/p>\n

Rating: 4.5\/5<\/p>\n

Tamkeen’s offering
\nOption 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
\nOption 2:\u00a050% across three years
\nOption 3:\u00a030% across five years\u00a0
\nThe National’s picks<\/p>\n

4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young<\/p>\n

The stats: 2017 Jaguar XJ<\/p>\n

Price, base \/ as tested Dh326,700 \/ Dh342,700<\/p>\n

Engine 3.0L V6<\/p>\n

Transmission Eight-speed automatic<\/p>\n

Power 340hp @ 6,000pm<\/p>\n

Torque 450Nm @ 3,500rpm<\/p>\n

Fuel economy, combined 9.1L \/ 100km<\/p>\n

SPECS<\/p>\n

Toyota land Cruiser 2020 5.7L VXR<\/p>\n

Engine: 5.7-litre V8<\/p>\n

Transmission: eight-speed automatic<\/p>\n

Power: 362hp<\/p>\n

Torque: 530Nm<\/p>\n

Price: Dh329,000 (base model 4.0L EXR Dh215,900)<\/p>\n

About Proto21<\/p>\n

Date started:\u00a0May 2018
Founder:\u00a0Pir Arkam
Based:\u00a0Dubai
Sector:\u00a0Additive manufacturing (aka, 3D printing)
Staff:\u00a018
Funding:\u00a0Invested, supported and partnered by Joseph Group<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"A project to revive the country’s marine species is paying dividends but more needs to be done to…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":260803,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[22],"tags":[49,48,295,120864,26204,66,2225,1320,46173],"class_list":{"0":"post-260802","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-environment","8":"tag-ca","9":"tag-canada","10":"tag-environment","11":"tag-fujairah","12":"tag-oceans","13":"tag-science","14":"tag-standard","15":"tag-story","16":"tag-uae-desk-team"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/260802","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=260802"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/260802\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/260803"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=260802"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=260802"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=260802"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}