A national initiative to enhance the productivity and sustainability of the UAE’s fishing grounds through science, community engagement and innovation
Ihya’a takes a holistic approach to enhancing the productivity of fishing grounds - by recovering abandoned fishing gear, supporting habitat recovery and targeted restoration, and building the circular solutions needed for healthier, more productive seas.
The initiative is implemented through a partnership between Mubadala Foundation, Emirates Nature-WWF and the Authority of Social Contribution – Ma’an, in strategic partnership with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, the Ministry of Economy and Tourism, Nafis and the Government of Umm Al Quwain as Government Enablers, and the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi as Government Knowledge Partner. The unique collaboration model also brings together NGOs, academia, and research and development organizations, including Khalifa University, Intratomics and Mubadala ACCESS at NYU Abu Dhabi.
The initiative brings together science, technology and community stewardship to create a long-term scalable model for the restoration, management and sustainability of fishing grounds. This includes mapping marine habitats, retrieving lost fishing gear, assessing biodiversity and supporting circular economy solutions that help recover and recycle gear while preventing future loss.
BY COMBINING EMIRATI FISHING KNOWLEDGE WITH ADVANCED MARINE TECHNOLOGIES, IHYA'A IS HELPING STRENGTHEN ENVIRONMENTAL RESILIENCE, COMMUNITY WELLBEING AND THE LONG-TERM SUSTAINABILITY OF MARINE ECOSYSTEMS, FISHERIES AND NATIONAL FOOD SECURITY.
WHAT THE 3-YEAR INITIATIVE DELIVERS
High-priority fishing grounds under restoration
Fishing grounds mapped
Fishing community members engaged
Up to 50% of End-of-life gear is reused/recycled
Sustainable ocean management advanced contributing to UAE Sustainable Ocean Plan
Emirati talent upskilled in conservation and circular economy
IHYA'A SUPPORTS NATIONAL PRIORITIES
01 Food Security
02 Biodiversity Conservation
03 Sustainable Economic Development
HOW IHYA'A WORKS
Ihya’a brings together Emirati fisher knowledge with advanced marine science, innovative technologies and data-driven analytical approaches to identify key areas, guide retrieval and restoration operations, and inform long-term management recommendations.
Implementation focuses on four pillars of action:
PILLAR 1
KNOW THE GROUND: INTELLIGENCE AND MAPPING
PILLAR 2
REVIVE THE ECOSYSTEM: RETRIEVAL AND RESTORATION
PILLAR 3
BUILD VALUE THROUGH CIRCULAR SYSTEMS: CIRCULAR ECONOMY & INNOVATION
PILLAR 4
SECURE THE FUTURE: POLICY, PREVENTION & MANAGEMENT
“Over three years, Ihya'a will strive to restore fishing grounds, integrate traditional knowledge with scientific research and establish an operational model designed for replication across the UAE and beyond.”
LAILA MOSTAFA ABDULLATIF
DIRECTOR GENERAL OF EMIRATES NATURE-WWF
“Over three years, Ihya'a will strive to restore fishing grounds, integrate traditional knowledge with scientific research and establish an operational model designed for replication across the UAE and beyond.”
LAILA MOSTAFA ABDULLATIF
DIRECTOR GENERAL OF EMIRATES NATURE-WWF