Hawksbill turtles at table coral reefs in Khor Fakkan. Photo: NYU Abu Dhabi
Hawksbill turtles at table coral reefs in Khor Fakkan. Photo: NYU Abu Dhabi
Hawksbill turtles at table coral reefs in Khor Fakkan. Photo: NYU Abu Dhabi
Hawksbill turtles at table coral reefs in Khor Fakkan. Photo: NYU Abu Dhabi

How Sharjah coral reefs are turning the tide in recovery from bleach damage


John Dennehy
  • English
  • Arabic

Two crucial coral reefs in UAE waters are showing signs of recovery from bleaching in a boost for the environment, a study has shown.

When corals are stressed by changes in conditions such as temperature, light, or nutrients, they expel the symbiotic algae living in their tissues, causing them to turn completely white. Corals can survive a bleaching event, but their death can lead to diminished coastal protection and reduced fish stocks.

A major bleaching in 2021 left corals in the waters of Sir Bu Nair island and Khor Fakkan in Sharjah vulnerable.

But findings from monitoring carried out since then provide some optimism, as regrowth has been noted.

Experts believe the expansion of crucial protected areas, working with divers to build awareness of corals and other management efforts can turn the tide and further aid the recovery.

“As long as conditions return to normal and we give them time to recover, they can recover," John Burt, professor of biology at NYU Abu Dhabi and one of the paper’s authors, told The National. "We're hopeful that things are going in the right direction.”

Sir Bu Nair island lies about 70km offshore in the Arabian Gulf, in a marine protected area, while the reefs of Khor Fakkan are on the UAE’s Gulf of Oman coast.

Table corals such as these in Khor Fakkan provide complex three-dimensional structure on reefs. Photo: NYU Abu Dhabi
Table corals such as these in Khor Fakkan provide complex three-dimensional structure on reefs. Photo: NYU Abu Dhabi

The corals found at these two locations are known as table corals (Acropora) and used to be dominant in the region. But increasing heat, along with other stresses such as pollution, mean they are the first to be knocked out and there are only pockets left.

Prof Burt said table corals are important as they grow fast, build reefs quickly and are quite complex in shape, meaning that they are attractive to fish.

A renowned expert on corals, he estimates that about 75 per cent in total coral at Sir Bu Nair and 63 per cent at Khor Fakkan were lost. These were almost exclusively table corals, he added.

It is believed there has been a 15 to 20 per cent increase in live coral since the bleaching event but more monitoring is being conducted.

Table corals had survived at these two locations because the reefs were surrounded by slightly deeper water. When the tide goes in and out, the colder, deeper water chills the reef giving corals a reprieve.

While cautioning the severity of the event should not be underestimated and there had been a shift towards more heat-resilient species dominating the community in the wake of it, Prof Burt said some table corals had recovered and “these are among the fastest growing species that we have around here” meaning they could become dominant again.

The development was outlined in a paper published in Diversity - a peer-reviewed, open access journal – in August. It showed how a biodiversity assessment led by NYUAD's Mubadala Arabian Center for Climate and Environmental Sciences in collaboration with a faculty member at the American University of Sharjah and with the support of the Sharjah Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA). turned its focus to bleaching when researchers saw what was happening.

A researcher surveys the reef at Sir Bu Nair island during a warm-weather bleaching event. Photo: NYU Abu Dhabi
A researcher surveys the reef at Sir Bu Nair island during a warm-weather bleaching event. Photo: NYU Abu Dhabi

What causes bleaching?

The Arabian Gulf is one of the world’s hottest seas and scientists believe climate change is making extreme warming events more common.

Prof Burt said the 2021 episode was unique for its severity and the fact it extended across the region. “We had sea temperatures that exceeded 37°C, which is unusually extreme. Normally we'll hit a maximum of 35.5°C most summers," he said.

“That's extremely hot compared to global standards. The Great Barrier Reef would be heavily bleached at 32°C, and we were already well above that."

If cooler temperatures do not return to normal, bleached corals will die. Typically it takes ten years for full recovery after bleaching.

Prof Burt said the recovery in Sharjah's waters was being aided by relatively cooler conditions this year.

What can be done to help?

Coral reefs occupy less than one per cent of the ocean floor yet they are home to more than 25 per cent of marine life, the UN Environment programme has said.

In a speech delivered in June, Inger Andersen, executive director of the UN Environment Programme, said more than 80 per cent of the world’s coral reefs have experienced coral bleaching conditions for almost two years.

But the good news is there is much that can be done to help. Prof Burt pointed to developments such as how experts on the Great Barrier Reef place coverings over the reefs to limit the amount of light that hits it.

Other solutions could include “biobanking” – saving corals during hot summers so genetic resources are not lost.

Prof Burt also praised the “very good management and conservation practices” that have been put in place by Sharjah, pointing to the marine protected area around Sir Bu Nair.

“The protected area is very well enforced,” he said. “The general public is not allowed to visit Sir Bu Nair to go fishing or diving, for example. [The Sharjah authority] also put in mooring buoys in Khor Fakkan so nobody's dropping anchor any more.”

The complex shape of table corals makes them attractive habitats for reef fish. Photo: NYU Abu Dhabi
The complex shape of table corals makes them attractive habitats for reef fish. Photo: NYU Abu Dhabi

Working with the diving community

Prof Burt said there is room for expansion, adding that it is important to work with the diving community. Novice divers, he said, can tip the tops of corals in what is known as “fin-strike”.

“Corals are incredibly sensitive,” he said. “It's only about two millimetres of the surface of a coral that's alive, and it is a soft, jellyfish-like material. If you hit it with a fin, you are damaging it.”

Managers could limit diving on these reefs and also encourage local dive operators to become certified initiatives such as Green Fins.

“My biggest recommendation would be that we engage with the various diving-related associations and companies that are operating on the east coast of the UAE to ensure that new divers are trained in an area where coral reefs don't exist.”

The shoots of recovery also come as efforts continue across the UAE and region to preserve vital reefs.

Abu Dhabi, for example, has revealed plans to plant millions of coral colonies. There is also work under way to collect corals and safeguard them for restoration, alongside work on selective breeding to create heat-tolerant corals.

“We can try to ensure that the next generation of corals that are restored to reefs are the most hardy available,” said Prof Burt. “Watch this space.”

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War and the virus
The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

The specs: 2018 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy

Price, base / as tested Dh97,600
Engine 1,745cc Milwaukee-Eight v-twin engine
Transmission Six-speed gearbox
Power 78hp @ 5,250rpm
Torque 145Nm @ 3,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined 5.0L / 100km (estimate)

The years Ramadan fell in May

1987

1954

1921

1888

Abramovich London

A Kensington Palace Gardens house with 15 bedrooms is valued at more than £150 million.

A three-storey penthouse at Chelsea Waterfront bought for £22 million.

Steel company Evraz drops more than 10 per cent in trading after UK officials said it was potentially supplying the Russian military.

Sale of Chelsea Football Club is now impossible.

How to apply for a drone permit
  • Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
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What are the regulations?
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Our legal consultants

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

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Temple numbers

Expected completion: 2022

Height: 24 meters

Ground floor banquet hall: 370 square metres to accommodate about 750 people

Ground floor multipurpose hall: 92 square metres for up to 200 people

First floor main Prayer Hall: 465 square metres to hold 1,500 people at a time

First floor terrace areas: 2,30 square metres  

Temple will be spread over 6,900 square metres

Structure includes two basements, ground and first floor 

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

 

COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Her most famous song

Aghadan Alqak (Would I Ever Find You Again)?

Would I ever find you again
You, the heaven of my love, my yearning and madness;
You, the kiss to my soul, my cheer and
sadness?
Would your lights ever break the night of my eyes again?
Would I ever find you again?
This world is volume and you're the notion,
This world is night and you're the lifetime,
This world is eyes and you're the vision,
This world is sky and you're the moon time,
Have mercy on the heart that belongs to you.

Lyrics: Al Hadi Adam; Composer: Mohammed Abdel Wahab

Book%20Details
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If%20you%20go
%3Cp%3EThere%20are%20regular%20flights%20from%20Dubai%20to%20Kathmandu.%20Fares%20with%20Air%20Arabia%20and%20flydubai%20start%20at%20Dh1%2C265.%3Cbr%3EIn%20Kathmandu%2C%20rooms%20at%20the%20Oasis%20Kathmandu%20Hotel%20start%20at%20Dh195%20and%20Dh120%20at%20Hotel%20Ganesh%20Himal.%3Cbr%3EThird%20Rock%20Adventures%20offers%20professionally%20run%20group%20and%20individual%20treks%20and%20tours%20using%20highly%20experienced%20guides%20throughout%20Nepal%2C%20Bhutan%20and%20other%20parts%20of%20the%20Himalayas.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
MATCH INFO

Manchester City 6 Huddersfield Town 1
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Huddersfield: Stankovic (43')

The years Ramadan fell in May

1987

1954

1921

1888

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

MWTC info

Tickets to the MWTC range from Dh100 and can be purchased from www.ticketmaster.ae or by calling 800 86 823 from within the UAE or 971 4 366 2289 from outside the country and all Virgin Megastores. Fans looking to attend all three days of the MWTC can avail of a special 20 percent discount on ticket prices.

Mia Man’s tips for fermentation

- Start with a simple recipe such as yogurt or sauerkraut

- Keep your hands and kitchen tools clean. Sanitize knives, cutting boards, tongs and storage jars with boiling water before you start.

- Mold is bad: the colour pink is a sign of mold. If yogurt turns pink as it ferments, you need to discard it and start again. For kraut, if you remove the top leaves and see any sign of mold, you should discard the batch.

- Always use clean, closed, airtight lids and containers such as mason jars when fermenting yogurt and kraut. Keep the lid closed to prevent insects and contaminants from getting in.

 

British Grand Prix free practice times in the third and final session at Silverstone on Saturday (top five):

1. Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes) 1:28.063 (18 laps)

2. Sebastian Vettel (GER/Ferrari) 1:28.095 (14)

3. Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Mercedes) 1:28.137 (20)

4. Kimi Raikkonen (FIN/Ferrari) 1:28.732 (15)

5. Nico Hulkenberg (GER/Renault)  1:29.480 (14)

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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Mica

Director: Ismael Ferroukhi

Stars: Zakaria Inan, Sabrina Ouazani

3 stars

SERIE A FIXTURES

All times UAE ( 4 GMT)

Saturday
Roma v Udinese (5pm) 
SPAL v Napoli (8pm)
Juventus v Torino (10.45pm)

Sunday
Sampdoria v AC Milan (2.30pm)
Inter Milan v Genoa (5pm)
Crotone v Benevento (5pm)
Verona v Lazio (5pm)
Cagliari v Chievo (5pm)
Sassuolo v Bologna (8pm)
Fiorentina v Atalanta (10.45pm)

The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting

2. Prayer

3. Hajj

4. Shahada

5. Zakat 

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The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting 

2. Prayer 

3. Hajj 

4. Shahada 

5. Zakat 

Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
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  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
The specs

AT4 Ultimate, as tested

Engine: 6.2-litre V8

Power: 420hp

Torque: 623Nm

Transmission: 10-speed automatic

Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)

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%3Cp%3E%0D%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204.0-litre%20twin-turbo%20V8%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20750hp%20at%207%2C500rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20800Nm%20at%205%2C500rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%207%20Speed%20dual-clutch%20auto%0D%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETop%20speed%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20332kph%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2012.2L%2F100km%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EYear%20end%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20From%20Dh1%2C430%2C000%20(coupe)%3B%20From%20Dh1%2C566%2C000%20(Spider)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting

2. Prayer

3. Hajj

4. Shahada

5. Zakat 

Suggested picnic spots

Abu Dhabi
Umm Al Emarat Park
Yas Gateway Park
Delma Park
Al Bateen beach
Saadiyaat beach
The Corniche
Zayed Sports City
 
Dubai
Kite Beach
Zabeel Park
Al Nahda Pond Park
Mushrif Park
Safa Park
Al Mamzar Beach Park
Al Qudrah Lakes 

History's medical milestones

1799 - First small pox vaccine administered

1846 - First public demonstration of anaesthesia in surgery

1861 - Louis Pasteur published his germ theory which proved that bacteria caused diseases

1895 - Discovery of x-rays

1923 - Heart valve surgery performed successfully for first time

1928 - Alexander Fleming discovers penicillin

1953 - Structure of DNA discovered

1952 - First organ transplant - a kidney - takes place 

1954 - Clinical trials of birth control pill

1979 - MRI, or magnetic resonance imaging, scanned used to diagnose illness and injury.

1998 - The first adult live-donor liver transplant is carried out

Results

6.30pm: Dubai Millennium Stakes Group Three US$200,000 (Turf) 2,000m; Winner: Ghaiyyath, William Buick (jockey), Charlie Appleby (trainer).

7.05pm: Handicap $135,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Cliffs Of Capri, Tadhg O’Shea, Jamie Osborne.

7.40pm: UAE Oaks Group Three $250,000 (Dirt) 1,900m; Winner: Down On Da Bayou, Mickael Barzalona, Salem bin Ghadayer.

8.15pm: Zabeel Mile Group Two $250,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Zakouski, James Doyle, Charlie Appleby.

8.50pm: Meydan Sprint Group Two $250,000 (T) 1,000m; Winner: Waady, Jim Crowley, Doug Watson.

The candidates

Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive

Ali Azeem, business leader

Tony Booth, professor of education

Lord Browne, former BP chief executive

Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist

Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist

Dr Mark Mann, scientist

Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner

Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister

Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster

 

SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20SAMSUNG%20GALAXY%20S23%20ULTRA
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Credit Score explained

What is a credit score?

In the UAE your credit score is a number generated by the Al Etihad Credit Bureau (AECB), which represents your credit worthiness – in other words, your risk of defaulting on any debt repayments. In this country, the number is between 300 and 900. A low score indicates a higher risk of default, while a high score indicates you are a lower risk.

Why is it important?

Financial institutions will use it to decide whether or not you are a credit risk. Those with better scores may also receive preferential interest rates or terms on products such as loans, credit cards and mortgages.

How is it calculated?

The AECB collects information on your payment behaviour from banks as well as utilitiy and telecoms providers.

How can I improve my score?

By paying your bills on time and not missing any repayments, particularly your loan, credit card and mortgage payments. It is also wise to limit the number of credit card and loan applications you make and to reduce your outstanding balances.

How do I know if my score is low or high?

By checking it. Visit one of AECB’s Customer Happiness Centres with an original and valid Emirates ID, passport copy and valid email address. Liv. customers can also access the score directly from the banking app.

How much does it cost?

A credit report costs Dh100 while a report with the score included costs Dh150. Those only wanting the credit score pay Dh60. VAT is payable on top.

Saudi Cup race day

Schedule in UAE time

5pm: Mohamed Yousuf Naghi Motors Cup (Turf), 5.35pm: 1351 Cup (T), 6.10pm: Longines Turf Handicap (T), 6.45pm: Obaiya Arabian Classic for Purebred Arabians (Dirt), 7.30pm: Jockey Club Handicap (D), 8.10pm: Samba Saudi Derby (D), 8.50pm: Saudia Sprint (D), 9.40pm: Saudi Cup (D)

INDIA SQUAD

Rohit Sharma (captain), Shikhar Dhawan (vice-captain), KL Rahul, Suresh Raina, Manish Pandey, Dinesh Karthik (wicketkeeper), Deepak Hooda, Washington Sundar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel, Vijay Shankar, Shardul Thakur, Jaydev Unadkat, Mohammad Siraj and Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper)

Updated: September 12, 2025, 4:18 AM`