United Arab Emirates (UAE) 2023

The waters of the UAE are some of the hottest in the world. Yet they host a rich mosaic of ecosystems, from shallow coral reefs and mangroves to mesophotic reefs and deep-sea slopes shaped by the powerful Hormuz Outflow, a dense, saline water mass flowing from the Arabian Gulf out the Strait of Hormuz. Despite their ecological importance and proximity to one of the world’s busiest shipping corridors, the Strait of Hormuz, these waters remained largely unexplored at depth. Off the coasts of Abu Dhabi and Fujairah, in partnership with UAE researchers and collaborators, OceanX carried out the first large-scale, multidisciplinary survey of the region, combining cutting-edge tools like eDNA analysis, high-resolution seafloor mapping, and submersible dives to establish a scientific baseline of biodiversity and oceanographic processes. 

The team documented life on all scales in UAE waters. We studied megafauna via shipboard, aerial, and acoustic surveys, revealing critical aggregation areas for whales, dolphins, and sharks. Our exploration of these animals included the first-ever sighting of a Byrde’s whale from a research vessel and the first ever sighting of a Bramble shark in UAE waters. Plankton and larval dispersal studies mapped recruitment pathways for key fisheries species, while microbial community assessments shed light on nutrient cycling and ecosystem health. eDNA sampling, paired with physical specimen collection and ROV transects, provided unprecedented biodiversity inventories across reef, pelagic, and deep-sea habitats. These findings not only expanded scientific knowledge but also created essential baselines to inform the design of marine protected areas and sustainable fisheries management approaches. 

High-resolution multibeam mapping covered 1,257 square kilometers of unexplored seafloor, identifying unique geomorphological features, mesophotic coral reef habitats, and active seismic faults. This mapping provides vital knowledge for protecting livelihoods and coastal infrastructure in the UAE, highlighting areas that support fisheries, coral growth, and safe marine development. Sediment coring and paleoclimate studies revealed how past oceanographic shifts have shaped productivity and ecosystem resilience, offering vital long-term context for managing future change. These geological findings also have societal relevance, helping to improve earthquake risk preparedness and community safety in the region. 

These findings provide critical insight into the biodiversity, behavior, and ecological connectivity of UAE marine ecosystems. The OceanX UAE 2023 mission has resulted in multiple manuscripts in preparation and highlights the urgent need for continued exploration, conservation planning, and monitoring to protect these understudied waters. The scientific research resulting from this mission has the potential to inform sustainable management of commercially important fish in the UAE such as grouper, bream, and trevally upon which local fishing communities in Abu Dhabi, Fujairah, and the Northern Emirates rely for income, food security and ecological tourism.  

The UAE mission brought together over 15 local scientists from Khalifa University, NYU Abu Dhabi, Yas SeaWorld Research and Rescue Center, and Environment Agency Abu Dhabi (EAD)’s Abu Dahbi Environmental Research Network (ADERN) to collaborate with OceanX researchers across all aspects of the expedition. These scientists gained hands-on experience in cutting-edge marine research techniques, including eDNA sampling, whole genome sequencing, microbial community analysis, ROV and submersible operations, CTD profiling, and high-resolution bathymetric mapping. By working alongside OceanX experts, the team not only contributed to data collection across multiple habitats — from mesophotic reefs to the deep seafloor — but also built capacity to continue long-term monitoring, biodiversity assessments, and ecosystem management in UAE waters. 

Beyond scientific skill-building, this collaboration strengthened the capacity of regional researchers to integrate physical, genomic, and environmental data into actionable insights. The expedition also enabled cross-institutional knowledge sharing, allowing scientists from universities, government agencies, and research centers to refine methodologies, standardize protocols, and expand their understanding of marine ecosystems in one of the world’s warmest and least-studied waters. 

By hosting local scientists and fostering these collaborations, the UAE mission helped equip the region’s experts with the tools, data, and expertise needed to advance ocean-positive decision-making, inform sustainable fisheries management, and support the long-term conservation of critical marine habitats. The knowledge and skills developed during the mission are now poised to underpin future research, policy guidance, and educational initiatives across the UAE. 

The 2023 UAE mission provided the first comprehensive baseline of biodiversity, habitat structure, and environmental drivers across the region’s offshore waters, from mesophotic reefs to deep-sea sediments and cetacean populations. Key projects, including eDNA-based fisheries surveys, microbial and planktonic mapping, and high-resolution bathymetry, revealed new species records, ecosystem connectivity, and influences of features like the Hormuz Outflow. By collaborating with regional scientists from Khalifa University, NYU Abu Dhabi, Yas SeaWorld, and EAD’s ADERN network, the mission equipped local researchers with advanced tools and skills to continue long-term monitoring and conservation efforts, supporting sustainable fisheries, informing potential Marine Protected Areas, and translating discoveries into actionable science and policy.