NEWS - Emirates Diving Association

NEWS
The Coastal Atlas is an expanded and updated version of the Coastal
Resources Atlas issued in 2000, a hard copy edition developed by EAD,
which focused on potential coastal-based scenarios in the event of an
oil-spill in the Arabian Gulf.
FAQ
COASTAL RESOURCES ATLAS AND VULNERABILITY INDEX
(COASTAL ATLAS)
1. What is this Coastal Resources Atlas and Vulnerability Index?
The Coastal Atlas is an interactive online tool that will support local
policy-making and coastline development planning, as well as educate
users about the Emirate’s rich marine biodiversity.
The Coastal Atlas is an expanded, improved and updated version
of a hard copy edition of the Coastal Resources Atlas issued by the
Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) in the year 2000.
2. Who is this targeted at?
There are two tiers of information – one is open access via the Web, e.g.
private companies and developers such as Al Dar or Sorouh, and the
other is aimed at policy-makers such as UPC or Abu Dhabi Municipality,
and organizations with commercial or military interest in Abu Dhabi’s
waters such as CNIA.
3. What made EAD create such an initiative?
EAD is proud that this Atlas is the first-of-its-kind in the Gulf region.
The availability of relevant information and expert advice is necessary
to help improve management of coastal areas. To date, coastal resource
information has been housed in a variety of data warehouses; some
digital and some available in hardcopy form only. Combining these
sources around a single access point would streamline coastal planning
and management processes.
EAD has developed the Coastal Atlas in response to a need for easily
accessible information that can be used by all stakeholders with an
interest or a stake in Coastal and Marine Resources Planning and
Development.
4. What are the benefits of using such a tool?
The benefits for all parties are significant. Easily available and real-time
information about the coastline, its waters and its biodiversity, will
allow for better informed decisions to be taken, and for environmental
considerations to be prioritized.
In addition, requests for existing information from Government agencies
will be greatly reduced with associated cost savings.
Other stakeholders as well as general users will have a greater sense
of ownership and stewardship of natural resources, and will be better
informed when resource-use decisions are being made.
The Coastal Atlas is also a great educational tool, and can be accessed
for research purposes by university students.
5. How can users access the Coastal Atlas?
Most of the data is ‘open access’ and available on the World Wide Web.
However, commercially or security sensitive information, for example
concerning oil rig locations, will only be accessible by individuals and
organizations that have been granted access by EAD.
6. How long did it take to develop this project?
It took two years to develop this project from idea conception to going live.
7. Who is responsible for updating the information?
A dedicated team at EAD will ensure that all information entered
is real time and valid. EAD welcomes data from partners and other
interested parties (e.g. diving groups, environmental organizations) and
will be quality-controlling these submissions before adding them to the
Coastal Atlas.
8. How will the Coastal Atlas help protect us from the effects of an
off-shore oil-spill?
The Coastal Atlas will help management and policymakers be better
prepared, by mapping out all possible scenarios in helping to protect
our coastlines and marine life.
An oil spill modelling application outlines potential scenarios in the event
of an oil spill in the Arabian Gulf, showing how the oil could spread out
from various locations, wind and wave patterns which could influence
its spread and impact on ecology. The software has also been designed
to be used as the central real-time resource point in the event of a
real oil spill, showing the tracking of the oil’s movements and helping
to ensure critical information is exchanged transparently and smoothly
between the organizations involved in the oil spill’s management.
9. How has the Coastal Atlas been received so far?
From an international perspective, the Coastal Atlas has already been
recognized with a global best practice award – the Environmental
Systems Research Institute (ESRI) Special Achievement Award for
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in Environmental Management
for 2010. The award will be presented to EAD representatives at the
ESRI 2010 International User Conference in San Diego, California in
July 2010.
From the local front, our key partners have all welcomed this initiative.
We’re confident that the Coastal Atlas will become a primary resource
for them.
10. What does Abu Dhabi’s coastal and marine environment look like
today?
The Emirate of Abu Dhabi’s coastal and marine environment is rich
and diverse. However, there are ongoing challenges to resources’
protection through coastal development, human settlements, pollution,
and overfishing, and at the broader scale through pollution and climate
change. Pressure on these ecosystems and the environment in general
will continue to grow as development increases. However, tools such as
the Coastal Atlas allow for more informed decision-making and better
management, and so can help reduce the threat and protect these
valuable ecosystems for present and future generations.
About Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD)
The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) is a governmental agency
that was established in 1996. We are committed to protecting and
managing biodiversity, providing a clean environment and promoting
Sustainable Development in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. We provide
a direction for Government, business and the community to build
environmental considerations into the way they plan and live without
compromising Abu Dhabi development. Since 2008, EAD has been
awarded ISO 9001 for Quality; ISO 14001 for Environment and ISO
18001 for Health and Safety.
For Further Information, please Contact:
• Noura Sarraj – noura.sarraj@ws-mena.com
• Baraa Hussain – baraa.hussain@ws-mena.com
• Reem Hafiz Weber Shandwick – reem.hafiz@ws-mena.com
Tel: +971 (0)2 449 4457
www.ead.ae
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