Abu Dhabi, Apr 11 (IANS/WAM): Japan will help the United Arab Emirates in carrying out a coral reef restoration programme in the country's coastal areas.
Coral settlement devices, developed by Mineo Okamoto of Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology (TUMSAT), have already been installed off the island of Saadiyat and Al Dhabeiyah in Abu Dhabi.
The project, launched by the Environment Agency of Abu Dhabi (EAD) in coordination with TUMSAT and Japan Oil Development Company (JODCO), will evaluate the state of the underwater ecosystem and check the feasibility of installing the Japanese device in the Gulf country.
EAD hopes to get a better understanding of coral reef reproduction and explore new technologies for the rehabilitation of damaged reefs and ensure the survival of endangered marine lives.