UAE Assists US Coral Reef Restoration Program in Florida
In 2017, Hurricane Irma caused devastating damage across the state of Florida. From demolishing residential areas and homes, to destroying local marine environments, Irma wreaked havoc on both land and sea. The Florida Keys ecosystems were hit particularly hard, with only 2% of the coral coverage remaining after Irma swept through the area.
With coral reef ecosystems supporting approximately 25% of the ocean’s aquatic species as a source of food and protection, this damage was particularly concerning. Additionally, Florida Keys residents are also highly dependent on the survival of coral reefs, with over 60% of local residents’ occupations depending on the marine life found in the reefs. Rehabilitating these ecosystems immediately became a top priority, knowing that doing so was imperative to supporting lives in and out of the water.
To begin rehabilitation, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), local Florida organizations and the United Way of Collier County came together with the support of the UAE to create the program Mission: Iconic Reefs. In 2020, the UAE bestowed a $3.5 million grant to these organizations to further the goal of Mission: Iconic Reefs – revitalizing seven coral reefs that have historically been iconic symbols of the Florida Keys. The UAE’s financial gift will help to preserve 100 miles of coral reefs and restore these struggling areas to a healthy, sustainable 25% coral cover.
Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba spoke on this partnership saying, “We all share the same planet and face the same challenges. That’s why the UAE is proud to collaborate with partners in the US and around the world to better protect and preserve these vital ecosystems.” Mission: Iconic Reefs is just one of the many projects that the UAE and the US have worked on together. As friends and allies, the two countries aim to create a sustainable, unified world for all.
Get additional information on Mission: Iconic Reefs below.
https://www.uae-embassy.org/events/ua...
https://uwcollierkeys.org/keysreefs/
Read more about the UAE–US partnership and the countries’ efforts to protect and preserve the environment:
https://www.uaeusaunited.com/stories/...
https://www.uae-embassy.org/uae-us-co...
https://www.uae-embassy.org/discover-...
Learn more about Yousef Al Otaiba’s contributions to the UAE–US partnership:
UAE USA United: https://www.uaeusaunited.com/yousef-a...
UAE Embassy: https://www.uae-embassy.org/ambassado...
Official Website: https://yousefalotaiba.com/
The Marque: https://www.themarque.com/profile/you...
#UAEUSPartnership #HurricaneRelief
Time Stamps:
00:00 Aftermath of Hurricane Irma in Florida
00:12 Coral reefs in the Florida Keys
00:36 Plans for reef restoration
01:18 UAE contributions to Florida’s recovery efforts
01:49 UAE supports Mission: Iconic Reefs
02:53 UAE–US collaboration helps save the environment