Dubai Reef Project Boosts Marine Life and Ecosystem Growth

Dubai, UAE – 29 July 2025 - Dubai Reef, one of the world’s largest purpose-built reef developments, is making measurable strides in restoring and supporting marine life within Dubai’s coastal waters.

New underwater footage from the initiative’s proof-of-concept site reveals a thriving marine habitat, with an abundance of fish and reef life forming around deployed modules.

Biodiversity and Fish Biomass Rising Sharply

Surveys at the site have recorded a notable increase in fish populations across 15 native species, including snappers, groupers, and barracuda. Early data points to a 10% increase in marine biodiversity and an eightfold rise in fish biomass—key indicators of the project’s early success in boosting local ecosystem health.

Thousands of Reef Modules Already Deployed

Under the initiative’s first pillar, Marine Habitat Restoration, a total of 20,000 reef modules will be fabricated and deployed across 600 km² of Dubai’s waters by 2027. Since the project’s 2024 launch, 39% of these modules have been fabricated, with 3,660 already deployed to date.

In addition to habitat restoration, Dubai Reef includes two more foundational pillars:

• Marine Life Rehabilitation
• Marine Conservation Research

Together, these support the broader vision of ecological resilience and long-term ocean sustainability.

Dubai Reef is a major sustainability initiative launched by Dubai Can, under the directive of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai.

Collaborative Effort Across Sectors

The project is backed by a coalition of key public and private entities, including:

• Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET)
• Dubai Environment and Climate Change Authority (DECCA)
• DP World
• Dubai Chambers
• Nakheel (a member of Dubai Holding Real Estate)
• Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation (PCFC)
• Emirates

Contributing to Global Sustainability Goals

Dubai Reef aligns with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including:

• SDG 13 – Climate Action
• SDG 14 – Life Below Water
• SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals

As the project continues through 2027, it is expected to cement Dubai’s leadership in marine restoration and innovation.