NO FUTURE WITHOUT PROTECTING MARINE LIFE

On International Day for Biological Diversity, we must commit to preserving wildlife beneath water's surface

- BY MOHAMED ABDALLA AL ZAABI | Special to Gulf News

When we first imagined Yas Island 15 years ago, our vision went beyond buildings, attractions, or entertainment. We dreamed of cultivating a vibrant community, an ecosystem where all forms of life could genuinely thrive, from the people who visit and live here, to the wildlife beneath the water's surface.

Today, as we mark the International Day for Biological Diversity, I'm reminded that globally, the future of our oceans remains deeply uncertain. Marine biodiversity, essential to life on our planet, faces unprecedented threats, and our collective responsibility to protect it has never been clearer.

Ten years in this role have taught me much about ambition, purpose, and stewardship. Throughout this decade, I've continually returned to a fundamental question: What does it truly mean to create a world-class destination? Is it enough to build experiences that entertain, delight, and inspire? Or must we also actively protect and nurture the natural world that surrounds and sustains us?

I believe it's both. If we're serious about shaping the future, then we must embrace responsibility for preserving it. This belief inspired us to create the Yas SeaWorld Research & Rescue Centre (YSWRRC), a hub where science, community, and genuine care converge to protect the marine ecosystems that are so deeply tied to our identity here in the UAE.

A living commitment