Photo: Stockfile/FIS

UAE Drives Aquaculture Expansion with Focus on Exports, Sustainability, and Food Security

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Thursday, July 03, 2025, 05:20 (GMT + 9)

MOCCAE's comprehensive strategy aims for regional leadership in high-quality, sustainably farmed seafood.

ABU DHABI – The United Arab Emirates is strategically scaling up its fisheries and aquaculture sector, aiming to transform into a regional leader in premium seafood exports. This ambitious push, spearheaded by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE), aligns directly with the nation's broader National Food Security Strategy 2051 and its commitments to sustainable economic diversification.

According to Dr. Ebrahim Abdulla Husain Al Jamali, Director of the Fisheries Sustainability Department at MOCCAE, the ministry is intensifying efforts to boost aquaculture production and penetrate high-demand global markets. "This strategic push includes expanding access to new global markets, with a particular focus on regions demonstrating strong demand for high-quality, sustainably farmed seafood," Dr. Al Jamali told Aletihad. He added that the strategy also involves promoting species with proven market acceptance and significant export potential.

In 2022, the UAE's aquaculture output reached 3,526.5 tonnes, with ongoing initiatives to further increase this figure through farm expansion and advanced production technology. The ultimate goal, as Dr. Al Jamali highlighted, is to "position the UAE as a leading regional exporter of premium aquaculture products, while simultaneously supporting broader economic diversification and sustainable growth objectives."

Boosting National Food Security

Domestically, seafood plays a crucial role in the UAE's food system. Recent consumer studies reveal that the nation's per capita seafood consumption was 26.4kg in 2022, exceeding the global average. MOCCAE is leveraging such insights to tailor its strategies, enhancing aquaculture's contribution to a stable and resilient national food supply.

To facilitate this growth, the ministry is actively streamlining aquaculture development by significantly simplifying licensing procedures and eliminating unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles, prioritizing environmental sustainability. "Complementing these regulatory efforts, comprehensive support programmes are in place to support local farmers," Dr. Al Jamali noted, detailing the provision of technical expertise, advisory services, and dedicated guidance for investors throughout the licensing process.

Photo: MOCCAE

MOCCAE has also launched an integrated suite of smart digital services designed to optimize aquaculture-related processes, including licensing and the importation of live fish and broodstock. A key feature is an advanced permitting system for importing live aquatic organisms, ensuring rigorous inspection at entry points to uphold biosecurity standards. This system aims to foster a business-friendly environment and encourage private sector engagement within the aquaculture industry, as per Dr. Al Jamali.

Research, Innovation, and Responsible Growth

Innovation is central to the UAE's expansion plans. MOCCAE is investing in research and development alongside private sector partners, focusing on the commercial viability of new local species. A pivotal collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) resulted in the creation of the UAE Aquaculture Toolkit, which provides a scientific and operational foundation for modern aquaculture practices. This toolkit includes an "Atlas of Potential Offshore Aquaculture Zones," a "Consumer Preferences Study," and comprehensive biosecurity guidelines for disease prevention.

Insights from these consumer studies directly inform policy, guiding the sector to concentrate production on high-demand species known for excellent taste, texture, and growth performance. They also underscore the need to invest in modern production systems, such as Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS), to maintain consistent quality. Based on this toolkit, a National Aquaculture Development Plan is currently being formulated, aiming to "expand farms, diversify production, ensure sustainability (environmental, social, economic), improve investment, boost GDP contribution, and create export opportunities," Dr. Al Jamali confirmed.

Sustainability remains the bedrock of the UAE’s aquaculture expansion. MOCCAE’s efforts are underpinned by robust legal frameworks, specifically Federal Law No. 23 of 1999 on the Exploitation, Protection, and Development of Living Aquatic Resources and Federal Law No. 24 of 1999 on Environment Protection and Development. These laws ensure the responsible growth of the aquaculture sector, balancing industrial expansion with the crucial protection and conservation of the natural environment.

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