Abu Dhabi Coral Project Adds 302,000 New Coral Colonies in 2026

More than 302,000 new coral colonies have been cultivated since the beginning of 2026 as part of the Abu Dhabi Coral Gardens Project, bringing the total number restored since the initiative began to around 1.8 million.

The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi said the programme has also expanded through the deployment of more than 12,700 artificial reef modules, providing stable surfaces for coral growth while creating new habitats for marine life.

Running from 2025 to 2030, the project aims to install 40,000 artificial reef modules across Abu Dhabi's coastal and offshore waters, particularly in areas without natural coral reefs or seagrass habitats. Once complete, the coral gardens are expected to cover around 1,200 square kilometres.

According to the agency, studies have found that the artificial reef structures attract marine life at rates up to three times higher than natural coral reefs. Trials conducted across 30 marine sites using seven reef designs also demonstrated their effectiveness in restoring marine habitats and supporting sustainable fisheries.

The initiative is expected to produce more than five million kilograms of pelagic and demersal fish annually while helping protect coastlines and islands from the effects of climate change and supporting blue carbon ecosystems.

The programme has also been expanded with a target of cultivating more than four million coral colonies by 2030 across more than 900 hectares, a scale the agency says will make it the world's largest coral reef rehabilitation programme. Earlier restoration efforts have already surpassed the previous target of one million coral colonies, achieving a reported success rate of more than 95%.