Abu Dhabi Reaches 100% on Sustainable Fisheries Index

Abu Dhabi’s Sustainable Fisheries Index reached 100% by the end of 2025, marking a milestone in the emirate’s fisheries management efforts, according to the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi.
The achievement follows the rollout of the Fish AI project under the Abu Dhabi X for Nature initiative, which uses artificial intelligence to modernise how fish stocks are assessed. At designated landing sites, fishermen place their catch on a scanning table, where a specialised application analyses the fish in around five minutes. The system identifies species, sizes, weights and quantities, then transmits the data to a central platform that updates fisheries indicators in near real time.
The agency said the technology has transformed what was previously a time-intensive scientific process into one that delivers rapid, accurate insights. By providing real-time data on species composition and biomass, Fish AI improves the efficiency of data collection and supports more responsive fisheries management decisions.
Fish AI forms a core pillar of Abu Dhabi X for Nature, an initiative developed with the Advanced Technology Research Council to apply advanced technologies and artificial intelligence to environmental protection. The agency said the project complements a broader package of measures aimed at restoring and protecting marine ecosystems.
These measures include regulating fishing gear, managing recreational fishing, and establishing six marine reserves within the Zayed Network of Nature Reserves. Other initiatives cited by the agency include support for sustainable aquaculture, coral restoration programmes, and the deployment of around 40,000 artificial reef structures as part of the Abu Dhabi Coral Gardens initiative.
The Sustainable Fisheries Index has shown consistent improvement over the past six years, rising from 8.9% in 2018 to 97.4% by the end of 2024 before reaching 100% in 2025.