Sharjah opens Dh100m marine research centre to boost ocean awareness - As-salamu alaykum
As-salamu alaykum - A Dh100 million ($27.2 million) marine science research centre in Sharjah is set up to teach people how everyday choices can affect sea life.
The Sharjah Marine Science Research Centre, overlooking Shark Island in Khor Fakkan, was inaugurated last week by Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah. Besides becoming a place people visit, the centre’s director, Stephen Widdicombe, says it will help the community connect with science.
"We want to involve the public, especially through citizen science, and improve ocean literacy," he said. "If people understand the consequences of everyday decisions - how they dispose of rubbish, their water use, or how they act at the beach - they can make better choices that protect the sea."
He added that we must be aware of the harm our actions can cause, not only to the marine animals we share the ocean with but also to the benefits the sea gives us.
The centre also aims to show that science isn’t just for academics. "Science shouldn’t be seen as something isolated or only for scholars," Widdicombe said.
Inside the facility are 12 labs working on histology, microbiology and environmental analysis, plus an advanced microscopy centre, a marine chemistry unit and remote sensing and GIS equipment.
Plastic pollution remains a big threat to marine life. Despite repeated warnings, the message hasn’t reached everyone, Widdicombe said. A local study by the Environment and Protected Areas Authority in Sharjah and the American University of Sharjah examined the stomach contents of 478 dead seabirds from 17 species found off Sharjah between 2017 and 2023. When a subset of 20 birds was studied closely, all had microplastics in their systems - mostly microfibres likely from laundry, which can scar and inflame digestive tracts.
"We did a beach clean-up with students last week. They said, ‘Everything looks clean,’ but in an hour we pulled 250kg of plastic off the shore," he said. "We have to keep doing this and change how people relate to the waste they produce."
Although the building is ready, Widdicombe says it’s only the first step. He hopes to fill many roles before the end of the academic year so research can start in earnest. "The building was the easy part. Stewardship of the ocean is everyone’s responsibility - we all need to play our part in protecting this incredible ecosystem Allah has given us."
https://www.thenationalnews.co