UAE: 4,000 coral polyps planted off Fujairah coast to regenerate marine ecosystem

Dubai: Emirates Draw recently celebrate a new milestone in its ‘Coral Reef Restoration Programme’ with the planting of over 4,000 coral polyps across various sites.

Representatives from the organisation and members of the media toured an existing planting site in Khor Fakkan in Sharjah to learn about its progress as well as a new site in Dibba, Fujairah, where planting is currently underway.

The second site was selected after months of inspections by marine experts, who used research methodologies to ensure that planting will be successful as well as any future expansions. Thousands of coral polyps have already been planted by experienced divers with the support of volunteers in various sites across the UAE. The community-driven programme aims to preserve and regenerate aquatic ecosystems across the UAE to provide lasting ecological impact on the country’s marine environment and surrounding coastlines.

Rehabilitation drive

It comes as part of Emirates Draw’s vision for ‘For A Better Tomorrow’ through supporting the country’s national conservation agenda.

“We are building on our ongoing efforts with the support of Emirates Draw for our pioneering environmental initiative, which aims to rehabilitate coral reefs and protect the wider marine environment. The programme also intends to encourage fisheries and diversify recreational and tourism activities, in support of the UAE’s efforts regarding sustainability for a better tomorrow for future generations,” said Captain Saleh Al Thahori.

Since its inception nine months ago, the organisation has distributed over Dh26 million in prize money to over 19,000 participants. The Dh100 million grand prize, said to be the largest in the region, remains up for grabs, to be claimed by a single person or group of people who match all seven numbers from right to left. Participants have another chance to try the prize during the next draw round, which will be broadcast live on June 5 at 9pm UAE time.

How to play

Entrants can choose to participate in the weekly draw by purchasing a Dh50 pencil via the Emirates Draw website, which will support in planting coral polyps. After registering online, participants can select their seven-digit number or have the system choose their number randomly.

With their purchase, participants are entered into two separate drawings, the first a raffle draw where every week seven lucky participants are guaranteed AED 77,777 each. In addition, all participants will be entered into a second draw with six prize categories that include a grand prize of Dh100 million when all seven numbers are matched.