Fish Released into the sea as Sharjah Aquarium Marks World Oceans Day

Parrotfish and hammour among species set loose during event promoting protection of the UAE’s marine environment

SHARJAH, June 8th, 2015: Sharjah Aquarium today released marine species including hammour and parrotfish as part of an event celebrating World Oceans Day.

Rabbit fish and Red-Toothed triggerfish were also among the fish released back into their natural habitat by a team from the aquarium as they highlighted the importance of protecting the marine environment.

The event, organised by Sharjah Museums Department (SMD) under its ‘Because We Care’ social responsibility initiative, was attended by officials, representatives from partner agencies and members of the local community.

It demonstrated the important work being carried out by Sharjah Aquarium to protect the biodiversity of the maritime ecosystem by taking care of  and releasing certain species.

The release of the fish into the waters outside the aquarium was followed by an educational workshop raising awareness of some of the threats faced by marine life and how everyone can play a part in preserving Sharjah’s coastal waters.

Rashid Al Shamsi, SMD’s Acting Curator of Sharjah Aquarium, said: “World Oceans Day is a perfect opportunity for us to demonstrate the work we are doing through different programs to protect these species.

“This is the fifth time we’ve participated in World Oceans Day, and this year we’ve invited members of the public to attend so that we can really push our message of how important these species are, and why we should all be taking measures to protect them.

“We’re trying to inform the public about the things that can harm these fish, some of which are endangered species. We can all make a difference, for example, by not dropping litter or plastic bags around the coastline.”

World Oceans Day, held every June 8th, is a United Nations initiative celebrating the vital role oceans play in our lives. This year’s theme is Healthy oceans, healthy planet, and the emphasis is on protecting marine life from threats such as pollution and overfishing.

Manal Ataya, Director-General of SMD, said: “Our annual participation in World Oceans Day is a key strand of our social responsibility initiative, and demonstrates our commitment to preserving the rich ecosystem of Sharjah and the UAE as a whole.  We want the community to know they can actually make a difference and help by eating only sustainable seafood and reducing their consumption of plastic.”