Foreword

It is well known that the Arabian Gulf’s marine environment has long suffered due to the extracting of oil, effects of drilling, refining, dredging and landfilling, as well as global maritime transportation. The impacts of coastal development, multiple stressors and emerging issues, such as climate change, invasive species and costal alterations, have further degraded the Gulf ecosystem. These negatively affect water quality, fisheries, aquaculture and tourism which are all economically critical to the region.

The Aquatic Ecosystem Health and Management Society (AEHMS) is not new to the region; over the last 15 years it has been actively involved in organizing scientific conferences on the health of the Gulf marine ecosystem. The Society was instrumental in organizing and publishing the first comprehensive book “The Gulf Ecosystem: health and sustainability” (Khan et al., 2002), sponsored by the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR). This was followed by the convening of the first GULF conference in collaboration with United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, in 2006, which resulted in the publication of an AEHM special issue entitled “The State of the Gulf Ecosystem: future and threats” (AEHMS, 2007), sponsored by UNESCO. The Society continued its activities in the Gulf by publishing a comprehensive review by Hamza and Munawar (2009) in its journal. The next event was the convening of the GULF II conference in Kuwait, during 2011, which also resulted in the publication of a special issue, “Changing Gulf ecosystem: Ecology, health and management” (AEHMS, 2012).

The recent Gulf 3 conference was a continuation of the active collaboration between the AEHMS and United Arab Emirates University (UAEU). This conference was inaugurated by the opening remarks of H.E. Saeed Ahmed Ghobash – Chancellor of the UAE University, that was delivered by H.E. Mohamed Abdullah Al Baeily – Vice Chancellor of the UAE University. Following this, was the Environmental statement speech by His Excellency Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, UAE. Finally, Dr. Mohiuddin Munawar, Conference Co-chair and President of the Aquatic Ecosystem Health & Management Society, Canada, welcomed all delegates and provided an overview of the GULF series of conferences since the inception in 2006, which was hosted in Al-Ain as well. Emphasis was placed on holding such conferences regularly, followed by publications for global interaction and for keeping the Arabian Gulf science up to date and in pace with world aquatic research.

Gulf 3 focused on major environmental issues which strain the health of the Gulf ecosystem. The conference was designed to cover current research in the region and to promote exchange of scientific knowledge between various experts and researchers. Response to the conference was overwhelming with 41 orals, 9 keynote lectures, and 10 posters which were categorized into the following sessions:

1. Climate change: Impact and adaptation

2. Coastal ecology and harmful algal blooms

3. Water quality and remedial actions

4. Biodiversity conservation and foodweb changes

5. Marine pollution

6. Fishes and biota

7. Ecological impairments and invasive species

8. Session highlights, panel discussion and conference overview

A delicious banquet barbecue was arranged by the Local Organizing Committee on the second evening of the conference, which provided an excellent opportunity for social interaction between the delegates.

Interest in publishing in the conference special issue has been large and positive. All of the submitted articles have been subjected to standard peer review. Since it would be difficult to accommodate all papers in a single special issue, the Editorial Committee decided to distribute Gulf papers in two parts. Herewith is Part I, which includes four articles from the conference, including two keynotes.

We take this opportunity to sincerely thank the Minister of the Environment & Climate Change, UAE, the Environmental Agency- Abu Dhabi; and the UAEU Chancellor and Vice Chancellor for their support and encouragement. Thanks are also extended to the Biology Department and the College of Science, UAEU, who took the initiative and carried the responsibility of organizing this successful conference in collaboration with the AEHMS. Our warm gratitude is due to GULF 3 mentors, members of the Organizing, Scientific, Local Organizing Committees, and AEHMS secretariat for their contributions and hard work toward the organization of this conference in beautiful Al-Ain.

Dr. Mohiuddin Munawar
Conference Co-chair
President, AEHMS
Chief Editor, AEHM Prof. Waleed Hamza
Conference Co-chair
Professor, UAEU
Editorial Advisor, AEHM