CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE

    Welcome to the World of the Emirates Diving Association – EDA.

    As a nation of seafarers and pearl divers, we are historically and socially indebted to our seas. Our timeless heritage and traditions as people dependent on fisheries and seaborne trade have contributed enormously towards our regional prosperity and development.

    From the earliest times, our pearl diving history allowed us to develop an intimate relationship with our natural world. Many of our seafarers, divers and fishermen had the instinctive ability to read every wave, to hear the wind and to feel the forces of nature. In today’s world, instinct has largely been replaced by academics. The old ways make way for the new and our quest for prosperity makes way for a desire of further knowledge and understanding. As more and more scientists and divers explore the boundaries of our coastline, the information they unveil will become paramount to our government’s efforts towards ensuring the survival of our seas.

    Divers are generally very aware of the fragility of the oceans, and we want to encourage the diving community to use their knowledge in helping others to understand the need for our marine world. The simplest way this can be achieved is through passing on acquired knowledge to others. EDA is fully committed to creating a harmonious and healthy diving environment so that future generations will continue to enjoy the same marine life and experiences that we have.

    EDA is a non-profit organisation consisting of a handful of volunteers sharing a common goal – a love for the sea. We have set our goals with the best intentions in mind. Nevertheless, we understand the controversy surrounding any environmental subject and are willing to listen to and share your thoughts. Therefore, we call on those concerned individuals, organisations and agencies with a similar or common interest, to come forward, suggest an improvement, prepare an idea, share a thought, or even lend a hand. We need your help and you can definitely make a difference.

    Yours Sincerely,
    Essa Abdulla Al Ghurair
    Chairman

    OUR MISSION

    EDA’s mission is to conserve, protect and restore the UAE’s marine resources by emphasising and promoting the underwater environment and environmental diving.

    OUR RESPONSIBILITIES:
    EDA is a non-profit NGO registered with the Ministry of Community Development as per the Ministerial Decree No. 149.

    The Decree stipulates the following responsibilities for EDA:

    • Ensure environmentally respectful diving practices in all EDA members.
    • Support the diving industry within the UAE by coordinating the efforts of the diving community.
    • Promote safety in the commercial and recreational diving fields through standardisation of practices.
    • Preserve historical aspects of diving within the gulf region and enhance environmental education to diving and non-diving communities through EDA projects and events.

    THE EDA TEAM

    BOARD MEMBERS

    Essa is a businessman who has been diving for many years. He is well known underwater by his unique ‘yellow’ fins. He is an experienced diver, a keen photographer, a PADI Divemaster and a CMAS Instructor.

    Khalfan is a retired Law Enforcement Officer and experienced diver who cares greatly about the sea.

    Jamal is an avid diver descended from a family of seafarers and sea merchants. Jamal has a strong commercial background due to his involvement in various businesses in the country. He has good organisational and leadership skills which prove to be extremely valuable for a non-profit organisation such as the Emirates Diving Association.

    THE EXECUTIVE TEAM

    Ibrahim is an Environmental/Civil Engineer with many experiences in environmental issues. He has worked closely with NGO’s having coordinated lots of environmental projects and campaigns in the UAE and West Asia. He is the driving force behind EDA, having placed the association in the public eye, and building up a team of volunteers to achieve EDA’s goals. He works closely with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) on Civil Society, Youth, Sports and Sustainable Development issues as the UNEP UNESCO YouthXchange Project – West Asia Coordinator.

    Ally joined EDA in December 2004 when she created and introduced the organisation’s quarterly magazine, “Divers for the Environment”.

    She played a central role in the development of Digital Online – EDA’s Underwater Photography and Film Competition from its launch in 2009, as well as introducing the film category as an extension in 2012 to share our underwater world through motion pictures, and has managed the event since inception. Today, Ally continues to oversee the EDA team and develop the brand, manages design and production of the magazine, handles photography and videography, and runs the organisation’s events and social media, all in the name of ocean conservation.  

    Layla is originally from the North Eastern coast of America, also recognised as a maritime hub for marine life, including our beloved whales. Stemming from this coastal culture, her care and passion to conserve and advocate for the ocean’s population has been ever growing. She recently started to dive to get a better understanding of how to help what we cannot see above the surface, and participate in underwater clean-ups.

    Rania is an avid diving instructor and People & Culture leader with a passion for marine conservation and underwater photography. Having lived, dived and worked in different parts of the world, Rania, who is originally from Egypt, recently relocated back to Dubai and is excited to restart the Reef Check programme with EDA.
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