24 September 2004
ABU DHABI -- An Abu Dhabi-based firm has signed a joint partnership agreement with a leading US-based company to bring the latest technology in the field of artificial reefs.
Delma Industrial Supply and Marine services will be the agent of Artificial Reefs Inc., a professional reef and costal engineering firm located in the State of Florida.
Rodney Garner, a marine environmental scientist from Queensland, Australia, who was officially appointed as operations manager and marketing director under the partnership agreement told Khaleej Times that Artificial Reefs Inc. has already embarked on several projects in the UAE.
"At present our Middle East sector has already completed, or nearing completion, of three artificial reefs systems in the UAE. We are also currently in discussions with many of the potential clients such as the Environmental Research and Wildlife Development Agency (ERWDA), Nakheel, Dubai Municipality, Dolphin Energy Limited and Halcrow International," Mr Garner said.
"This partnership will help provide environmentally-friendly, stable and proven effective artificial reef systems for both the government and commercial sectors in this region," he added.
He said Artificial Reefs Inc. has spent many years in the research, design, manufacturing and testing of fully functional balanced artificial reef ecosystems.
"Since our formation we have placed thousands of our highly productive marine life habitats into the environment and as a result they have proved very successful in restoring depleted fish stocks and through their unique world patented design they also have the added benefit of providing foreshore beach protection from erosion. These attributes serve to further validate the contributions of our scientifically designed artificial reef system for the environment and its positive contributions for local communities, resort tourism industries and the overall economy."
By a staff reporter
© Khaleej Times 2004
