A Roadmap to Operationalize the Marine Innovation Park at the Sheikh Khalifa Marine Research Centre

The UAE has sketched its ambition to become a pioneer in the sustainable food production sphere by boosting aquaculture with the signing of a Memorandum of Intent (MoI) between the Minister of State for Food Security, Her Excellency Mariam Almheiri, and James Cook University (JCU), Australia. This corporation will catalyse applied marine research associated with the National Food Security Strategy.

Signed on 10th July 2019, the contract relates to the Marine Innovation Park (MIP) at the Sheikh Khalifa Marine Research Centre in Umm AlQuwain, established under HH the Presidents Initiatives, and aims to harness JCUs knowledge and experience in biotechnology, data sciences and automation, aquaculture under controlled conditions, and with effective use of resources.

Under the terms of the MoI, JCU will work with the UAE to advance a strategic plan for the Marine Innovation Park. The parties will then work closely with industry, government and education stakeholders in the UAE, as well as other international institutes, to excel marine research in the region and upkeep food security targets.

The decision by H.E, Almheiri to select JCU as the partner of choice to develop the capacity of MIP was based upon the institutions research and development (R&D) expertise in advancing the Blue Economy - an developing economic concept that endorses better stewardship of the worlds oceans and for being globally renowned for its marine science research and teaching programs which have placed it in the top two percent of institutions operating in the field.

JCU has been consistently ranked as one of the worlds leading institutions for environmental management R&D and has particular strengths in studying tropical coastal ecosystems. The university has also established a global reputation for its R&D in macroalgae or seaweed - with its 14-year focus on the production and application of these aquatic plants responsible for the development of a core knowledge base that has led to a productive and profitable freshwater and marine macroalgae aquaculture sector.

This Memorandum of Intent characterizes a significant development in the UAEs quest to become a pioneer in aquaculture and in scaling up the commercial and sustainable making of fish and aquatic plants efficiently. The MIP will be a platform to advance excellence in intellectual capital, realize commercial potential, through innovation and research, address food security and respond to opportunities in the region through blue economy. The MIP capacity will enrich various research areas such as aquatic animal breeding, animal genetic improvement, nutrition and aquafeeds, hatchery techniques, fisheries stock assessment, controlling animal physiology and sustainable aquaculture. We are pleased to have signed an agreement with JCU, an international leader in the Blue Economy, to improve our capacities in this vital area, said H.E. Almheiri.

JCU Vice Chancellor Professor Sandra Harding said that JCU was delighted to support the UAE in its drive to become a world leader in aquaculture and e-technology. The professor admired the UAEs strategic vision to be an authority in marine innovation and said that the university deeply cherished the opportunity to partner with the UAE Government.

This is the first phase of whats anticipated to be a strong and mutually beneficial corporation between JCU and the United Arab Emirates. JCU has a global reputation for excellence in marine science, fisheries and aquaculture, and this partnership with the UAE Government acknowledges the universitys pre-eminence as world leaders in this area, said Professor Harding.

The signing of the MoI represents the first of three outlined stages for the Office of Food Securitys relationship with JCU. The second stage relates to operationalising MIP in line with strategic and technical planning processes that have been developed by JCU, and the third stage focuses on implementing actions to ensure its long-term sustainability via associations and partnerships.

The MoI will see the Office of Food Security working with JCU to position MIP as a regional and pioneer in marine innovation, develop the intellectual capital of the UAE and deliver sustainable economic success through Blue Economy initiatives geared towards future food security. Among the proposed activities between JCU and MIP to achieve these ends are staff exchanges, joint R&D programmes, a catalogue of research training activities, bi-lateral pursuit of philanthropic funding and the implementation of a governance model for MIP.