Mourjan Marinas IGY launches UNESCO initiative
UNESCO scientists are observing floating mangroves grown at Lusail marina. It is part of a Mourjan IGY initiated project to investigate whether mangroves contribute to reduction of atmospheric carbon levels.…
UNESCO Doha, in partnership with Mourjan Marinas IGY and Lusail Real Estate Development Company, has announced a new project supporting the growth of floating mangroves at Lusail Marina. The experiment investigates the use of floating mangroves for carbon sequestration, or the capturing of carbon emissions.
“For a long time it has been Mourjan’s vision to have this break-through initiative incorporated into the design and construction of our marinas. We are excited to see the outcomes of the experiment,” said Wayne Sheperd, general manager at Mourjan Marinas IGY.
Results will help scientists see if the floating mangroves can help reduce atmospheric carbon levels. Floating mangroves can contribute to environmental well-being by reducing land based marine pollution through taking up potassium, nitrogen and phosphates. Globally, mangroves are rapidly declining in quantity, hence a concerted effort to conserve them and demonstrate their benefits.
“In the past, some have suggested producing mangroves in inland deserts under seawater irrigation to make the deserts green. However, this is a controversial approach due to the dangers of irreversible salinization of soils and ground-water, as well as habitat loss,” said Benno Boer, ecological sciences advisor for UNESCO Arab Region.
“Our floating mangroves experiment is totally unique and suggests an alternative method which has not yet grasped the attention of the climate change movement,” he added.
Mourjan Marinas IGY approached UNESCO with the idea a year ago. UNESCO has since been working on ecological observations, seed collection, preparation and planting in floating boxes.
“Conservation of the local environment and being as eco friendly as we can is extremely important to Mourjan Marinas IGY – we ensure that all of our marinas are built and maintained with the greatest sensitivity to the local environment,” said Sheperd.
The Superyacht Management Meeting: Environment & MARPOL is on 25 June, in Barcelona. Click here to register your attendance, or call +44 (0) 20 7801 1014 to register over the phone with Suzie, alternatively email suzie@thesuperyachtgroup.com
“For a long time it has been Mourjan’s vision to have this break-through initiative incorporated into the design and construction of our marinas. We are excited to see the outcomes of the experiment,” said Wayne Sheperd, general manager at Mourjan Marinas IGY.
Results will help scientists see if the floating mangroves can help reduce atmospheric carbon levels. Floating mangroves can contribute to environmental well-being by reducing land based marine pollution through taking up potassium, nitrogen and phosphates. Globally, mangroves are rapidly declining in quantity, hence a concerted effort to conserve them and demonstrate their benefits.
Representatives from Lusail with Dr Benno before a sample of the floating mangroves
“In the past, some have suggested producing mangroves in inland deserts under seawater irrigation to make the deserts green. However, this is a controversial approach due to the dangers of irreversible salinization of soils and ground-water, as well as habitat loss,” said Benno Boer, ecological sciences advisor for UNESCO Arab Region.
“Our floating mangroves experiment is totally unique and suggests an alternative method which has not yet grasped the attention of the climate change movement,” he added.
Mourjan Marinas IGY approached UNESCO with the idea a year ago. UNESCO has since been working on ecological observations, seed collection, preparation and planting in floating boxes.
“Conservation of the local environment and being as eco friendly as we can is extremely important to Mourjan Marinas IGY – we ensure that all of our marinas are built and maintained with the greatest sensitivity to the local environment,” said Sheperd.
The Superyacht Management Meeting: Environment & MARPOL is on 25 June, in Barcelona. Click here to register your attendance, or call +44 (0) 20 7801 1014 to register over the phone with Suzie, alternatively email suzie@thesuperyachtgroup.com
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