Saline and Brackish Water Aquaculture in Desert: Potential of Protein Production and Fish Farming in the United Arab Emirates by Utilizing Desert

Brackish water aquaculture has emerged as a sustainable solution for utilizing desert and barren land in regions with limited freshwater resources. It is an innovative approach to utilizing barren and desert lands for sustainable aquaculture production. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a country with vast desert areas and brackish water resources, making it an ideal candidate for implementing this approach.  The United Arab Emirates (UAE), is known for its arid climate and vast desert landscapes, offering a prime opportunity for the implementation of brackish water aquaculture projects.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a very huge landmass of unproductive land (desert area) that has a great potential for fish production which boosts the economy of the country at a low cost and supports the desert ecosystem due to the availability of Underground Saline and Brackish Water. In addition, the conversion of the United Arab Emirates (UAE waste/arid/unproductive land for aquaculture and fish farming ponds plays a great role in providing a neat and clean protein source and livelihood which ultimately enhances the populations of the desert area, a main theme and important part of our ongoing saline and brackish water Aquaculture Project as well as a part of UNO Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Total Mainland of the United Arab Emirates:

The United Arab Emirates encompasses a total land area of approximately 83,600 square kilometers (World Bank, 2022). The country’s expansive landmass presents a significant opportunity for utilizing desert areas for brackish water aquaculture.

Desert Area of the United Arab Emirates:

The UAE is characterized by vast desert landscapes, with the Rub’ al Khali, also known as the Empty Quarter, being the largest continuous sand desert in the world. It occupies a large portion of the country’s land, extending into neighboring Saudi Arabia. The desert area of the UAE is estimated to be around 65,000 square kilometers (25,097 square miles). Desert areas constitute a significant portion of the country’s landmass, providing plenty of opportunities for the implementation of brackish water aquaculture projects.

Climate of the United Arab Emirates:

The United Arab Emirates experiences a desert climate, which is categorized as arid and hot. Summers are baking, with temperatures often exceeding 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit), while winters are relatively calm. The average annual rainfall is low, ranging from 50 to 150 millimeters (1.97 to 5.91 inches) (3). These arid conditions make brackish water aquaculture a viable solution for utilizing the available resources efficiently.

Terrain:

The UAE’s terrain is primarily desert, characterized by vast dunes, gravel plains, and rocky plateaus. The country’s topography allows for the establishment of brackish water aquaculture systems, utilizing the barren land effectively. The flat and arid terrain of the desert areas provides suitable conditions for brackish water aquaculture projects.

Rainfall in Desert Areas:

In desert areas, including the UAE, rainfall is irregular and unpredictable. The average annual rainfall in the UAE’s desert regions ranges from 30 to 100 millimeters (1.18 to 3.94 inches). However, it is important to note that rainfall patterns can vary significantly from year to year, and the distribution of rainfall is often unequal. The shortage of rainfall poses challenges for traditional agriculture but presents opportunities for utilizing alternative water sources such as brackish groundwater for aquaculture purposes.

Underground Water Resources:

The United Arab Emirates possesses significant underground brackish water resources, which can be utilized for brackish water aquaculture. These resources are primarily found in coastal areas, where saltwater intrusion has occurred due to geological and hydrological factors. The underground brackish water reserves provide a sustainable source of water for aquaculture operations.

Salinity Levels of Underground Water:

The salinity levels of underground brackish water resources in the UAE vary depending on the location. The average salinity ranges from 10 to 35 parts per thousand (ppt), which is suitable for cultivating various brackish water species, such as shrimp, tilapia, and certain types of mollusks.

Benefits of Brackish Water Aquaculture in the UAE

Brackish water aquaculture has several benefits for the UAE, including:

• Increased food security: Brackish water aquaculture can help to increase the UAE’s food security by providing a sustainable source of seafood.
• Economic development: Brackish water aquaculture can contribute to the UAE’s economic development by creating jobs and generating revenue.
• Environmental sustainability: Brackish water aquaculture can be a more environmentally sustainable way to produce seafood than traditional marine aquaculture.

Income Generation Potential:

The Desert area of the UAE is approximately 65,000 square kilometers (25,097 square miles), which is equivalent to 16 million acres, we can calculate the potential income as follows:

• Potential Income = (Desert Area in Acres) × (Income per Acre)
• Potential Income = 16,000,000 acres × $2877
• Potential Income = 46.03 US Billion Dollars

Therefore, utilizing 16 million acres of desert land through brackish water aquaculture in the UAE has the potential to generate an estimated income of 46.03 US Billion Dollars

Conclusion:

The United Arab Emirates presents promising opportunities for the implementation of brackish water aquaculture projects, leveraging its vast desert landscapes and abundant underground water resources. By capitalizing on the country’s favorable climate and terrain, brackish water aquaculture can emerge as a sustainable solution for food production and economic development in the UAE.

References:

1. CIA World Factbook – United Arab Emirates: https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/united-arab-emirates/
2. Encyclopædia Britannica – Rub’ al Khali: https://www.britannica.com/place/Rub-al-Khali
3. UAE Interact – Climate: https://www.uaeinteract.com/travel/climate.asp
4. UAE Interact – Rainfall: https://www.uaeinteract.com/travel/climate.asp
5. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) – Aquaculture in the United Arab Emirates: Present Status and Future Prospects: http://www.fao.org/3/y3643e/y3643e0c.htm
6. World Bank. (2022). United Arab Emirates Country Profile. Retrieved from https://data.worldbank.org/country/united-arab-emirates