Dubai is growing coral in hotel lagoons before moving it back to the sea; the unusual nursery has produced more than 2,500 coral fragments

(Image Credit: Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism)

Dubai is typically famous for its real estate restoration. It is a success story of turning a desert landscape into a world class city today with high rises all around. The architectural wonders, from the Burj Khalifa to incredible builds, attract the attention of anyone visiting the city. However, the oil-exporting city has taken up a fresh initiative to embrace the natural elements surrounding the city. The renowned Jumeirah Hotel started a pilot project for conservation of coral reefs. Today, the initiative comes under the Dubai Reef which is one of Gulf’s most ambitious coral conservation projects. It is led by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) which aims to restore biodiversity across Dubai’s sea line.

Why Coral Reefs Matter

Corals are mesmerising structures of tiny marine animals to create some of the ocean’s most extraordinary wonders. They are often called “rainforests of the sea” as they provide shelter, food and breeding grounds for other marine species. Beneath the waves, they form a vibrant world where life flourishes in a kaleidoscope of colours, shapes and movement. Yet, these underwater treasures are far more than a feast for the eyes. Coral reefs act as natural barriers, protecting coastlines from powerful waves and storms.

Representative Image (Image Credit: Canva)

The coral ecosystems are one of the most sensitive to exist, with requirements of specific temperatures and salinity levels. Any fluctuation in these parameters can lead to death of entire colonies of corals. Today, rising ocean temperatures, coral bleaching, pollution and ocean acidification threaten their delicate existence. Preserving them means protecting not just the corals themselves, but an entire world that depends on their survival. For when these underwater gardens fade, the ocean loses a little of its colour, its shelter and its life.Jumeirah has developed a network of saltwater lagoons which were initially for sea turtle rehabilitation. They transformed into the world’s first coral nursery which has become a site for coral restoration in the gulf waters. Even though Dubai seems to be an unlikely place to set this experiment, the observation that some of the corals in the Arabian Gulf have evolved to survive in harsh marine conditions intrigued the scientific community studying climate resilience.

The Science of Coral Restoration

Al Naseem nursery of Jumeirah, which began as a pilot in 2023, has already produced 2500 coral fragments. Out of these over 300 have been translocated to the sea. The man-made lagoons get water directly from the Arabian Gulf and are connected narrowly to the sea. In order to provide breeding ground, shelter and to hold plankton to the newly bred corals, cave structures have been built inside the lagoons. The project aims to restore corals primarily that were dislocated during construction and those that are at risk due to siltation. Even with sea temperatures rising beyond ideal conditions, scientists believe that the Phoenix effect helped them come to life. Under the Phoenix effect, corals that appear dead regenerate from polyps that survive deep within the skeleton.

Representative Image (Image Credit: Canva)

One of the most interesting aspects of Dubai’s coral restoration effort is how it combines marine conservation with innovative design. The nursery uses a technique called micro-fragmentation, in which healthy coral colonies are divided into tiny pieces. They are then attached to structures which are specially prepared for corals at this stage. Further, under suitable conditions, these fragments can grow and eventually be returned to the sea. This helps in rebuilding damaged reef habitats in natural environments.

Beyond Growing Corals

The maintenance of the coral colonies is much more accessible due to the artificial nature of the structures. Unlike the open-water nurseries, the synthetic conditions with natural light and rich plankton presence have made it possible to maintain the ideal conditions. Fragments of corals are cut and pasted to small concrete structures in the lagoons which are then carefully monitored. As they heal and attach they are transferred to offshore nurseries where they further mature in controlled environments for the next 18 months. The concrete blocks are also made from limestone cement that is sourced locally which makes it a sustainable choice. It provides calcium carbonate which is the element that also forms coral skeletons.However, coral restoration is not simply about growing more corals. Different species create different reef shapes, providing varied habitats for fish and other marine organisms. Their survival must be monitored over time to understand whether restored areas can support a thriving ecosystem. Dubai Reef’s broader programme also aims to create habitats through purpose-built reef modules and advance research into marine conservation.The process is a reminder that restoring nature requires patience. A reef cannot be rebuilt overnight; each fragment needs time to attach, grow and become part of a larger living system.