gulfnews.com | Wednesday, April 22, 2015 | Gulf News nation nation Integrated fisheries research plan for UAE Workshop held as part of change management programme Abu Dhabi Staff Report A uthorities have decided to formulate a nationwide integrated fisheries research plan for the first time in the UAE. This was discussed at a recent workshop organised by the Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi (EAD) and the Ministry of Environment and Water with UAE fisheries scientists. The workshop attended by 22 scientists and fisheries profes- sionals was held in the backdrop of the current severely overexploited state of the UAE’s fisheries. The workshop forms part of the wider UAE Fisheries Change Management Programme that will be launched by the ministry and the EAD imminently, a joint press release issued by the two authorities said yesterday. The scientific research workshop, which was the first step of the programme, hosted representatives from the ministry, the EAD, Dubai Municipality, Emirates Wildlife Society — WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature), and New York University - Abu Dhabi. Key research areas for 2016 and beyond were prioritised and included harmonising the gathering of data across the UAE, further research into the biology and genetics of key fish species, and evaluating the effects of non-fishing activities on fisheries. Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, Secretary-General of EAD, said: “The problem of dwindling fish stocks is not a legacy that we can pass on to future generations. It will be too late by then. But the good news is that with the active participation of all stakeholders we can halt and even reverse this decline for the good of our ecosystems, our fishing industry, ecotourism, cultural and leisure pursuits.” 31176105_4.1 Chongqing Varanasi, India ©Gulf News Solar Impulse 2 resumes journey plane takes off for Nanjing in China after three-week delay Abu Dhabi By Bi nsal A bdu l Kade r Staff Reporter T he first solar plane attempting a roundthe-world flight took off from Chongqing towards Nanjing in China yesterday morning after waiting for three weeks for better weather. Bertrand Piccard is flying the plane for an expected 14 hours across China in its sixth leg. Since the plane landed in Chongqing on March 31, cloudy weather conditions and excessive crosswinds prevented its take-off. Solar Impulse meteorologists and simulation teams were battling with unfavourable weather conditions to find solutions for the plane’s departure from Chongqing. Strategies explored included alternative routes, possible pit stops and flying at various altitudes. While considering several possibilities, the Civil Aviation Authority of China (CAAC) was very supportive, collaborative and flexible, for which Solar Impulse is grateful, a media alert issued by the Solar Impulse team said. After departing from Chongqing, the plane is heading east towards the city of Fuling, located in the province of Sichuan in China. Piccard will fly over the mountainous region just outside Fuling between noon and 1pm local time at a cruising altitude of 3,700 metres (12,140 feet). Piccard will continue in an easterly direction, crossing the longest river in Asia, the Yangtze River, then flying north-easterly towards the city of Wuhan. The solar-powered aircraft will pass BOOK SHELF Mandalay, Myanmar You can track the plane on Solar Impulse's website (www.solarimpulse.com), which provides live information about the plane's battery status, energy consumption, location and flight path, as well as how much the pilot has slept and how much food and water he has left. A video feed shows the plane's Monaco-based control room and footage from the cockpit. Source: Solar Impulse, Reuters WOODEN BAR was Dhs. 3,100 Muscat, Oman FOUR POSTER BED over Chaohu Lake, one of the largest lakes in China at roughly 8am local time. Piccard is expected to arrive in Nanjing at 4am UAE time today. The plane will remain in Nanjing for approximately 10 days, depending on weather conditions, as a thorough check of the airplane is required before departing for Hawaii on the Pacific crossing, which will last five days and nights. Seventh leg to Hawaii The seventh leg from Nanjing to Hawaii, flying across the Pacific Ocean, will be a feat that has never been accomplished by a zero-fuel airplane before. During the coming months, Piccard and Andre Borschberg will stop in Phoenix, Arizona, and North Africa or southern Europe before returning to Abu Dhabi to complete the circumnavigation of the world. NOW SHAWL Dhs. 3,570 NOW Dhs. 4,270 NOW Dhs. 4,100 NOW Dhs. 2,300 CREWEL BED COVER was Dhs. 1,975 Europe or Africa DESIGNER BED was Dhs. 5,900 New York LARGEST LLARGES ARGES ST C COLLECT COLLECTION LLECT OF PERSIAN, AFGHAN, PAKISTAN & KASHMIRI CARPETS IN DUBAI AT UNBELIEVABLY LOW PRICES NOW Dhs. 50 ISFAHAN NOW Dhs. 13,000 QUM SILK NOW Dhs. 16,000 NOW Dhs. 585 PAKISTAN WOOL & SILK was Dhs. 12,200 Indian expatriates buy gold on the occasion of Akshaya Tritiya (an auspicious date in the Vedic calendar) at a gold outlet in Al Ghusais. Phoenix 262910/51 NOW Dhs. 4,800 KASMIR SILK ON SILK KAZAK TABREZ was Dhs. 18,000 ■■ Hawaii Nanjing was Dhs. 6,100 US 2575 was Dhs. 7,300 Domestic use Julfar told Gulf News the directive is not related to domestic household water use, such as in kitchens and bathrooms at home, which will be billed as usual through the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa). The directive covers plots of private residential land or private farms integrated with the municipality piping or water supply system, he added. “Some people are already connected, others are getting added to this network by the municipality. We are going into some new areas,” Julfar said. It was not clear what the implications would be, if any, for expat tenants at Emiratiowned villas. Virendra Saklani/Gulf News Ahmedabad, India China was Dhs. 5,100 T Start/Finish Abu Dhabi Current flight path Route to LAST FEW DAYS was Dhs. 23,500 U nder a new rule, Dubai villa owners will pay a fixed monthly fee, instead of a variable metre rate, for irrigating their gardens, it was announced yesterday. They will receive treated wastewater for a monthly fee of two and a half fils for every square metre of the total land area. That means, for example, they will pay only Dh10 a month for a 400 square metre plot, about the size of a medium villa with some space for the front yard. The directive was issued by Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Minister of Finance and Chairman of Dubai Municipality, and announced on Tuesday. It also covers the irrigation of private farms and residential plots of land. UAE news agency WAM reported the directive stipulates the application of Executive Council Resolution No 21 of 2012 on the use of treated wastewater to irrigate privately owned farms, where owners of land can re- ceive treated wastewater for a monthly fee. Taleb Julfar, Director, Drainage and Irrigation Department, Dubai Municipality, said that the local decision was made to encourage owners of residential villas containing gardens to invest in and cultivate their space at a very low cost. He added that the development will contribute to increasing agriculture in Dubai and reducing the city’s carbon footprint. The 35,000km journey will span approximately 25 flight days between March and July A9 Warehouse was Dhs. 125 Dubai ■ Dubai he Ministry of Environment and Water yesterday launched the UAE’s first HydroAtlas detailing the existing groundwater conditions and trends to help policymakers formulate laws. The atlas consists of 10 main chapters and contains statistics, studies and maps that tackle crucial matters such as the quality of soil, surface water, and groundwater, among others, said Eng Mariam Saeed Hareb, Acting Assistant Undersecretary for Water Resources and Nature Conservation. “This is a fantastic project since we actually have data on all these issues where we can see trends on what have been happening. On top of that, we can make informed decisions,” Mariam said. Mariam said the atlas will be used to recommend draft laws to concerned emirates concerning water conservation. “As you know, water is not the ownership of the federal government. It’s the ownership of each emirate. So, with this information, it’s basically giving them data on where to base new laws and regulations.” Mariam said parts of the atlas will be uploaded in the ministry’s website to increase public awareness on water conservation in two or three weeks’ time. Prices further reduce ! The journey By Janice Ponce de Leon Staff Reporter Treated wastewater will cost two and a half fils per square-metre in dubai By Faisal M as u di Staff Reporter SOLA R I M PULSE 2 was Dhs. 32,500 Watering villa gardens gets cheaper HydroAtlas to help formulate water policy Gold rush was Dhs. 40,000 A8 Gulf News | Wednesday, April 22, 2015 | gulfnews.com NOW Dhs. 9,400 NOW Dhs. 2,900 NOW Dhs. 7,200 Shawls • Carpets • Antique Furniture • Fashion • Accessories & Curios Pride of Kashmir Home LLC (Warehouse) Al Quoz, 4th Interchange, Sheikh Zayed Road, The Connoisseurs’ Paradise OUR OUTLETS Souk Al Bahar: +971 4 420 3606 Grand Hyatt: +971 4 324 4096 Souk Madinat Jumeirah: +971 4 368 6110 Tel : +971 4 340 5343 TOLL FREE: 800 4997 Email: [email protected] www.prideofkashmir.com 31176335_1.1 31174911_2.1