The state of Gulf’s (ROPME Sea Area) marine environment has long suffered due to the impact of many anthropogenic stressors such as the extraction of oil, effects of drilling, refining, dredging, and landfilling, pollution, algal blooms as well as global maritime transportation. The impacts of coastal development, climate change and invasive species have further degraded the state of Gulf ecosystem. These factors negatively affect water quality, fisheries, aquaculture and tourism which are all economically critical to the region.

The Aquatic Ecosystem Health and Management Society (AEHMS) is not new to the region, since over the last 20 years it has been actively involved in organizing scientific conferences on the health of the Gulf marine ecosystem. Since 2006 three GULF conferences have been organized, out of which two have been convened by UAE at Al Ain. These events resulted in the publication of 4 special issues of Aquatic Ecosystem Health & Management (AEHM).

The GULF4 will be hosted by the continuing support and interest of the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) at Al Ain. This conference confirms the leadership of the UAE to tackle major environmental problems which affect the Gulf ecosystem, through the exchange of scientific knowledge of both international and regional experts. The AEHMS and UAEU are excited to welcome scientists, managers, and students to put the state of health, ecology and sustainability of the Gulf under the microscope once again.

Are you concerned about the state of the Gulf? Please join us at the GULF4 conference “Sustainable management of the Gulf ecosystem health under climate change: Regional experiences and global practices” this November 26 to 28.