Page 144 - ADCMC PR REPORT - OCTOBER 2024

10/10/24, 3:13 PM EAD conducted tabletop exercise to mitigate red tide, fish kill events – The Gulf Time Newspaper
EAD conducted tabletop exercise to mitigate red tide, fish

kill events

ABU DHABI / WAM

The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) conducted a tabletop exercise, Med 1/2024, to explore possible responses to
red tide and fish kill events in coordination with the Emergencies, Crises and Disaster Management Centre Abu Dhabi.

The exercise brought together 16 Abu Dhabi government entities to test their readiness for responding quickly and effectively
to threats posed by red tide and fish kills in the emirate.
“The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi is the leading entity concerning the risk of red tide and fish kills, based on the
emirate’s local risk register. This register is part of an integrated system for emergency, crisis, and disaster management at
the local level in Abu Dhabi, aimed at raising the readiness of concerned entities to respond quickly and effectively to
emergency situations and threats of all kinds,” said Khaled Mohammed Al Hajri, Director of the Emergency, Safety and
Business Continuity Office at the Agency.
Al Hajri noted that during Exercise Tide 1/2024, various potential scenarios requiring complete readiness and preparedness of
all relevant authorities were reviewed.
He emphasised the importance of work teams from each government entity committing to the general response plan for red
tide events and fish deaths, given the urgency and impact on response speed in mitigating dangers and reducing effects.
Through these exercises, EAD seeks to achieve several main objectives, primarily raising the readiness of work teams trained
on unified concepts within the emergency and crisis management system. This includes assigning roles and responsibilities,
developing teams’ skills, fostering cooperation, and building a ‘one team’ ethos. The exercises also aim to test the efficiency of

mechanisms, equipment, and smart systems for information exchange and financial resource allocation in emergencies,
ensuring assets and resources are well-prepared for crisis response operations.
These exercises further aim to enhance the quality of planning, preparedness, and institutional readiness by measuring the
effectiveness of the emergency response plan and the speed of response. They also involve assessing event data, gathering
evidence, and following up on recovery processes. Additionally, the exercises help identify high-risk areas and future risks to
develop proactive mitigation measures, and they support the continuous improvement of emergency response based on best
local and international practices and standards.
The exercise included interactive discussion sessions where participants exchanged ideas and experiences, leading to
practical recommendations for improving marine water quality sustainably. Key recommendations included enhancing public-

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