The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi documents a second kingfish breeding season in the emirate

Abu Dhabi, 1st December / WAM / The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi recorded a pioneering scientific discovery, documenting a second breeding season for kingfish in the emirate’s waters during the period from September to November 2025, in addition to the main breeding season, which extends from April to June every year.

This discovery enhances understanding of the life cycle of this vital species, and contributes to supporting sustainable management of fisheries in Abu Dhabi.

This discovery came as a result of a research program to study the reproductive patterns of kingfish in the emirate, by continuing to collect samples and analyze them in the Authority’s laboratories to understand their reproductive behavior, and accurately document the seasonal periods of reproduction, which allows drawing a comprehensive scientific map of their life cycle.

Her Excellency Dr. Sheikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary-General of the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, said that based on the directives of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Ruler’s Representative in the Al Dhafra Region, to enhance scientific research and studies to ensure the sustainability of marine resources, documenting a second reproductive season for kingfish is a strategic achievement in fish stock management, as it provides a more accurate understanding of reproductive cycles, strengthens the scientific foundations of the analytical models that we adopt in formulating policies, and contributes to developing strategies. Effective to protect this vital species, which is considered one of the most prominent migratory fish economically and environmentally in the waters of the Arabian Gulf and the Indian Ocean, ensuring the preservation of biodiversity and the sustainability of marine resources for future generations.

For his part, Ahmed Al Hashemi, Executive Director of the Terrestrial and Marine Biodiversity Sector at the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, said that this scientific discovery represents an important step to enhance our knowledge of the biology of kingfish in our marine environment, gives us a clearer view of their reproductive cycles, and opens the way for developing policies and legislation aimed at protecting this species and its breeding habitats in the emirate’s waters.

Kingfish are a migratory pelagic species that moves in small groups across different depths, and is distinguished by its ability to travel long distances in search of food and suitable environments for reproduction.

The existence of two breeding seasons reveals an important biological flexibility that helps replenish its stock in the Arabian Gulf, which enhances the opportunities for sustainable management of this species when precise fishing controls based on scientific foundations are applied.

It is noteworthy that the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, as part of its integrated research program to study kingfish, is carrying out qualitative studies that include analyzing genetic DNA to understand its genetic and biological characteristics.

In 2023, the Authority launched an innovative project to track kingfish via satellite, the first of its kind in the world, and relies on installing tracking devices on the fish to provide accurate data on their movements, migration paths, and reproductive periods, which strengthens the ability to develop effective strategies for sustainable fisheries management.

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