The Sharjah Marine Science Research Centre: Establishing a New Hub for Marine Research, Education, and Ocean Literacy in the UAE

The Sharjah Marine Science Research Centre (SMSRC), located in Khorfakkan on the Gulf of Oman, United Arab Emirates, is a newly established marine research and education facility developed to support interdisciplinary marine science, ocean observation, education, and innovation in the region. Affiliated to the University of Khorfakkan, the SMSRC was officially inaugurated in 2025, and represents a major investment in marine research infrastructure within the UAE, one of the newest members of the World Association of Marine Stations (WAMS), and a contribution to the growing global network of marine stations and observing platforms. Located adjacent to the Al Qalqali Marine Protected Area, the SMSRC provides direct access to coral reefs, rocky reefs, mangroves, seagrass habitats, and deeper offshore environments in the Gulf of Oman. It also provides a gateway to the deepwater, up-welling systems of the North-West Indian Ocean. The SMSRC integrates laboratory facilities, aquarium systems, scientific diving operations, field research capability, and emerging ocean observing infrastructure through the developing Sharjah Marine Observatory (SMO). The SMSRC’s research priorities focus on safeguarding both marine ecosystems and human well-being through interdisciplinary research in marine biology, ecology and conservation, marine genomics and microbial sciences, and marine chemistry and biogeochemistry. These themes support research addressing the three major ocean challenges; namely marine pollution, climate change, and biodiversity loss. The SMSRC is also strongly linked to higher education, student training, outreach, and ocean literacy initiatives through the University of Khorfakkan’s BSc programme in Marine Biology (a first of its kind for the UAE), hosting international students and researchers, public engagement activities, scientific diving training, and field-based experiential learning opportunities for students and the wider community. This poster presents an overview of the SMSRC’s infrastructure, research vision, educational role, and future development plans as an emerging marine station in the Middle East.