Atlantis, The Palm celebrates all things UAE on Friday, 29 November with a special UAE-themed Family Fun Day at The Lost Chambers Aquarium. Visitors can try henna painting, learn about local marine species, hear UAE folklore and see the UAE flag flying underwater. One child enters free with each paying adult and 10 per cent of proceeds from adult tickets will go to the charity Dubai Cares in the spirit of supporting the local community.
The highlight of the day is a free dive in The Ambassador Lagoon by UAE free-diving champion Ahmed Khoori to help raise awareness of ocean conservation and the UAE’s pearl diving past. “Free-diving allows people to enjoy the ocean for its majesty, and I want to help inspire people to look after our oceans so future generations can enjoy them as much as I do,” said Khoori. “Free-diving also echoes the UAE’s traditional pearl diving past, so it’s an honour to bring some of that history back to life so that it is not forgotten.”
The marine exhibit for local species, Unicorn Leather Jacket Fish will also be lit in the colours of the UAE flag to commemorate the upcoming UAE National Day. There will also be a conservation education station, showing guests how to grow their own coral and teaching them about breeding seahorses and preserving marine species, something The Lost Chambers Aquarium has had great experience with.
“It’s very important we try to focus on preserving the local marine species of the UAE. We need to celebrate the native species of the UAE and focus on responsible fishing and stock replenishment so we can help raise their numbers in the wild,” said Natasha Christie, Director of The Lost Chambers Aquarium, who has been working this year to raise awareness of the plight of many local species.
