In pictures: Abu Dhabi's diverse coastline and the plan to protect it

Abu Dhabi's Eastern Mangroves would be a stretch of the emirate's coastline outlined as an area of natural significance that would need to be preserved. Sarah Dea / The National

Guidelines are being drawn up to protect the emirate’s vast and diverse coastline and marine life from future development as part of the 2030 project. Silvia Razgova/The National

A masterplan is needed to preserve Abu Dhabi’s 764 kilometres of mainland coastline and its waters, Falah Al Ahbabi, general manager of the Urban Planning Council, said as he launched the Plan Maritime 2030. Silvia Razgova / The National

The project, which is in its initial stages and is due to be finished at the end of year, will see the creation of an online mapping system of the coastline. Rich-Joseph Facun / The National

The map will show current and proposed developments and will earmark areas best suited to potential recreation and tourism use. Rich-Joseph Facun / The National)

The plan will also address the development of transport, safety, security and emergency planning, Mr Al Ahbabi said. Rich-Joseph Facun / The National

The plan will combat “major threats to maintaining biodiversity, including coastal development, urbanisation and over-exploitation of natural resources”. Rich-Joseph Facun / The National

A couple enjoys a private dinner on a beach at the Desert Island Resort & Spa by Anantara on Sir Bani Yas Island,. The resort is on the nature-preserve island. Silvia Razgova / The National

A view of the Sir Bani Yas Island from the air. Silvia Razgova / The National

A section of Abu Dhabi coastline in the Western Region. Along the emirate’s coastline there are also about 215 islands and the warm Arabian Gulf waters support a diverse and rich marine environment, including fragile wetlands, more than 60 per cent of the UAE’s mangroves and an internationally important dugong population. Rich-Joseph Facun / The National

“Abu Dhabi’s coastline and its islands provide us with food, are home to critical ecosystems, protect the population and form an integral part of our culture and heritage,” Mohamed Yousef Al Madfei, executive director of integrated environment policy and planning sector at Ead, said. Rich-Joseph Facun / The National

Abu Dhabi is booming and stretches of coastline will be developed such as The Tourism Development and Investment Company's Saadiyat Island project which includes the Louvre, Guggenheim and Zayed National Museum. Rendering courtesy TDIC

Al Raha beach development has already extended Abu Dhabi's populated coastline. Duncan Chard / Bloomberg

Khalifa Port in Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (Kizad) opened in December 2012, changing the waterways in the northern sections of the UAE coast. Plan Maritime 2030 will address the development of transport, safety, security and emergency planning, Mr Al Ahbabi said. Ryan Carter / Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi

Views along the UAE coast towards the Saudi border. Rich-Joseph Facun / The National