"In addition to providing background information on the monitoring programme, the site provides up-to-date information on environmental conditions along the Dubai coast. The data provided includes local wave heights and water levels; wind, pressure and temperature readings; daily tidal predictions for Jumeirah Open Beach and updated video imagery obtained from two cameras installed on the Burj Al Arab hotel," Mr Abulhassan said.

 As the authority responsible for maintaining and developing the Dubai coastal zone, the municipality has identified the need for a coastal monitoring programme in order to gather coastal data in a logical and consistent manner.

  The Marine Works Unit within the General Projects Department has been tasked with developing, implementing and managing a monitoring programme for the entire coastline of the emirate.

   Mr Abulhassan said that the main objective of the monitoring programme was to allow the capturing and analysis of relevant coastal data to assist the municipality in managing the coastal zone effectively.

  This implies the regular capturing and analysis of topographic data; bathymetric data, near-shore wave measurements, tidal- and wave-driven current measurements, water level data, and sediment sampling data. The programme, he noted, also includes a novel system of elevated video cameras for monitoring coastal changes.

   The data gathered through the monitoring programme is used to identify and prioritise areas where the beaches erode, determine the timing and frequency of sand supply measures to beaches, identify both long and short term changes in beach behaviour, and evaluate the effectiveness of coastal protection structures.

   The identification of areas of particular danger to swimmers - such as areas with high waves and/or dangerous currents - and predicting future coastline responses through the use of measured data in the calibration and validation of physical and numerical models is also made possible owing to the collected data.

   Mr. Abulhassan pointed out that certain areas along the coastline, such as areas of rapid erosion, are of greater coastal management relevance than others and will require more detailed and frequent monitoring.

  The monitoring programme has been planned to incorporate all existing areas along the Dubai coastline, including Al Mamzar Lagoon and Dubai Creek, he said.

   A number of significant events have already been captured by the monitoring programme, including the occurrence of a surge in February 2003 and all the Shamals during the past winter, he noted.

   For more information queries can be directed through e-mail to marineu@dm.gov.ae.