Atlantis Dubai is marking the third anniversary of its pioneering sustainability initiative, the Atlantis Atlas Project, by announcing a bold new commitment: 100% seafood traceability across its dining establishments. This announcement coincides with World Oceans Day on June 8th, a fitting occasion to highlight the resort's ongoing efforts to protect marine ecosystems and promote responsible tourism.

In a significant step towards transparency and sustainability, Atlantis Dubai has partnered with Seafood Souq, a UAE-based organization dedicated to establishing clear and accountable seafood supply chains. This collaboration began in 2022 and has already made notable strides. Seafood Souq’s innovative SFS Trace technology allows every piece of seafood served at Atlantis Dubai’s restaurants to be tracked from ocean to table, ensuring comprehensive insights into sourcing practices.

The SFS Trace system collects and audits detailed data on each seafood item, whether wild-caught or farmed. For wild-caught seafood, this includes information like the date of capture, fishing gear used, and the vessel's registration. For farmed seafood, the system tracks species, feed sources, and welfare standards. This data is then verified and compiled into a digital impact dashboard, which Atlantis Dubai uses to monitor and improve its procurement practices.

By August 2023, the traceability technology was fully operational at Atlantis Dubai, with regular quarterly audits ensuring compliance and data accuracy. By the end of 2023, 68.7% of the seafood served was traceable, rising to 90% by March 2024. Atlantis Dubai aims to achieve full traceability by December 2024, making it a leader in sustainable seafood sourcing in the region.

Since its launch, the Atlantis Atlas Project has spearheaded numerous initiatives to promote environmental stewardship and sustainability. Key achievements over the past year include:

Solar Energy: Installation of solar panels has saved 767 tonnes of CO2 emissions, equivalent to the carbon absorption of 15,435 trees.

Food Waste Reduction: Implementation of Winnow technology in buffet restaurants has cut edible food waste by 40%.

Waste Management: Recycling bins in all 1,544 guest rooms at Atlantis, The Palm, enhance waste segregation efforts.

Plastic Reduction: Transition to refillable pump bottles for amenities in guest rooms has diverted 3 million plastic tubes from landfills annually.

Water Bottle Replacement: Over 2.6 million single-use plastic bottles have been replaced with glass refillable bottles.

Educational Outreach: Introduction of new school programs at The Lost Chambers Aquarium has boosted attendance by 253% in 2023 compared to the previous year.

Inclusive Guest Experience: Atlantis Dubai became the first resort destination in the Eastern Hemisphere to earn the IBCCES Certified Autism Center™ Designation, enhancing accessibility for autistic and sensory-sensitive guests.

Soap Recycling: The UNISOAP UAE initiative has collected 70.7kg of discarded soap from the properties for recycling.

Atlantis Dubai’s efforts are not just about operational changes but also about fostering a culture of sustainability among guests and staff. The resort’s culinary and procurement teams work closely with Seafood Souq to select responsible suppliers, and future plans include allowing guests to scan a QR code to view the traceability score of their seafood dishes.

Fahim Al Qasimi, Co-Founder and Executive Chairperson of Seafood Souq, underscores the importance of this initiative, stating, “Traceability of seafood supply chains is crucial for food safety and ocean protection. We are proud to partner with Atlantis on this pioneering initiative, a first for the region.”

As Atlantis Dubai celebrates the third anniversary of the Atlantis Atlas Project, it doubles down on its commitment to sustainability. For every marine animal experience participated in by a guest on World Oceans Day and the following day, the resort will double its $1 USD contribution to support future conservation and education projects.

To learn more about the Atlantis Atlas Project and explore how you can get involved, visit www.atlantis.com/atlasproject.