Hyatt Hotels in the UAE announced that their hotels across Dubai and Abu Dhabi have collaborated with the Emirates Wildlife Society (EWS)-World Wildlife Foundation (WWF) to introduce their Choose Wisely campaign to Hyatt hotels in the UAE. The integration of the Choose Wisely campaign into food and beverage outlets at Hyatt-branded hotels in the UAE aligns with Hyatt’s global responsibility platform Hyatt Thrive and Hyatt’s global philosophy Food. Thoughtfully Sourced. Carefully Served.

The Choose Wisely campaign will be implemented into five Hyatt-branded hotels in the UAE, including Park Hyatt Dubai, Grand Hyatt Dubai, Hyatt Regency Dubai, Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi, and Hyatt Capital Gate Abu Dhabi. The hotels’ restaurants will create special sustainable fish dishes using sustainable-listed local fish as defined by the Choose Wisely consumer guide.

When fish are caught more often than what the ocean can sustain, overfishing depletes the natural fish populations. Studies conducted by the EWS –WWF have shown that overfishing is a significant problem in the UAE, and the overall number of commercial fish in the country has declined by 80 percent in the last 30 years. In the UAE, 60 percent of the total catch is made up of species that are fished beyond sustainable levels, and eight of the most valuable commercial fish are being overexploited including Shaari, Farsh and Kanaad. Hamour, otherwise known as Orange-spotted Grouper, is fished at over seven times the sustainable level and is the most overfished species in the country. According to market research conducted by EWS-WWF, 66 percent of residents eat fish at least once a week, the UAE’s high demand for fish indicates a necessity to ensure alternative options are available.

“Food. Thoughtfully Sourced. Carefully Served. is focused on sourcing and providing food and beverage options that are good for Hyatt guests and associates, good for the planet, and good for local communities,” said John Beveridge, Area Director for Hyatt Hotels & Resorts in Dubai and General Manager of Grand Hyatt Dubai. “The Choose Wisely initiative fits well within our food philosophy and highlights our commitment to healthy people, a healthy planet and healthy communities.”

“We are thankful for the support of the Choose Wisely campaign by Hyatt hotels in the UAE, and we look forward to working with each of the hotels to introduce sustainable fish practices into the hotels’ restaurant kitchens and menus,” said Lisa Perry, Programme Director, EWS-WWF. “Consumer awareness is an important step in tackling overfishing, and by choosing to buy sustainable fish, we can lower the demand for threatened species. Hotels and restaurants can play a crucial role in being part of the solution by empowering consumers through offering sustainable choices and raising awareness of the issue of overfishing.”

Throughout 2013, Hyatt hotels in the UAE will also be supporting the efforts of EWS-WWF by encouraging wider education to school children as part of workshops and training venues, as well as introducing hotel guests and Hyatt Gold Passport members to the Choose Wisely campaign and the overall education and conservation projects by EWS-WWF.

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