DUGONGS IN ABU DHABI 01
Worldwide there are approximately 100,000 dugongs, almost 90% live in Australian waters. The Arabian Gulf and Red Sea host an estimated 7,300 dugongs. This is the second largest population outside Australia. About 40% (3,000) of these occur in the UAE making Abu Dhabi a significant location for dugong conservation. In the UAE, dugongs are primarily found in Abu Dhabi. Although their range extends as far north as Jebel Ali, most are found to the west of Abu Dhabi. Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi has been monitoring dugongs in the UAE since 1999 with support from TOTAL and TOTAL Abu Al Bukhoosh. The studies include regular monitoring of dugongs and their habitats, the study of migration using satellite telemetry, investigating mortalities, education and awareness programmes and undertaking international and regional cooperation in conserving dugongs.
// The Western Region of Abu Dhabi is home to more than 2,800 Dugongs. EAD with support from TOTAL and TOTAL Abu Al Bukhoosh has been monitoring this population since 1999.
02 AN OVERVIEW OF DUGONG CONSERVATION IN ABU DHABI UAE is signatory to the United Nations Environmental Programme - Convention on Migratory Species Dugong Conservation Memorandum of Understanding and has joined dugong range states to protect dugongs and their habitats globally, regionally and locally. Conservation of dugongs in Abu Dhabi includes long-term monitoring of the species and its habitat, study of their ecology and biology, education and awareness campaigns and regional collaboration. The total number of dugongs in Abu Dhabi has remained stable; however significant threats could significantly impact the population. Mortality of dugongs in abandoned and/or illegal fishing nets is the primary threat. EAD is actively engaging with the fishing community to help alleviate this threat. Coastal development poses a significant threat. Appropriate conservation actions must be implemented now. Any threat to seagrass beds is a threat to dugongs. Ecological studies of seagrass meadows in Abu Dhabi is underway in order to develop a conservation and management plan of seagrass ecosystems.
EAD regularly monitors the dugong population and assesses its distribution throughout Abu Dhabi.
DUGONG POPULATION NUMBERS IN ABU DHABI 03 3000 2800 SUMMER & WINTER SURVEYS 2004-2014 2925 2846 2876 2600 2400 2200 2291 2501 2465 summer winter 2000 2004 2010 2014
EAD regularly monitors the dugong population and assesses its distribution throughout Abu Dhabi. Over the past 15 years of monitoring, Abu Dhabi s dugong population has remained stable within the survey zones that mostly cover protected areas. Both summer and winter surveys of dugong populations remain mostly unchanged and the frequency of mother-calf sightings are indicative of a healthy and stable population. Survey results show a seasonal fluctuation in the number of dugongs observed. The cooler water temperatures and more abundant seagrass cover during winter helps make dugongs more active and visible. In the warm water of the summer, dugongs are less active and less visible.
POPULATION DISTRIBUTION Dugongs can be found throughout Abu Dhabi; however most occur in the Marawah Marine Biosphere Reserve and Al Yasat Marine Protected Area. The highest density is observed near Bu Tinah island, with nearly three times as many dugongs as other areas. Dugongs live in areas with substantial seagrass cover because it is their only food source. These seagrass beds grow on the sea floor at depths up to 16 metres. 04 Points on the map indicate locations where dugongs were sighted during a 2014 aerial survey. Most dugongs are sighted in protected areas. Green areas indicate seagrass cover.
To better understand the movement of dugongs within the Arabian Gulf, EAD equipped seven dugongs with satellite tracking equipment. Although the satellite tags only stayed on for a maximum of 10 weeks, dugongs were observed moving about 7 km per day and do not appear to migrate long distances.
IMPROVING SURVEY METHOD FOR 2015 05 Starting in 2015 EAD will conduct annual surveys across a wider stretch of sea. The expanded survey will include more areas outside MPAs, especially those places where habitat is impacted by development and dugong mortality is more frequently reported. The surveys will be conducted only during winter because dugongs are more easily spotted compared to summer. These revisions will be less labour intensive and more financially efficient, while covering a greater survey area and including areas where dugongs are under more significant threat.
MONITORING SEAGRASS MEADOWS species of seagrasses occur in UAE waters. Halodule uninervis is the dominant species with more than 80% of the cover. Halophila stipulacea and Halophila ovalis also occur. The protection of seagrass habitats is being given priority in all environment impact assessment studies for coastal development projects. A detailed ecological assessment of the seagrass ecosystem is planned for 2015 in order to develop a formal conservation action plan for the seagrass meadows in Abu Dhabi. 06Three Dugongs only eat seagrass, and therefore most of their time is spent in and around seagrass meadows. The health of the dugong population is closely linked to the health of Abu Dhabi s seagrass meadows.
INVESTIGATING DUGONG MORTALITY 07 Over DUGONG MORTALITY BY GENDER 2000-2013 10 7.1% 70 139 50.3% TOTAL 59 42.6% male female unknown CAUSES OF DUGONG MORTALITY 2000-2013 16 11.6% 22 15.8% the past 14 years EAD has investigated 139 dugong mortalities. Most of these were mature dugongs; however 13 were calves. By far the number one cause of death is suffocation from entanglement in unauthorised and abandoned fishing nets. Like dolphins and whales, dugongs surface to breathe. If they become entangled in fishing nets, dugongs will suffocate and drown. Most dugong mortalities EAD investigated were caused by suffocation. TOTAL 139 101 72.6% drowning vessel strike unknown NUMBER OF DUGONGS MORTALITIES INVESTIGATED 2000-2014 17 15 16 14 11 12 10 12 11 8 6 5 7 6 3 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
CONSERVATION ACTION: REGULATE FISHERIES 08 BETTER FISHING PRACTICES, REGULATION AND ENFORCEMENT Federal Laws No. 23 and 24 issued in 1999 protect dugongs from exploitation. In 2002, EAD banned drift net fishing practices in shallow waters to prevent dugongs and turtles from becoming entangled in the nets. While dugongs and marine wildlife in general are not targeted by fisheries, they are caught accidentally as by-catch particularly in gear that is used illegally. EAD strongly recommends more frequent awareness campaigns and stronger regulation/enforcement of fishing practices that would greatly reduce occurrences of by-catch.
CONSERVATION 09ACTION COMMUNITY AWARENESS & EDUCATION EAD regularly conducts outreach and education campaigns to engage stakeholder groups, educators and the general public in dugong conservation activities. Stakeholder launch events in December 2014 engaged participants from the oil and gas, fishing, and other related industries. A Dugong campaign in Mushrif Mall targeted the general public with interactive educational activities for families. The goal was to learn about dugongs and what actions can be taken to protect them. Conducted workshops for fishermen, teachers and students across Abu Dhabi coastal areas to educate about the dugong and its importance. Authored and distributed a dugong children s book which was integrated into the curriculum of local schools. Helping EAD to reach teachers and students with dugong awareness and conservation messages.
PROTECT HABITAT Seagrass is the dugongs only source of food. By protecting seagrass meadows dugongs are also protected. Seagrass meadows are threatened by coastal development, land reclamation and dredging projects. EAD has prioritised seagrass in all environment impact studies for coastal development projects. Abu Dhabi must carefully regulate and monitor coastal development, dredging, land reclamation projects and conduct environmental impact studies of all such development, as well as monitor mitigation measures. EAD is also launching a significant project to survey, map and monitor seagrass meadows across Abu Dhabi. CONTINUE TO LEAD REGIONAL COOPERATION Regional cooperation for the conservation of dugongs in the Arabian Gulf is extremely important. EAD is working with regional partners to ensure a concerted effort to protect these marine mammals. EAD will be hosting a regional technical workshop on the study and conservation of dugongs and seagrass ecosystem in Q3 of 2016. UAE is signatory to the United Nations Environmental Programme - Convention on Migratory Species Dugong Conservation Memorandum of Understanding and has joined dugong range states to protect dugongs and their habitats globally, regionally and locally. This Dugong MoU is implemented through the CMS Secretariat office hosted by EAD since 2009 on behalf of the UAE s Government.
SEAGRASS DISTRIBUTION & DUGONG SIGHTINGS IN WINTER 2014 + MARINE AERIAL SURVEY ZONES 0
Dugongs Sightings Seagrass beds Land 1 2 3 4 5 Survery Zones N 25 5 0 1 0 0 150 200 Kilometres
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