UAE | Environment

Specialist stresses need to protect sea cow population

The investigation of threats to the region's dugong (sea cow) population and extensive research are crucial in the effort to conserve the endangered marine mammal according to specialists.

  • By Rania Habib, Staff Reporter
  • Published: 00:00 May 30, 2006
  • Gulf News

Abu Dhabi: The investigation of threats to the region's dugong (sea cow) population and extensive research are crucial in the effort to conserve the endangered marine mammal according to specialists.

Global experts discussed the latest research and conservation efforts at a symposium in Abu Dhabi yesterday, bringing forward key actions needed to sustain the UAE's significant dugong population.

"The growing human population and developmental activities in the UAE have increased concerns about the health of the dugong population in the area," said Dr Himansu Das, an Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi (EAD) scientist, specialising in endangered species.

"Since 1999, a research and conservation programme has been ongoing to assess the status of the dugong population and habitat in UAE waters to provide information that will assist in the conservation of these resources in the area," he said.

Aerial surveys of the region's waters have revealed the UAE's dugong population has remained stable during the last decade, estimating the dugong population for the summer of 2004 to be around 2,300. The overall dugong density has also remained stable between 2000 and 2004, reaching a peak of 0.45 per square kilometre in the winter of 2004.

The encouraging data does not however exclude the increasing number of threats to the dugong.

"Dugongs in this region are threatened by the degradation of sea grass habitats caused by dredging, coastal land clearing and filling, as well as pollution.

"Dugongs are protected by law and no longer hunted in the UAE, but abandoned ropes and fishing nets continue to be one of the primary causes of mortality of dugongs," said Dr Das.

He discussed conservation plans, citing habitat protection and legal measures as important tools for dugong protection. We also need to implement public awareness programmes as well as promote the participation of stakeholders and local communities in the implementation of conservation plans, he said.

Legend: Mermaids of the sea

  • It is believed mermaid legends may have stemmed from sailors catching glimpses of dugongs.
  • Dugongs can be found in at least 48 countries.
  • 7,000 dugongs live in the Arabian Gulf and Red Sea, making it the largest dugong population outside Australia.
  • 40 per cent of the Gulf and Red Sea dugong population is in UAE waters.
  • Marine Protected Areas aiming to conserve the dugong population include Marawah and Al Yasat, which host 75 per cent of the UAE dugong population.

  • Rate this article
  • Average reader rating (0 votes) 0 Stars
Tools

Emailing an article to friend is a simple way to share a news item. Your friend will receive an email with your name and email address as well any personal message you choose to send.

The information you provide on this page will not be used to send unsolicited emails.

This service is not intended to encourage spam, and action may be taken against individuals who maliciously enter personal details of another individual.

Share this article

More from UAE Environment

  1. Arab world's future is with solar energy

  2. Desalination faces 'severe' challenges

  3. Fog warning to motorists, sailors in Dubai

  4. Poor nations earn green accolades

All articles in Environment

More from UAE

Gulf News
Popular in UAE
Living in untidy homes
Have your say

Living in untidy homes

Do you think that people who live in untidy homes have bad character?

Latest news
Community Reports

More from Community Reports

Weather

More from Weather