Hawksbill turtle returns to Abu Dhabi beach after 12 years

The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) has confirmed the return of a Hawksbill sea turtle that was first tagged with a tracking number in 2013. After 12 years, the turtle has come back to nest on the same beach in the Emirate.

This observation is part of EAD’s annual turtle nesting survey, which aims to protect endangered marine species and monitor their nesting patterns. On April 29, EAD’s team recorded a Hawksbill turtle laying eggs on one of Abu Dhabi’s offshore islands. This was part of the agency’s monitoring program that runs from March to August each year, aiming to track and conserve these endangered creatures.

EAD attributed the turtle’s return to the success of its nesting habitat conservation efforts. In 2024, the agency recorded 247 Hawksbill turtle nests—up from 193 in 2022—with a hatching success rate of 72%, indicating a stable population in Abu Dhabi’s waters.

This increase reflects the agency’s ongoing commitment to safeguarding marine turtles in the emirate, with nesting considered a key indicator of marine ecosystem health.

Of the seven species of sea turtles found in the world’s oceans, four can be observed in Abu Dhabi. Two species are commonly found in the Emirate’s waters: the Hawksbill turtle and the green turtle. The other two—loggerhead and olive ridley turtles—occasionally visit the area.

Hawksbill turtles inhabit tropical and subtropical waters across all major oceans. Named for their distinctive, bird-like beak, they are uniquely adapted to feed on prey found in hard-to-reach crevices. Hawksbills are the only sea turtles able to survive on a diet made up almost entirely of sponges. They play a critical role in maintaining the health of coral reef ecosystems.

In many parts of the world, Hawksbill turtles face a unique threat—being hunted for their beautifully patterned shells, known as “tortoiseshell,” which are used to make jewelry and ornaments. Historic overexploitation for their shells pushed the species to the brink of extinction. Today, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) prohibits the international trade of any turtle products, including Hawksbill shells. Nonetheless, illegal poaching remains a threat in many regions.

Description

Hawksbill turtles are relatively small, weighing up to 50 kg. They are typically brown with patches of orange, yellow, or reddish-brown. Juveniles are usually black or dark brown with lighter brown or yellowish markings along the edges of their shell and limbs. Their name comes from their distinct beak-like mouth.

Hawksbill turtles are primarily found in tropical reefs in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic Oceans. In Abu Dhabi, they are mainly located within the Marawah Marine Biosphere Reserve.

EAD manages several marine protected areas in the Emirate, including the Marawah Marine Biosphere Reserve—one of the most vital feeding habitats for Hawksbill turtles. The species and their habitats are protected under Federal Law No. 23 concerning the exploitation, protection, and development of living aquatic resources, and Federal Law No. 24 of 1999 regarding environmental protection and development in the UAE.

The UAE is also a signatory to the Memorandum of Understanding on the Conservation and Management of Marine Turtles and Their Habitats of the Indian Ocean and Southeast Asia (IOSEA), which outlines a range of measures for turtle conservation.

Hawksbill turtles are known for their striking shells, which feature an irregular mix of amber, orange, red, yellow, black, and brown hues. The shells have serrated edges and overlapping scutes. They have pointed heads and a distinctive V-shaped lower jaw that gives them a hawk-like appearance.

An adult Hawksbill turtle’s shell typically measures 2 to 3 feet in length, and the turtle can weigh between 100 and 150 pounds. Hatchlings are usually only 2 to 3 inches long and are mostly brown in color. These turtles have two pairs of prefrontal scales between their eyes and four scutes along the edge of each side of their carapace.