Abu Dhabi: The UAE is immensely proud to have the second largest population of dugongs in the world, a senior official said here on Sunday.
The UAE has an international responsibility to conserve this vulnerable species and its critical habitats, Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, Secretary- General of the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD), said at a ceremony.
The EAD, Total Abu Al Bukhoosh, and Total E & P UAE signed an agreement extending the sponsorship for EAD’s Dugong Conservation Programme, which has been exclusively sponsored by TOTAL since 1999.
Al Mubarak said: “Since 1999, thanks to the support of Total, the EAD has conducted detailed studies of the local dugong population. Overall, these studies have helped us to better understand dugongs. The first phase of these studies helped us obtain information about the abundance, distribution and the conservation status of dugongs in the UAE.”
The official said the second and third phase helped understand more about the biological and ecological status of dugongs and their habitats. Threats to the dugong population were identified by investigating causes of dugong mortality as well as habitat degradation, fragmentation and loss. Data has been collected including local movement patterns through satellite telemetry. In addition, Marine Protected Areas were monitored and regional cooperation with other entities working in dugong conservation enhanced, Al Mubarak said.
Hatem Nusseibeh, Total UAE President, said, “Total is committed to create a better environment wherever it operates. With emphasis on educating the local community, we are confident that this combined effort will prove successful to the continued growth of the dugong population in the region.”
Amer Al Shaikh Ali, CEO Total Abu Al Bukhoosh, said: “We will continue our joint efforts with Total and the EAD to protect conserve and manage dugong habitats to maintain a healthy growth rate.”
Dr Shaikha Salem Al Daheri, Executive Director of the Terrestrial and Marine Biodiversity Sector, said: “If the dugong, its habitat and other important wildlife species living therein are to survive and maintain their role as an important part of our environment, we need to ensure that we not only actually implement the conservation measures adopted, but also continue to remain alert by educating ourselves and enhancing our understanding on the requirements of the species across the entire region, including Bahrain, Qatar and Saudi Arabia in particular and the western Indian Ocean region in general.”.
She added, “Throughout their range, which includes at least 48 countries from East Africa to the Pacific Islands, dugongs are under pressure from a range of human activities. Dugongs are vulnerable to human-related influences due to their dependence on seagrass that are restricted to coastal habitats, and which are often under increased pressure from human activities”.
