Transcript Conservation of Sea turtles and Dugongs in UAE

Sea turtles of the UAE:
Status and Conservation Options
Thabit Zahran Al-Abdessalaam
Marine Environment Research Center,
Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi
Importance of Sea Turtles
• They are flagship species (wellknown species that appeal to the public for
their preservation and the protection of
their habitat)
• They are umbrella species
(protecting the important umbrella species
and preserving their habitat helps to
protect a number of other species that
depend on the same habitat)
Sea turtle species in the UAE
•Green and Hawksbills are
the predominant species
• Greens forage in UAE
waters while Hawksbills
have been found to forage
and nest on UAE islands
•Other 3 species; Olive ridley,
Loggerhead and Leatherback
are occasional visitors, not
known to forage or nest in
UAE waters.
Sea Turtle Research Program of
Environment Agency Abu Dhabi
•
•
•
•
Monitor nests and nesting habitats
Assess inter-annual nesting variability
Determine nesting processes and patterns
Identify foraging areas and migration
routes
• Develop and implement a conservation
management plan
• Promote public awareness
Approach
Aerial and Field
Surveys
Review and
implementation of
existing regulations
Public Awareness
programs
Reporting
DATA
Collection
Entry and store
Interpretation
Map
develop
conservation
options
Implementation of
Conservation
Management
Plan
Aerial Survey
Foraging population
• Estimated foraging
population of sea
turtles in Abu Dhabi
waters
Sea turtle density in 2004 compared to 2001
1.2
Density (no./km 2)
1
0.8
Density 2004
0.6
Density 2001
0.4
√ Winter 2001: 5700 (SE +
652, density 0.85 / Km2)
0.2
0
Zone 1
Zone 2
Zone 3
Zone 4
Zone 5
√ Winter 2004: 5550 (SE +
688, density 0.86 / Km2)
Field Surveys
• Monitoring sea turtle
nesting habitats
• Collection of seasonal
habitat data
• Documentation of
threats and impact of
human activities
• Investigation of cause
of death
Inter-annual Nesting
Total Number of Nests: 2002 to 2005
Number of Nests
250
200
217
160
169
154
150
Number of Nests
100
50
0
2002
2003
2004
Years
2005
Nesting
• High number of
nests in Northern
islands compared to
Western islands
• Hawksbill is the only
nesting species
• Season: March through
June. One season in a
year.
• Nesting usually occurs at
night. Day nesting is very
rare.
• Hawksbill clutches are
smaller in the UAE
compared to Hawksbills
elsewhere.
Nesting Process
• Nesting process (n=27) :
2 hr 08 minutes
• Egg chamber depth:
(n=42) 34.9 cm to 51.2
cm. Average: 44.6 cm
• Clutch size (n=66): 71
eggs
• Incubation (n=68):59.2
days
• Inter-nesting period
(n=6):13 days
Hatchlings
• Hatching occurs
during late night or
early morning
• Hatchlings measure
on average – 3.9 cm
CCL, 3.8 cm CCW
and weigh 11.9 gm
• Hatching success is
highest during June.
Satellite Tracking
Provides information on:
• Post nesting
• Time spent for
migration
foraging and resting
• Foraging area
• Migration pattern
• Biological
• Distance covered
characteristics and
per day
general behavior
UAE Telemetry Program
• 1998, 2 Green at Ras Al
Khaima
• 1999, 2 Hawksbills at
Jarnain island
• 2001, 2 Hawksbills at
Jarnain
• 2002, 1 Hawksbill at
Jarnain
• 2006, 2 Green turtles at
Bu Tinha
• Collaboration with
Oman and Pakistan
Results
Turtle ID 14756 (HB 67cm x 60 cm)
Turtle ID 14809 (HB 75cm x 65 cm)
• Distance covered 144.36
km / 19 days, 7.58
km/day
• Average dive time 48.11
min. (Max. 71.60)
• Submerged time 79.35% (Max. 99.6 %)
• Distance covered 322.22
/ 21 days, 15.34 km /day
• Average dive time 36.69
min (Max. 53.73 min)
• Submerged time: 77.31
% (Max. 98.22%)
Threats
Nesting population
• Physical obstruction –
Marine Debris
• Movement of man
and vehicle on
nesting beaches
• Coastal development
and loss of nesting
beaches
Threats
Foraging Population
• Fishing Gears (Net)
• Vessel Strike
• Coastal development
and loss of foraging
habitats
Conservation and Management Plan
Regular
Monitoring
Promote
Public Awareness
Protection of Species
Enforce Current
Regulations
Protected Area or
wildlife Sanctuary
Land use
guidelines
Protection of Habitat
Ban on dredging and
Land filling in
specific Areas
Oil Spill Contingency
Plan for Marine
Habitats
Thank You