DUGONGS IN ABU DHABI

01

Worldwide there are approximately 100,000 dugongs, almost90% 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 dugongsin 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 programmesand undertaking international and regional cooperation in conserving dugongs.

// The Western Region of Abu Dhabiis home to more than 2,800 Dugongs.

EAD with support from TOTAL and TOTAL Abu Al Bukhooshhas been monitoring this population since 1999.

02Coastal 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 Dhabiis underway in order to develop a conservationand management plan of seagrass ecosystems.

AN OVERVIEW OF DUGONG CONSERVATION IN ABU DHABIUAE 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.

EAD regularly monitors the dugong populationand assesses its distribution throughout Abu Dhabi.

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SUMMER & WINTER SURVEYS 2004-2014

DUGONG POPULATION NUMBERS IN ABU DHABI

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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 numberof dugongs observed. The cooler water temperaturesand more abundant seagrass cover during winter helpsmake dugongs more active and visible. In the warm waterof the summer, dugongs are less active and less visible.

EAD regularly monitors the dugong populationand assesses its distribution throughout Abu Dhabi.

POPULATION DISTRIBUTION

04Dugongs can be found throughout Abu Dhabi; however mostoccur in the Marawah Marine Biosphere Reserve and Al YasatMarine 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 coverbecause it is their only food source.

These seagrass beds grow on the sea floorat depths up to 16 metres.

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 onfor a maximum of 10 weeks, dugongs were observed moving about 7 km per dayand do not appear to migrate long distances.

05 IMPROVING SURVEY METHOD FOR 2015

Starting in 2015 EAD will conduct annual surveysacross a wider stretch of sea.

The expanded survey will include more areas outside MPAs,especially those places where habitat is impacted by developmentand dugong mortality is more frequently reported.

The surveys will be conducted only during winter becausedugongs 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 includingareas where dugongs are under more significant threat.

Dugongs only eat seagrass, and thereforemost of their time is spent in and around seagrass meadows. The health of the dugong population is closely linked to the healthof Abu Dhabi’s seagrass meadows.

06Three 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 priorityin all environment impact assessment studies for coastaldevelopment projects.

A detailed ecological assessment of the seagrass ecosystemis planned for 2015 in order to develop a formal conservationaction plan for the seagrass meadows in Abu Dhabi.

MONITORING SEAGRASS MEADOWS

INVESTIGATING DUGONG MORTALITY

DUGONG MORTALITY BY GENDER 2000-2013

malefemale

unknown

50.3%

42.6%

7.1%59

70 139

10

TOTAL

CAUSES OF DUGONG MORTALITY 2000-2013

vessel strikedrowning

unknown

72.6%

11.6%

10115.8%22

139

16

TOTAL

NUMBER OF DUGONGS MORTALITIES INVESTIGATED 2000-2014

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3

5

7 6

11

12

10

12 11

17

1516

14

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2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

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2014

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07Over the past 14 years EAD hasinvestigated 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 surfaceto breathe. If they become entangledin fishing nets, dugongs will suffocateand drown. Most dugong mortalities EAD investigated were caused by suffocation.

CONSERVATION ACTION: REGULATE FISHERIES

Federal Laws No. 23 and 24 issued in 1999 protect dugongsfrom exploitation.

In 2002, EAD banned drift net fishing practices in shallow watersto prevent dugongs and turtles from becoming entangled in the nets.

While dugongs and marine wildlife in general are not targetedby fisheries, they are caught accidentally as ‘by-catch’ particularlyin gear that is used illegally.

EAD strongly recommends more frequent awareness campaigns and stronger regulation/enforcement of fishing practicesthat would greatly reduce occurrences of by-catch.

08BETTER FISHING PRACTICES,REGULATION AND ENFORCEMENT

COMMUNITY AWARENESS & EDUCATIONEAD 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 participantsfrom 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 acrossAbu Dhabi coastal areas to educate about the dugong and its importance.

Authored and distributed a dugong children’s book which was integratedinto the curriculum of local schools. Helping EAD to reach teachers

and students with dugong awareness and conservation messages.

CONSERVATION ACTION09

PROTECT HABITATSeagrass is the dugongs’ only source of food. By protectingseagrass meadows dugongs are also protected.

Seagrass meadows are threatened by coastal development,land reclamation and dredging projects.

EAD has prioritised seagrass in all environment impactstudies for coastal development projects.

Abu Dhabi must carefully regulate and monitor coastaldevelopment, 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.

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 workshopon 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.

CONTINUE TO LEAD REGIONAL COOPERATION

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