Sea turtles of the UAE: Status and Conservation Options Thabit Zahran Al-Abdessalaam Marine Environment Research Center, Environment Agency- Abu Dhabi
Dec 24, 2015
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 (well-known 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, notknown 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
Aerial and Field Surveys
Review and implementation of existing regulations
Review and implementation of existing regulations
Public Awareness programs
Public Awareness programs
DATACollection
Entry and storeInterpretation
Map
Reporting Reporting
develop conservation
options
develop conservation
options
Implementation of ConservationManagement
Plan
Implementation of ConservationManagement
Plan
Aerial Survey
Foraging population
• Estimated foraging population of sea turtles in Abu Dhabi waters
√ Winter 2001: 5700 (SE + 652, density 0.85 / Km2)
√ Winter 2004: 5550 (SE + 688, density 0.86 / Km2)
Sea turtle density in 2004 compared to 2001
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1
1.2
Zone 1 Zone 2 Zone 3 Zone 4 Zone 5
Den
sity
(no.
/km
2)
Density 2004
Density 2001
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
160 169154
217
0
50
100
150
200
250
2002 2003 2004 2005
Years
Nu
mb
er
of
Ne
sts
Number of Nests
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
migration• Foraging area• Biological
characteristics and general behavior
• Time spent for foraging and resting
• Migration pattern• Distance covered
per day
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)
• 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 %)
Turtle ID 14809 (HB - 75cm x 65 cm)
• 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
ThreatsForaging Population
• Fishing Gears (Net)• Vessel Strike• Coastal development
and loss of foraging habitats
Conservation and Management Plan
Enforce Current Regulations
RegularMonitoring
Protected Area orwildlife Sanctuary
Land use guidelines
Oil Spill Contingency Plan for Marine
Habitats
Ban on dredging andLand filling in specific Areas
PromotePublic Awareness
Protection of Species Protection of Habitat
Thank You