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