Endangered Dugongs killed by driftnets in Abu Dhabi

10/09/2006 00:00:00 December 2007. A team of field scientists from the Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi (EAD) discovered two dugongs trapped in an abandoned drift Gillnet, close to Abu Al Abyad Island. ‘This discovery clearly demonstrates once again the vulnerability of these majestic animals to human threats. We call on the community once again to help support our efforts in protecting this endangered treasure,’ said Majid Al Mansouri, Secretary General of EAD.

Protected by Law
The dugong is listed as ‘Vulnerable to Extinction’ internationally and is protected locally under UAE Federal Law. The law aims to fully protect dugongs and other marine wildlife, including sea turtles, from any commercial and recreational utilization of species within UAE waters. Gillnets, particularly drift gillnets locally known as Al Hayali, constitute one of the major threats to the Dugong populations within the UAE and globally.
Studies conducted by EAD experts have indicated that the two dugongs suffocated to death in gill-nets. Drift nets and Encircling gill nets are banned by Law in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, however, abandoned nets and illegal use of banned nets continue to be a major cause of dugong mortality in the area.

Moreover, Dugongs are at risk from boat strikes and disturbances in areas, where high boating traffic coincides with dugong habitat. Dugongs are also indirectly at risk due to the destruction of their main habitat, the seagrass. Seagrass which occur in coastal and shallow water areas and require light for their growth, are particularly vulnerable from increasing developmental activities along the coast such as dredging, land filling, coastal clearing and land reclamation as well as pollution from sewage and other effluents. Dugong Studies
EAD has been undertaking studies on dugongs in the UAE since 1999, with funding from TOTAL ABU AL BUKHOOSH. The initial phase of the studies which extended over a period of four years focused on obtaining information on the abundance, distribution and the conservation status of dugongs in UAE.

The second phase further focuses on the biological and ecological aspects and stock structure of the species. Current efforts also include the implementation of a dugong conservation and management plan and fostering closer regional and international cooperation in dugong conservation. Efforts towards regional and international cooperation culminated in the signing of a memorandum of understanding involving all dugong range states during a meeting held in Abu Dhabi in October 2007.