1. Sea turtles of the UAE: Status and Conservation Options
Thabit Zahran Al-Abdessalaam
Marine Environment Research Center, Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi

2. 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)

3. 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.

4. 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

5. Approach Reporting Aerial and Field Surveys DATA Collection
Entry and store
Interpretation
Map
Review and
implementation of
existing regulations
develop
conservation
options
Public Awareness
programs
Implementation of
Conservation
Management
Plan

6. Aerial Survey

7. 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)

8. 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

9. Inter-annual Nesting

10. Nesting
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.
High number of nests in Northern islands compared to Western islands
Hawksbill is the only nesting species

11. 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

12. 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.

14. 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

15. 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

17. Results Turtle ID 14756 (HB - 67cm x 60 cm)
Distance covered km / 19 days, 7.58 km/day
Average dive time min. (Max )
Submerged time % (Max %)
Turtle ID (HB - 75cm x 65 cm)
Distance covered / 21 days, km /day
Average dive time min (Max min)
Submerged time: % (Max %)

23. Threats Nesting population
Physical obstruction – Marine Debris
Movement of man and vehicle on nesting beaches
Coastal development and loss of nesting beaches

24. Threats Foraging Population
Fishing Gears (Net)
Vessel Strike
Coastal development and loss of foraging habitats

25. Conservation and Management Plan
Protected Area or
wildlife Sanctuary
Promote
Public Awareness
Regular
Monitoring
Land use
guidelines
Protection of Species
Protection of Habitat
Enforce Current
Regulations
Ban on dredging and
Land filling in
specific Areas
Oil Spill Contingency
Plan for Marine
Habitats

26. Thank You