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Abu Dhabi: The investigation of threats to the region's dugong (sea cow) population and extensive research are crucial in the effort to conserve the endangered marine mammal according to specialists. Global experts discussed the latest research and conservation efforts at a symposium in Abu Dhabi yesterday, bringing forward key actions needed to sustain the UAE's significant dugong population. "The growing human population and developmental activities in the UAE have increased concerns about the health of the dugong population in the area," said Dr Himansu Das, an Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi (EAD) scientist, specialising in endangered species.
"Since 1999, a research and conservation programme has been ongoing to assess the status of the dugong population and habitat in UAE waters to provide information that will assist in the conservation of these resources in the area," he said. Aerial surveys of the region's waters have revealed the UAE's dugong population has remained stable during the last decade, estimating the dugong population for the summer of 2004 to be around 2,300. The overall dugong density has also remained stable between 2000 and 2004, reaching a peak of 0.45 per square kilometre in the winter of 2004. The encouraging data does not however exclude the increasing number of threats to the dugong. "Dugongs in this region are threatened by the degradation of sea grass habitats caused by dredging, coastal land clearing and filling, as well as pollution. "Dugongs are protected by law and no longer hunted in the UAE, but abandoned ropes and fishing nets continue to be one of the primary causes of mortality of dugongs," said Dr Das. He discussed conservation plans, citing habitat protection and legal measures as important tools for dugong protection. We also need to implement public awareness programmes as well as promote the participation of stakeholders and local communities in the implementation of conservation plans, he said. Legend: Mermaids of the sea - It is believed mermaid legends may have stemmed from sailors catching glimpses of dugongs.
- Dugongs can be found in at least 48 countries.
- 7,000 dugongs live in the Arabian Gulf and Red Sea, making it the largest dugong population outside Australia.
- 40 per cent of the Gulf and Red Sea dugong population is in UAE waters.
- Marine Protected Areas aiming to conserve the dugong population include Marawah and Al Yasat, which host 75 per cent of the UAE dugong population.
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