EAD supports first Dugong Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi

On October 3, 2010, five more countries signed the Dugong MoU. They are Bahrain, Mozambique, Somalia, Vanuatu and Yemen, bringing the total number of Signatory States to 18 countries

EAD's efforts include maintaining Bu Tinah Island's status as a marine protected area. The Island supports the highest density of dugongs in the world,.

Abu Dhabi, October 4, 2010: The Environment Agency- Abu Dhabi (EAD) is hosting the Dugongs Conservation Congress. This is the First Official Signatory State Meeting of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)/Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) for the Memorandum of Understanding on the Conservation and Management of Dugongs and their Habitats throughout their Range (Dugong MoU) since the establishment of the office of the MOU's coordination unit in Abu Dhabi. Representatives from UNEP, CMS, EAD, as well as international government officials, scientists, researchers and experts on marine mammals will participate in the meeting which runs until October 6.

EAD, hosts and funds the UNEP/CMS Office in Abu Dhabi. This meeting is the first official gathering of Dugong Range States in Abu Dhabi since the ratification of the dugong MOU and will provide the opportunity to welcome new signatories to the Dugong MoU. Bahrain, Mozambique, Somalia, Vanuatu and Yemen have now joined the Signatory States.

These new additions to the Dugong MoU have officially brought the total number of Signatory States to 18 countries. The countries that previously accessed to the MOU include: Australia, Comoros, Eritrea, France, India, Kenya, Madagascar, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Solomon Islands, Tanzania and the United Arab Emirates.

Compared to other marine mammals, the dugong is unique; it is the only marine mammal species that is completely herbivorous. Throughout their range, which includes at least 48 countries, dugongs are facing pressures from human-related activities. Their dependence on seagrass found in coastal habitats further increases their vulnerability to effects of human activities.

Currently, dugongs are classified as 'vulnerable to extinction' under the International Union for Conservation of Nature's (IUCN) 2009 Red List of Threatened Species, which indicates that they face a high-risk of extinction in the wild in the very near future.

Lahcen El Kabiri, Executive Coordinator of the UNEP/CMS Office - Abu Dhabi, EAD Secretary General H.E Majid Al Mansouri and Thabit Al Abdessalaam, Director of Biodiversity Management Sector were present, and led discussions on potential solutions in relation to progressing positive conservation outcomes for dugongs across their global range.

H.E Majid Al Mansouri said "By working with UNEP/CMS, we are encouraging other countries to commit and contribute to conserving their own biodiversity and migratory species by collaborating with international counterparts. The UAE is proudly playing a role by maintaining Bu Tinah Island's status as a marine protected area. The Island supports the highest density of dugongs in the world, per square meter."

There are around 95,000 - 100,000 dugongs left in the world; Australia has 85,000, the Arabian Gulf and Red Sea bordering countries have approximately 7,300 dugongs while the remainder are located in the other range states. Bu Tinah Island, and its surrounding waters, is home to more than 1400dugongs.

Over 90 delegates, including representatives from the governments of 29 (of the some 46) dugong range states as well as technical experts, inter-governmental Organisations, NGOs, and industry environmental managers with an interest in dugong conservation, also attended the meeting.  Government officials from all 13 Signatories, three Ministers (Palau, Somalia and Yemen) and the Ambassadors from Mozambique, Seychelles and Egypt were present at the Signatory State Meeting.

During the meeting, internationally respected authorities on dugongs, including Helene Marsh, Professor of Environmental Science at James Cook University in Townsville, Australia, and lead author of 'Dugong Status Reports and Action Plans for Countries and Territories', as well as other invited technical experts, gave updated information on the conservation status of dugongs. They highlighted the need for member states to take urgent actions if they were to conserve dugong populations. The delegates considered a range of novel and innovative management tools which have the potential to address key threats such as the incidental catch of dugongs in fishing nets, habitat loss and degradation, illegal poaching and unsustainable customary take of dugongs.

Through its commitment to the Dugong MoU, EAD and the UAE Government have taken the lead in UNEP/CMS's international efforts for the conservation of dugongs. Although much more collaborative work, effort and funding will be required, this three day meeting will make a substantial contribution towards to ensuring the global conservation of dugongs.

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About Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD)
The Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD) is a governmental agency that was established in 1996. We are committed to protecting and managing biodiversity, providing a clean environment and promoting Sustainable Development in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. We provide a direction for Government, business and the community to build environmental considerations into the way they plan and live without compromising Abu Dhabi development.

UNEP/CMS Abu Dhabi Office
The Dugong MoU is serviced by the UNEP/CMS Abu Dhabi Office being hosted by the Government and the Environment Agency of Abu Dhabi (EAD). The office represents a major collaboration between UNEP and the United Arab Emirates to conserve migratory species for the benefit of present and future generations. The UNEP/CMS Project Office provides a framework with a coordinating role to tackle major threats and identify effective tools to reverse declining trends and to secure a favorable status for regionally important migratory species including dugongs, birds of prey and marine turtles, under the auspices of UNEP/CMS.

For media enquiries, please contact:
Sobhia Al Masry
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Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi
Tel: +9712 6934-637
Mobile: +97150 4450323
Email: selmasri@ead.ae    

© Press Release 2010