Download Coral Reef Management Status in UAE

The Status and
Management of Coral
Reefs in The United Arab
Emirates
Ashraf Al Cibahy* and
Thabit Al Abdesalaam
*E-mail: [email protected]
www.ead.ae
Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD)
UAE
UAE Country Profile
Surface area:
83,600 km2 (Abu Dhabi = 87% of total).
Coastline:
650 km (Arabian Gulf) 90 km (Gulf of Oman).
Population:
4.1 million (2005 census
Economy:
GDP (2002) = US $ 65.9 billion (Oil and natural gas = 33.9%).
Coastal Habitats:
Salt pans, sand flats, coral reefs, sea grass beds, mangroves, tidal inlets.
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UAE Coastal Characteristics
UAE Oceanographic characteristics
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Temperature oC
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Arabian Gulf
Gulf of Oman
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30
28
26
24
22
20
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Jul
Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Month
Chlorophyll-a concentration in UAE waters
during February 2002 (SeaWiFS
oceanographic satellite).
Monthly seawater temperatures for the
waters of the UAE (2002).
Arabian Gulf:
Salinity 40 - 44 ppt, temp 20.9 – 34.2 oC
Gulf of Oman:
Salinity 35 – 37 ppt, temp 23.1 – 25.0 oC
Natural constraints to coral reef
development (UAE-Arabian Gulf Waters)
• Extreme temperature range &
anomalies (10-15 yrs).
• Extreme salinity range.
• Extensive areas of
unconsolidated carbonate
sediments.
• Scouring action by mobile
sediments on limestone
substrates.
• High levels of suspended
sediment.
Coral reef structure and development
in UAE
Arabian Gulf
Gulf of Oman
•Poorly developed patch reefs
dominated by Acropora and Porites
(10% cover).
•More favorable conditions for
coral growth and reef development.
•Fringing reefs around off-shore
islands dominated by mono-specific
stands.
•Cycles of mortality, breakdown and
re-growth inhibit framework
accumulation.
•Relatively clear water and less
extreme temperature and salinity
ranges.
•Greater species diversity, live
coral cover and variety of growth
forms.
Species Diversity (Hermatypic Corals) in the
UAE
Family
Family
Acroporidae (8)
Dendrophyllidae(2)
Turbinaria pelata
Acropora valida
Poritidae (6)
Porites lobata
Pocilloporidae(1)
Stylophora pistillata
Siderastreidae (4)
Pseudosiderastrea tayami
Mussidae (1)
Acanthastraea echinata
(Photos: Charlie Veron)
Faviidae (12)
Favites pentagona
Total = 36 species
(Arabian Gulf waters)
Distribution of coral reefs in the UAE
Total coral reef
surface area =
1,190 km2 (Spalding
et al., 2001)
(Source: World Conservation Monitoring Centre, 2003)
Value and uses of coral reefs in the UAE
• Support fisheries.
• Provide recreational services eg.
diving and snorkeling.
• Tourism (generation of foreign
exchange).
• Storm surge and coastal erosion
protection (off-shore islands).
• Critical habitats essential for the
maintenance of biodiversity.
• Scientific value (especially given
existence in an extreme
environment).
Monitoring and Assessment
(1) Jebel Ali Marine Sanctuary
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•
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A coral reef monitoring program has been
maintained in the Jebel Ali Marine
Sanctuary since 1995 by the Dubai
municipality.
Techniques used include side-scan sonar,
video mapping, remote sensing and
acoustic seabed mapping. Survey area =
37.7 km 2.
Surveys have enabled the assessment of 2
coral bleaching episodes during 1996 and
1998.
Concise maps have been produced for
management planning and monitoring
purposes.
Monitoring and Assessment
(2) Marawah Marine Protected Area
•A synoptic survey of the
Marawah MPA (5,561 km2)
revealed the distribution and
species composition of corals over
a large area off the coast of the
Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
•However, the survey was only
implemented in order to establish
areas of high conservation value as
part of the initial effort to
designate the MPA.
Monitoring and Assessment
(3) Marine biotope monitoring off Abu Dhabi
•Natural History Museum of the UK carried out
a monitoring program of marine biotopes in the
waters off Abu Dhabi.
•Surveys covered 2 catastrophic bleaching
events during 1996 and 1998 which were
associated with prolonged positive seawater
temperature anomalies.
•Surveys are no longer on-going.
Monitoring and Assessment
(4) Marine macro-fauna surveys
•MERC of the Environment
Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD)
conducts aerial surveys for
dugongs, turtles, dolphins and
marine macro fauna in the waters
of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
•Whilst the survey is not
specifically designed to monitor
coral reefs it does record habitat
type along transects, the categories
used include seagrass, corals and
sandy bottom.
•Additional data collected of
relevance to reef monitoring
includes the pressure on habitats
(number of vessels, fishing nets
observed, oil pollution and
turbidity).
Monitoring and Assessment
(5)
Miscellaneous coral reef associated research &
monitoring programs
The Marine Environmental Research Center of EAD implements the following monitoring and
assessment activities:
Fish population dynamics:
Fisheries resource assessment, catch and effort monitoring and
fisheries management (includes reef associated species).
Fishing gear investigations:
Development of escape panels to prevent 'ghost fishing' and
reduce the retention of juvenile fish.
Phytoplankton blooms:
Phytoplankton monitoring in the coastal waters of Abu Dhabi.
Sea turtles:
Satellite tagging, nesting surveys, rearing and release.
Oceanography:
Coastal water circulation/drifter buoy study.
Marine Protected Areas:
MPAs management, planning, surveillance and enforcement
and justification of other opportunities in marine and coastal
areas of Abu Dhabi Emirate.
Coral reef project
Monitoring and Assessment
(6)
CORAL REEF PROJECT
Title: Coral Reef Investigation in
the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and
the Eastern Cost of Qatar
Sponsor: Dolphin Energy
Client / Coordinator:
Environment Agency –Abu
Dhabi (EAD) and SCENRQatar
Management: EWS-WWF
Technical Investigator:
NCRI-Florida-USA
CORAL REEF PROJECT
Project Goal
To develop and advance the conservation, management
and sustainable use of coral reefs and associated habitats
in the waters off the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and Qatar,
through the provision of accurate biological, ecological
and socio-economic information.
Project Objectives
• Provide specific – tailor made monitoring and assessment
approaches to the unique env. of AD
• Map and assess the status of coral reef habitats in the
Emirate of Abu Dhabi and Qatar
• Investigate biodiversity of corals, and associated habitats
/ Spp.
• Establish baseline conditions for long term monitoring
• Ensure compatibility with int. initiatives of coral
monitoring
• Evaluate alternative approaches to rehabilitation
• Develop capacity building of UAE/Qatari research
personnel for long term monitoring
• Propose a conservation and management strategy for
implementation by state authorities.
Project Outputs
• Study of the distribution, status and threats to coral reefs
within Abu Dhabi/Qatar
• Atlas and coral reef identification guide
• Coral reef conservation and management plan
• Solid scientific base for further development by
EAD/SCENR
• Opportunities for media awareness campaigns
• Capacity building
CORAL REEF PROJECT: Training
Field:
• Ground truthing
• Coral reef identification
Field:
• Sediment sampling
• % Cover
Classroom:
• Remote sensing
• Coral reef
evolution and
life forms
CORAL REEF PROJECT
Results of Resource Assessment for
Coral Reefs at the Offshore Islands of
Abu Dhabi
Arzanah Island
 51 sites evaluated, of which 11 showed
coral growth.
 The densest coral growth was found on
the western side of the islands. The
coral community was in the very early
phases of regeneration.
 Coral cover was between 1 and 5%.
 Coral species encountered were:
Platygyra daedalea, Platygyra lamellina
Favia pallida, Porites harrisoni
Porites lutea, Cyphastrea microphthalma
? Psammocora. sp., Acropora clathrata
(40 cm diameter)
 Corals are healthy and no diseases were
observed. The relatively uniform size
distribution of corals suggests that all
originated from sexually produced
gametes of an upstream source
Das Island
 A total of 27 sites were evaluated, of
which 5 showed coral growth.
 The coral community was in the very early
phases of regeneration.
 Coral cover was around 1%.
 Coral species encountered were:
Platygyra lamellina , Favia pallida
Porites harrisoni
 The few observed corals appeared to be
of good health and no diseases were
observed.
 The relatively uniform size distribution of
corals suggests that all originated from
sexually produced gametes of an
upstream source.
Diyenat Island
 31 sites were evaluated, of which 17
showed coral growth.
 The coral community was in early phases
of regeneration.
 Coral cover was around 1%.
 Coral species encountered were:
Platygyra lamellina, Favia pallida
Porites harrisoni, Porites lutea
 The observed corals are healthy and no
diseases were observed.
 The relatively uniform size distribution of
corals suggests that all originated from
sexually produced gametes of an upstream
source
Qrnen Island
 31 sites were evaluated, of which 17 showed
coral growth.
 The coral community was in the very early
phases of regeneration.
 Coral cover was between 1 and 5%.
 Coral species encountered were:
Platygyra lamellina, Favia pallida
Cyphastrea microphthalma, Turbinaria
reniformis, Pseudosiderastrea tayamai,
Plesiastrea versipora, Porites harrisoni,
Porites lutea
 The observed corals are healthy - no diseases
were observed.
 The relatively uniform size distribution of
corals suggests that all originated from
sexually produced gametes of an upstream
source
Zarkawh Island
 2 sites were evaluated, of which 11 showed
coral growth.
 The densest coral growth was found on the
north-western side of the islands.
 The coral community was in the very early
phases of regeneration.
 Coral cover was between 1 and a maximum of
5%.
 Coral species encountered were:
Platygyra daedalea, Platygyra lamellina
Favia pallida, Porites harrisoni
Porites lutea, Cyphastrea microphthalma
Acropora clathrata (small recruit)
 Corals were all healthy - no diseases were
observed.
 The relatively uniform size distribution of
corals suggests that all originated from
sexually produced gametes of an upstream
source
Al Hil Island
 6 sites were evaluated, all of which were
situated within a dense coral biostrome
and of which 3 showed coral growth.
 The coral community showed all the
signs of serious mortality suffered during
the previous thermal stress events
 Coral cover was between 1 and 5% and
this was the sight with the strongest
Acropora recruitment of all sites.
 Coral species encountered were:
Platygyra daedalea, Platygyra lamellina
Favia pallida, Porites harrisoni
Porites lutea, Cyphastrea microphthalma
Acropora clathrata, Acropora arabensis
 Corals were all of good health and no
diseases were observed
Significance of findings
Results show clear signs of the coral system’s resilience in the face of
what was likely the strongest disturbance of the century
Despite three marked thermal anomalies and their associated coral mass
mortality, the reefs are not dead and show very active signs of
regeneration.
So far, no extinctions have yet been identified, however, overall coral
biodiversity still remains depressed and coral coverage of available
substratum remains at record low levels.
The observed corals bear clear evidence of a fertile upstream seeding
population and active spread of sexual propagules throughout the
region.
There is no evidence for asexual increase in coral populations yet,
largely because the colonies are still too small
The active recruitment and reproduction indicates that remaining corals
are good health. Thus, there is hope for a full recovery of the coral
systems.
Project Progress
Year 1
Percent completed
10%
20%
30%
Large-scale map of entire area
Image classification
Field trips
Assess potential for recovery
Publish and circulate results
Production of draft training manuals
Choose trainees
Year 2
Fine-scale map of selected areas
Groundtruthing of image
Field trips
Assess potential for recovery
Publish and circulate results
Finalization of training manuals
Continuation of training
Percent completed
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Institutional Framework for Coral Reef
Conservation in UAE
Federal
Government
Ministry of
Environment and
Water
Local (Emirate)
Government
Environment Agency
– Abu Dhabi
Federal Environment
Agency
National Coastguard
and Marine Police
NonGovernmental
Oil Companies eg. Gulf Co-operative
ADNOC, ADCO, Council (GCC)
Dolphin, etc
UAE University
Municipalities eg. the
Marine Environment
and Sanctuaries Unit
of Dubai Municipality
International
Emirates Wildlife
Society (EWS)
Emirates Diving
Association
Regional
Organization for
the Protection of
the Marine
Environment
(ROPME)
United Nations
(IOC/UNEP/UNDP
/UNESCO)
Conservation and Management Initiatives
for Coral Reef Conservation in UAE
Federal Laws
eg. no. 23, 1999 on the Exploitation, Protection and Development
of Living Aquatic Resources in the UAE.
Federal Law no. 24 for the Protection and Development of the
Environment.
Decrees
eg. Decree no. 1 of June 1995 demarcating coral reef areas on the
East Coast for protection.
International Conventions:
CITES, CBD etc.
Management & Action Plans
Regional: Regional Action Plan for the Conservation of Coral Reefs in the Arabian
Seas Region (ROPME Sea Area)
Kuwait Action Plan
National: eg. Environmental Strategy and Action Plans for the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
(EAD).
Marawah Marine Protected Area Management Plan.
Conservation and Management Initiatives:
MPAs
Threats & Management Issues
Bleaching: Coral mortality (up to
98%) following bleaching events
associated with increases in the
frequency and prolongation of
positive seawater temperature
anomalies. Note: diversity in the
Jebel Ali Wildlife Sanctuary reduced
from 34 to 27 species following the
1996 bleaching event.
Crown of Thorns: periodically
abundant on East Coast reefs where
they have caused extensive damage.
Disease: Yellow-band, Black-band
and white band diseases present and
prevalence maybe increased by
anthropogenic stressors.
Threats & Management Issues
Threats & Management Issues
Threats & Management Issues
Effects of fishing eg. by-catch
Conclusions
1.
The coral reefs of the UAE have cultural, economic and scientific value.
2.
Threats are primarily derived from positive seawater temperature anomalies,
hyper-saline and thermal cooling water discharges, dredging and landfill,
urban refuse and the effects of fishing.
3.
Coral reef monitoring activities in the UAE started in 1995. Monitoring has
relied on international expertise highlighting the need for national capacity
building.
4.
There are a variety of conservation and management initiatives being
implemented by NGO’s as well as local/federal government institutions and
international organizations. (Legislation, strategic action plans, MPAs,
education and awareness campaigns etc.)
Acknowledgement:
Bernhard Riegl and Samuel Purkis
(NCRI, Florida)
Thabit Zahran, Suad Al Harthi,
Mohamed Jassim, Hamad Al Mazroei,
(EAD, UAE)
Nasser AL Shaiba (EHS,Dubai Ports)
EWS-WWF
Dolphin Energy