Dugong
More information about Dugongs
Bu Tinah Island has one of the healthiest dugong populations in the world.
Dugong dugon (Müller, 1776)
The dugong (Dugong dugon) or locally known as ‘baqr al bahar’ is a species of high biodiversity value as its well-being is intricately related to the occurrence of suitable seagrass meadows on which it is entirely dependent. Dugongs spend a large proportion of their daily activities feeding, culminating in a food consumption of up to 35 kilogram of seagrass per day.
Three seagrass species occur in Abu Dhabi waters, of which the narrow-leaf seagrass (Halodule uninervis) is the dominant species in terms of coverage of occurrence and biomass compared to the other two species, the oval or paddle-leaf seagrass (Halophila ovalis) and the broad-leaf seagrass or Halophila stipulacea.
Adult dugongs reach lengths of more than 3 meter and weigh up to 400 kilogram. They surface to breathe every few minutes using paired valve like nostrils positioned on the top of the head.
The waters of Abu Dhabi are internationally recognized as the stronghold of the dugong in the Western Indian Ocean Region. The population of dugongs is estimated to reach around 3,000 animals in the winter and around 2,300 in the summer period in Abu Dhabi waters. The majority of these populations (65%) forage in and around Bu Tinah island that lies within the Marawah Marine Biosphere Reserve.
Despite concerns over the welfare of dugong populations in the area stemming from continued and rapid development of the coastal areas in the region, the studies so far confirm the healthy status of dugong population in the Emirate especially within the Marawah Marine Biosphere Reserve. The main stressors on dugong include habitat loss and degradation (seagrass) and direct impacts from human activities such as drowning due to boat hits, or fishing gear entanglement.
D. dugon is a flagship species being classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, and listed on Appendix I of CITES and Appendix II of the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS).
