Groundbreaking Discovery: First Green Turtle Nest In Abu Dhabi's Al Dhafra Region
In a significant development for marine conservation, the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) has reported the first-ever nesting of Green Turtles in the Al Dhafra Region, a known habitat for Hawksbill Turtles. This discovery, made during the agency's annual turtle survey, marks a notable event in the study of marine biodiversity in Abu Dhabi's waters, where Green Turtles are commonly found but have never been observed nesting.
Ahmed Al Hashmi, Executive Director of Terrestrial and Marine Biodiversity Sector at EAD, highlighted the rarity of this sighting. "This year, our nocturnal turtle surveys led us to a Green Sea Turtle nesting at a Hawksbill Turtle nest location. This is a rare occurrence, considering our previous studies showed that most of Abu Dhabi's Green Turtles migrated to Oman for nesting," Al Hashmi explained. Despite the unusual location, characterised by small pocket beaches and rocky outcrops, the discovery underscores the comprehensive monitoring efforts by EAD and contributes to the broader understanding of Green Turtle nesting behaviors in the region.
The agency's diligent conservation efforts are reflected in the increase of Hawksbill Turtle nests, with 247 nests recorded this year compared to 193 in 2022, boasting a 72 per cent hatching success rate. This growth is indicative of the steady population of this species in Abu Dhabi waters and underscores the importance of nesting activity as an indicator of a thriving marine ecosystem.
Abu Dhabi is a habitat for four of the seven marine turtle species found worldwide, including the Hawksbill and Green Turtle, with over 6,000 individuals reported. The marine biodiversity in the Al Dhafra Region, between Abu Al Abyadh and Bu Tinah islands, as well as near Al Yasat and Muhayimat islands, provides essential habitats such as seagrass beds, marine algae, and coral reefs for these turtles. Nesting season spans from mid-March to mid-June, with hatching occurring from mid-June to early August. Female turtles exhibit selectiveness in choosing their nesting sites, often scouting beaches for several nights before settling on a location.
The increased nesting and hatching activity reported this year not only highlights the health of Abu Dhabi's marine ecosystems but also the effectiveness of EAD's marine environment protection policies. The agency's efforts in establishing and managing natural reserves, as part of the Sheikh Zayed Protect Areas Network, have been instrumental. EAD's six marine reserves, accounting for 14 per cent of the emirate's marine area, play a critical role in preserving biodiversity and supporting the stability of significant species, including marine turtles.
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