EDITORS COMMENT 3

Editor's COMMENT

Welcome to this third edition of Arabian Wildlife magazine. I am particularly pleased to bring you the main feature of this issue which reports upon the results of a joint NCWCD/European Commission study of the Arabian Gulf's status two years after the Gulf War oil spill. It does not seem so long ago that we were so terribly saddened by the ecological impact of the world's largest oil-slick. Few scientists would have predicted that the long term effects for underwater life would be so minimal, or that the recovery rate in parts of the intertidal would be so encouraging. Whilst the upper shores, mangroves and salt marshes were devastated by the oil's killing tides, efforts to save key habitats were remarkably successful and we have to be grateful for all the wonderful support that we received to combat the worst effects of the oil-slick. Indeed, rather than dwelling upon the downside of this ecological nightmare, I prefer now to view its positive aspects. Among these I shall never forget the great atmosphere of national and international cooperation which brought together so many people and organisations.

One of the enduring lessons to be drawn from the whole affair is that successful conservation efforts depend upon effective local, regional, national and international cooperation. Many of the articles in this issue allude to such cooperative efforts. Thus, for example we can read of the great strides that are being made in bird conservation, throughout Arabia and the Middle East, highlighted by publication of BirdLife International's fascinating publication on Important Bird Areas. One of the participants of a UNESCO mission to Socotra, aimed at assessing its suitability as a Biosphere Reserve, brings us a unique account of that island's wildlife. We can also read how modern technology and international cooperation is enabling houbara bustards in Arabia to be tracked by satellites whose operational bases are in France and the United States. These are all fine examples of the type of cooperation that can spell the future for saving Arabia's unique and varied natural heritage.

Also in this issue we bring further news of Arabia's first Wildlife Photographer of the Year Competition, together with a small preview of some of the entered pictures. The competition is an important reminder that wildlife studies and conservation must involve all our efforts. We hope that the competition will become an annual event and that it will help to foster a greater awareness of wildlife throughout Arabia and beyond.

Please do write and tell us your own views about the magazine and about subjects that you would like to see covered. Meanwhile, good reading and thank you for your interest in Arabian Wildlife.

Professor Abdulaziz H. Abuzinada