Sponsored by the Union National Bank, Abu Dhabi
It will come as a surprise to many that the UAE may prove to be
host to over one third of the world’s 80 or so species of whales
and dolphins. Not only that, but some of these may even be sub-species
new to science and unique to the region.
The Union National Bank Whale and Dolphin Research project began
in February 1995. The initial aims are to establish baseline data
regarding the status and distribution of cetaceans. Genetic studies
and research on the effects of pollution on dolphins have also
begun, in coordination with the Centre for Dolphin Studies in
Port Elizabeth, South Africa. All data are to be geared towards
successful conservation management of this fascinating and remarkable
group of marine mammals.
The first phases of fieldwork were conducted along the coasts
and offshore islands to the west of Abu Dhabi. Whales have been
sighted in areas to the far west, beyond Jebal Dhana, though reports
of their presence have also come from the islands of Zerkouh and
Qarmain. There is little doubt that the Gulf waters of the UAE
host a number of different whale species. Apart from live sightings,
in the four months since inception of fieldwork, four relatively
freshly dead whales have been found on beaches and the remains
of at least a further seven discovered. In some cases, identification
is difficult, for example, when only a few of the bones have been
found, but the species found probably include: blue whale (Balaenoptera
musculus), fin whale (B. physalus), minke whale (B. acutorostrata),
sei whale (B. borealis), Bryde’s whale (B. edeni) and false killer
whale (Pseudorca crassidens). Genetic analysis of collected skin
and bone samples will confirm which species occur.
Dolphins have also been seen on many occasions and in many areas.
Particularly striking is the relative abundance of both bottlenose
(Tursiops truncatus) and Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins (Sousa
chinensis).
The Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin is a particularly interesting
species about which very little is known. IUCN – The World Conservation
Union – list it in their Red Data Book as ‘Unknown’, but it is
generally thought of as a species under threat due to its preference
for shallow, coastal environments. Throughout its range, it generally
occurs in small groups of between six and ten individuals and
occasionally up to 25. On two separate occasions, in two separate
localities groups of over 30 Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins were
discovered and observed for many hours. This constitutes the largest
two groups of the species on record. The dolphins were active
at times, leaping clear of the water and interacting with one
another. One young male performed a backward somersault, an unusual
acrobatic display for this species. Feeding behaviour was also
observed, sometimes in water less than one metre deep.
Bottlenose dolphins were also frequently seen, sometimes in mixed
pods with Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins. Large numbers of dead
bottlenose dolphins and other forms of marine life is cause for
concern. The remains found were of animals that had died anywhere
between one month and three years previously. On one day a seven
hour walk along beaches revealed the remains of 28 bottlenose
dolphins, three common dolphins, one spinner dolphin, one false
killer whale, one baleen whale, 26 dugongs, 32 green turtles,
one loggerhead turtle, two sea snakes, over 30 seabirds, such
as cormorants, gulls, terns and flamingos and many large fishes.
Many skulls were collected for deposition in the Natural History
Museum at the UAE University in Al Ain, once they have been properly
measured and catalogued. Numerous samples were also taken for
genetic analysis and where possible, pollution and stomach content
analyses. The numbers of remains found suggests the possibility
of death where human activity is a causal factor.
One of the most exciting elements of field research was the discovery
of a finless porpoise (Neophocaena phocaenoides), found on a beach
on the island of Murawah. Finless porpoise have never before been
officially recorded in the waters of the UAE and have only very
rarely been recorded anywhere in the Arabian Gulf. This is apparently
the first record of its presence in the Arabian Gulf for four
years. Skin and muscle tissue samples were collected for genetic
analysis. This will be the first genetic analysis to be performed
on this species anywhere in the world, forming the basis for any
future genetic work. We need to find out more about this shy animal,
poorly known to science, as its survival is surely threatened.
Skulls of other dolphins were also collected from the Island of
Murawah. Three, in particular, are interesting as they belong
to a species of the family Stenellidae, the spinner dolphin (Stenella
longirostris), constituting yet another new record for the UAE..
Another skull may prove to be that of a spotted dolphin (S. attenuata),
another new record if confirmed.
Off the coast of Fujairah, further new records for the UAE were
made. Sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) were observed in deep
water (1000) metres, including males, females and juveniles. This
suggests the possibility of a breeding ground. Risso’s dolphins
(Grampus griseus) were also regularly observed offshore in this
area. Neither species had been recorded in the UAE prior to these
sightings. False killer whales and bottlenose dolphins also regularly
occur off the UAE east coast.
Observations have also been made regarding the interaction between
marine mammals of the UAE and human activity, for example, fisheries.
The welfare of the rich natural marine resources of the region
depends upon effective coastal and marine management, planning
and implementation, including the declaration of protected areas.
In order to achieve this, planning authorities require solid scientific
data upon which to base decisions and execute action plans. The
process of gathering data for management purposes is multi-disciplinary.
Links between the various marine research programmes in the UAE
are therefore vital and good co-operation so far, has led to greater
use of information.
That several new records can be made in just a few months field
study is testament to the value of this region to marine mammals
and the lack of research carried out until now. Research on marine
mammals in the UAE has really just begun. The discoveries made
by the Union National Bank Whale and Dolphin Research Project
illustrates the wealth of information that is to be revealed,
the value of that information both to local requirements and the
international scientific community, and the need for focused study
in the future.
An inherent component of any successful conservation project is
the need to create awareness. To this end, results of the research
have been turned into a hardback book on the subject, published
in both Arabic and English. The book is the first publication
on whales and dolphins to come from the UAE and details our knowledge
of cetaceans here to date. A foreword for the book has been written
by H.E. Sheikh Nahayan bin Mabarak Al Nahayan. Chapters include
information on each of the species of cetaceans in UAE waters,
as well as the intriguing relationship between fishermen and cetaceans,
the history and evolution of cetaceans, conservation, and scientific
research on the country’s cetacean life. The text is complemented
by over 100 colour photographs.