Miscellany

Miscellany

A new federal law on the protection of the marine environment, Law no. 23 for 1999, came into effect in April 2000. The law, prepared in consultation with bodies such as the Federal Environmental Agency, FEA, and the Environmental Research and Wildlife Development Agency, ERWDA, prescribes the imposition of stringent penalties for marine pollution and lays down the framework for tighter control of fisheries in the country, as part of plans to conserve marine resources.

The law was swiftly followed by the issuing of a decree by Abu Dhabi's Crown Prince, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, banning the use of 'hayali' fishing nets, whether drifting or fixed. The nets have been identified as causing severe damage to endangered marine life. ERWDA Deputy Chairman Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan noted in a comment on the decree that "these nets catch and drown endangered species like dugongs, dolphins, porpoises and turtles. For some of these species, Abu Dhabi's waters are home to some of the most important populations in the world. it is our duty to protect them."

"These nets also damage our commercial fish stocks. They are a wasteful form of fishing, catching fish that are never brought to market and also catching fish that are of no commercial use, " Sheikh Hamdan said. Penalties for those caught breaking the terms of the new decree include confiscation of nets and boats, financial penalties and jail terms.

The Commission of Environmental Research of the Emirates Heritage Club held its second annual conference at the Abu Dhabi Officers' Club between 8th-12th April. focussing on the conservation of the coastal zone. Papers presented at the event included the results of survey activity sponsored by CER in late 1999 and early 2000 on the marine habitat, mangroves, dugongs, cetaceans (including film of the first killer whales, Orcinus orca, ever recorded in the UAE), turtles, corals, seagrasses, birds, fisheries and the relevance of archaeology and heritage to coastal zone management.

A presentation was also made on the Al Jizya-1 oil spill which hit islands and lagoons north east of Abu Dhabi at the end of January. CER is to publish the papers presented at the conference, and plans a second series of fieldwork expeditions later this year.

Explorer and author Sir Wilfred Thesiger, on a visit to the UAE in February and March, paid a nostalgic visit to the edge of the Empty Quarter, south of the Liwa, as guest of the Abu Dhabi Company for Onshore Oil Operations, ADCO.

According to the weekly 'Twitchers' Guide' bird report, (on website www.uaeinteract.com), during his visit, Thesiger had the opportunity of seeing something he had not seen during his epic crossings of the desert half a century ago - a nest of a golden eagle, with a parent on the scene and a chick in the nest. The ornithologist who located the nest was, naturally, delighted. Not only did he get to visit the Empty Quarter with Thesiger, but got to show him something new as well.

Regular Tribulus contributor Gary Feulner is working on the preparation of an account of the terrestrial and freshwater snails and slugs to be found in the Emirates (many of which, no doubt, may prove to be introduced species). A number of surprises have already turned up.

Further details available from Gary.

Environmental archaeologist Mark Beech of ADIAS and Dr. Peter Hogarth of the Department of Biology at Britain's York University, carried out a short programme of biological fieldwork sampling in April to collect crabs for a scientific reference collection of comparative specimens for the United Arab Emirates. This will facilitate the identification of ancient crab material excavated from a number of archaeological sites in the UAE. It will also be of value for modern biological studies.

Samples were collected (from west to east) on Ghagha' island, Ras Ghumays peninsula, Sabkhat Matti, the mainland jetty for the Dalma ferry at Mugharraq, near Jebel Dhanna, Ruwais Housing Complex outlet pool, Marawah island, Tarif and at Maqta Bridge (Abu Dhabi).

Preliminary reports from Beech and Hogarth indicate that species new to the UAE were collected during their fieldwork.

The library and collections of the Emirates Natural History Group have moved house - to the purpose-built facilities of Abu Dhabi's Centre for Documentation and Studies, which is part of the President's Office. A temporary display of items will be established at the Centre, pending the completion of a major new building for research and display. The Group acknowledges, with thanks, the use of facilities provided in the past by the Environmental Research and Wildlife Development Agency, and looks forward to further collaboration with the Agency.

The text of Tribulus is now available on the websire of the Ministry of Information and Culture, http://www.uaeinteract.com

This site is maintained by Trident Press, publishers of a number of books on UAE history and natural history,and also carries the weekly UAE Twitchers' Guide. Linked to this site is that of Arabian Wildlife magazine, (to be relaunched in printed form later this year).

Information on the fishes of the UAE can be found on the site maintained by ADIAS's Mark Beech, who is affiliated with the Departments of Archaeology and Biology at York University.

More websites in the next issue (suggestions welcome).