02
Jun 2008 - Emirates Wildlife Society - WWF
today celebrated the completion of its historic
three year collaborative research project,
'Coral Reef Investigations in Abu Dhabi
and Eastern Qatar.' The research took place
between January 1, 2005 and December 31,
2007.
The objectives were to map, for the first
time, the extensive range of shallow coral
reefs lying in Qatari and Abu Dhabi waters.
The need was to assess the condition and
potential for recovery of various degraded
reef systems and to build up the professional
capacities of national researchers in Abu
Dhabi and Qatar.
The study's overall
goal has been to develop a long-term conservation
management plan for these coral reef habitats,
for the benefit of the reefs themselves,
sustainable local fish stocks and future
generations of UAE and Qatari citizens.
The project was a highly
successful collaborative venture between
researchers from the Environment Agency
- Abu Dhabi (EAD)Environment Agency - Abu
Dhabi (EAD) and Qatar's Supreme Council
for the Environment and Natural Resources
(SCENR). It was sponsored by Dolphin Energy
Limited and managed by the UAE's Emirates
Wildlife Society (EWS) and the regional
branch of the World Wide Fund for Nature
(WWF). Expert scientific support was provided
by coral reef specialists from the National
Coral Reef Institute (NCRI) in Florida.
Dolphin EnergyDolphin
Energy's UAE General Manager, Ibrahim Ahmed
Al Ansari said: "We have gathered a
unique trove of knowledge, of great scientific
value. We and our collaborators now know
where the coral is thriving, even re-growing,
despite extreme temperature conditions in
recent summers.
"We also now know
that regional coastal development is accelerating
coral die-off. The dangers involved have
been assessed in the Coral Reef Management
Plan in this project. Together, we can protect
these beautiful and essential marine habitats
for the benefit of our children and future
generations."
Mr Al Ansari also added
that the close working partnership between
DolphinDolphin as an energy company, non-government
organizations (NGOs), regulatory agencies
and academia throughout all phases of the
three year project was a key to its success.
For the EWS-WWF, Managing
Director Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak said:
"It is my pleasure to present to you
the final project report which confirms
that coral growth is widespread throughout
Abu Dhabi's and Qatar's territorial waters.
Many of these reefs are in a good state
of health but, unfortunately, an almost
equal number have been severely impacted
by natural and man-made disturbances."
She added: "On
behalf of EWS-WWF I would like to highlight
the significance and importance of this
project - the first of its kind ever to
be carried out in the Gulf; and also to
thank all of those who made it possible."
Youssef Al Hamar, Director,
Technical Affairs, SCENR stated: "Environmental
specialists in both countries have worked
hard side-by -side in cooperation with coral
reef experts through 3 successive years.I
would like to thank all who contributed
for their efforts throughout. Working as
a team was really exciting. We hope to see
and contribute to similar environmental
projects in the near future."
Thabet Al Abdessalaam,
speaking on behalf of Majid Al Mansoori,
General Secretary, EADEAD, concluded: "On
behalf of the Environment Agency-Abu DhabiEnvironment
Agency-Abu Dhabi, I extend my sincere thanks
and gratitude to the project team and all
who contributed to make this project a success.
I would also like to extend our gratitude
to the Emirates Wildlife Society and Dolphin
EnergyDolphin Energy for their continued
support and excellent cooperation.".
Over the three year
period, the various project teams undertook
scale mapping of coral - using satellite
imagery, as well as ground verification,
accuracy reports, fieldwork around the islands,
training of scientific personnel at SCENR
and EADEAD, a coral reef monitoring training
manual, production of the conservation master
plan and completion of a definitive coral
reef documentary.
A new illustrated book,
"Coral," and a documentary, will
be published later in the year to commemorate
the project.
+ More
Experts welcome World
Bank's commitment to tiger conservation
09 Jun 2008 - Washington
- The 39 member organizations of the International
Tiger Coalition (ITC) applaud the World
Bank’s announcement today that it will undertake
a global joint venture to help reverse the
decline in wild tigers — the first-ever
species initiative by the Bank.
The Bank has asked the
ITC member organizations, representing some
of the world's foremost tiger scientists,
conservation groups, animal welfare advocates,
traditional Chinese medicine specialists,
and zoos, to provide expertise and strategic
guidance to the initiative.
During the next six
months, the Bank promises to hold open and
frank dialogues with all stakeholders in
tiger range countries—governments and non-governmental
organizations—about which tiger conservation
methods have worked in the past and which
have not. This process is crucial for reversing
the damage done to tiger habitat from poorly
planned development projects in the past
and addressing all major threats facing
the fewer than 4,000 tigers remaining in
the wild.
“The potential loss
of wild tigers is a global problem that
requires a global solution," said Judy
Mills of the International Tiger Coalition.
“The World Bank’s involvement has the potential
to catalyze a paradigm shift for wild tigers
and their habitats.”
The ITC is encouraged
by the World Bank’s stated interest in ensuring
that its future investments do no harm to
wild tigers and hopes that other development
agencies will follow suit. The ITC hopes
that the Bank’s efforts will call world
attention to the need to stop all demand
for and use of tiger skins and bones.
