UAE helps track marine turtles in Pakistan using satellite transmitters

Mr. Majid Al-Mansouri, Secretary General of EAD, witnessed the release, which was the second cooperation of its kind, with the first release in Pakistan being organized in 2001. A second transmitter is planned to be installed on another turtle later this week.

The main objective is to monitor the movement patterns of the marine turtle, which is declared an as an endangered species by the World Conservation Union (IUCN).

Prior to the release, Ali Hassan Habib, Director General of WWF-Pakistan, delivered a key note address. It was followed by a presentation about the NGO's conservation initiatives. Thabit Zahran Al Abdessalaam, Director of EAD's Marine Environment Research Center (MERC), presented an overview of Abu Dhabi's marine programmes. Also present during the release was Brigadier (Retd.) Mukhtar Ahmed Vice President Emeritus WWF- Pakistan.

Are We Tracking this Turtle?

The transmitter, installed on the turtle's exterior, will help in collecting information about post-nesting migration patterns of the turtles, their foraging area, the time spent for foraging and the resting and distance covered per day. It will also help in collecting information about their biological characteristics and general behavior. These data will help determine what conservation measures need to be implemented to protect marine turtles. Both transmitters were provided by EAD, which also trained WWF - Pakistan's staff on satellite telemetry of marine turtles. In 2001, the data collected showed that the tagged turtles returned back to the nesting habitat to re-nest.

About Marine Turtles

In the UAE

Here in the UAE, EAD has been conducting a sea turtle survey project of nesting habitats in the Abu Dhabi Emirate. The green and hawksbill turtles are the focus of this project, as they are regularly observed in UAE waters. However, the hawksbill is the only species that nests. The survey, which extended from Abu Dhabi City to Al Sila and the offshore islands of the Emirate, has helped EAD develop a strategy for conserving the species.

Hawksbill turtles nest from mid-March to mid-June. The hawksbill turtle, which have so far been recorded to nest only on the islands, will not nest in areas containing heavy debris and litter, on rocky shores, near mangroves or exposed tidal flats. They require clean, sandy beaches to nest.

In Pakistan

Two species nest in Pakistan, they are: Green Turtle and Olive Ridley. Normally, the nesting season of marine turtles along the Pakistan coast begins every year from August until January.