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The EnvironmentandProtected Areas Authority (EPAA) in Sharjah today unveiled findings of its scientific research to monitorfungal life forms in Sir Bu Nair Island, which is under the jurisdiction of Sharjah.
The initiative was conducted in collaboration with theEmiratesMarineEnvironmentalGroup (EMEG) and with support from the World Wide Fund for Nature and sponsorship from HSBC.
The scientific researchunveils the rarities of the biodiversity in the island’s protected area andwas carried out under the direction ofHis Highness Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qassimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah. Additionally, His Highness Sultan Bin Mohammad Bin Sultan Al Qassimi, the Crown Prince, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and Secretary General of the Sharjah Executive Council, extended his support to the study and ensured its follow-up.
The study recorded over 324 nests of the hawksbill turtle in all the beaches in the island. Additionally, there was a finding of two nests of the green turtle in the southern area of the island in 2010, which form the first occurrences of the green turtle nesting in the UAE and the southeast area of the Arabian Gulf.
It is worth mentioning that Sir Bu Nair Island is one of the most important locations in the Arabian Gulf where the hawksbill turtles build their nests, and is the most important location in the UAE.
In addition, there was a confirmation of the existence of around 37 different species of coral reefs in Abu Dhabi and Jebel Ali in Dubai. Over 58 different species of coral reef fish were identified through the studies where the highest rate of fish biodiversity was recorded. A number of other species of fish were also found in the northern and southern areas of Sir Bu Nair Island, which forms a new record of fish in the gulf waters of the UAE. There was also a finding of a big colony of Sooty Gulls in the middle of the Sir Bu Nair Island, where the studies recorded around 1,037 nests.
The announcements came at a press conference held today at the Al Qasba Theatre in Sharjah, inthe presence of Her Excellency Hana Saif Al Suwaidi, General Manager of Environment and Protected Areas Authority in Sharjah, Ammar Shams, Regional Head of Corporate Sustainability at HSBC, Ali Saker Al Swaidi, President of Emirates Marine Environmental Group, and researcher Laurence Vanneyre, Project Manager, Emirates Marine Environmental Group, in addition to a number of important personalities and media representatives.
The conference commenced with a speech by Her Excellency Hana Saif Al Suwaidi, where she expressed her gratitude to the guardian of the environmental efforts in Sharjah His Highness Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qassimi. She also thanked His Highness Sultan Bin Mohammad Bin Sultan Al Qassimifor his support and patronage.
Her Excellency Hana Saif Al Suwaidiemphasized on the importance of Sir Bu Nair Island as an environmental and cultural landmark in the UAE, which has beengranted special attention from the Sharjah leadership.In addition to research activities being carried out sincethe 1980s, the site also received a special visit fromHis Highnessin April 1985.
Furthermore, His Highness’ focus on the island as a natural wealth led todecision No. (3) inthe year 2000 on the prevention of environmental degradation in Sir Bu Nair Island.
Additionally, to support the special strategic action plan set to preserve the island’s biodiversity, the Emiri Decree No. (25) for the year 2000 was issued regarding the establishing of a natural reserve in the Sir Bu Nair Island and achieve the decree’s goals. TheEPAAalso worked on setting a methodological plan in order to execute the scientific studies thataim to preserve and protect the cultural and environmental heritage which make the island unique.
Her Excellency Hana Saif Al Suwaidistated that EPAA prioritized the execution of the action plan set to carry out the scientific studies, and to prepare a study for all the data and information about the island’s ecosystem and its biodiversity.
Ali Saker Al Swaidi, President of Emirates Marine Environmental Group, expressed his appreciation of the efforts exerted by the EnvironmentandProtected Areas Authority for protecting the biodiversity in the Sir Bu Nair reserve.
He emphasized on the environmental importance of the island and its strategic location in the system of global natural reserves. Ascertaining the national responsibility of the group in the process of supporting the efforts of specialized environmental authorities, he underlined the excellent collaborative relations with the environmental authority in Sharjah. He concluded his speech highlighting that the existing synergy with the Authority will continue to produce more scientific studies in the island.
Mustafa Ramzi, Member of the Corporate Sustainability and CSR Committee at HSBC, said: “Through oursupport to the EmiratesMarineEnvironmentalGroup, we are proud at HSBC to be part of this important initiative which aims at protecting the biodiversity in Sir Bu Nair Island thatstands out with its historical heritage and its biodiversity. Furthermore, as a majorfinancial corporation, we believeit is our duty towards our customers and community to consolidate the concept of a sustainable, ethical and responsible corporate philosophy.”
Ramzi also added that Sair Bu Nair Island is not only an important environmental reserve but also an attraction for the tourism industry and an important historical heritage in the UAE. He reiterated that the research project demonstrates the intensity of the attention given to environmental issues, and is an indicator of the increase in the awareness and concern to provide solutions that would protect the natural environment.
Headded: “Our support is not only limited to the financial aspect. We have also encouraged our employees to get involved, where a number of them carried out activities that aim to protect the island’s environment and later inform their colleagues of their experiences and therefore strengthen the societal awareness of our environment’s issues and waysto protect it.”
As part of the press conference’s agenda, a documentary was screened about the island’s cultural and environmental importance focusing on the historical and cultural landmarks that indicate the connection between the island and diving for the rare wealth the island enjoys in its biodiversity, coastal beauty, as well as natural and geological make up.
Through the EmiratesMarineEnvironmentalGroup, EPAA will continuedits environmental monitoring in Sir Bu Nair throughout 2011 and 2012.
Through focusing on these beaches, there is hope that more turtle nests will be documented, and therefore more ideas about the nesting behavior will be generated. The areas of the coral reefs and coral reef fish are going to be expanded so it would cover other areas all over the Sir Bu Nair coasts.
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