The EPAA of Sharjah and Zayed University

BY FADI YAGHMOUR – SCIENTIFIC RESEARCHER (EPAA)

A twelve metre Bryde’s whale was found dead in Dubai waters on Friday the 28th of May. Thanks to cross entities and the Emirates cooperation, a full necropsy was successfully conducted, allowing the collection of valuable samples. These will help to better understand the status and ecology of this species in the region, and ultimately support the conservation of these majestic sea creatures.

The whale was found in the Jebel Ali channel by the P&O Emergency team that towed the animal into the port. Thanks to the right cascade of contacts, the whale’s body was successfully recovered and moved to an area where it was possible to safely conduct a full necropsy. P&O contacted the Natural Resources Protection Section, Environment Department, and Dubai Municipality, who in turn promptly contacted Dr Ada Natoli, assistant professor at Zayed University (ZU) and founder of the UAE Dolphin Project Initiative. She has actively been working with whales and dolphins in the UAE since 2012 and collaborates across the Emirates striving towards increasing the knowledge of these species and supporting their conservation. Dr Ada Natoli contacted the Environment and Protected Areas Authority of Sharjah (EPAA), who are experienced in whale stranding response and necropsy through their Sharjah Stranding Response Programme (SSRP).With the green light to proceed from both authorities, a team of experienced experts were dispatched by EPAA with the support from Dubai Municipality and Dr Ada to conduct the necropsy on the animal and gather morphological and biological samples to assess the species, the status of the animal, and investigate the possible cause of death.

The whale was successfully identified as a 12.38 metre male Bryde’s whale weighing 15 tons. The application of an “external human evaluation interaction protocol” did not reveal any clear evidence of marine debris entanglement or ship strike. No traces of recent meals were observed in the stomach, but a number of parasites were observed in several organs. The samples collected will be utilised to investigate the status of the different organs, toxicological parameters as well as the genetic profile of the animal.

Bryde’s whales are rare but regular in the Arabian Gulf up to Kuwait, Iraq and in the Arabian Sea. Two species of Bryde’s whales are currently recognised: B. brydei and B. edeni with the latter one possibly including two different subspecies, a larger pelagic form and a smaller more coastal form. They can reach a maximum of 15 metres and up to 40 tons. Historically, Bryde’s whales in the Arabian region were targeted by Soviet whalers, active up to the mid-1960s, that recorded the killing of up to 849 individuals. We do not have any estimates of the current status of this species or its population size in the region and in UAE waters, and each sample and sighting of these animals can make a drastic difference in supporting their conservation.

Professor Fares Howari, Dean of the College of Natural and Health Sciences at Zayed University said, in reference to the UAE Dolphin Project led by Dr Ada Natoli, that, “This is an exciting project. Whales and dolphins play a crucial role in the marine ecosystem. Being at the top of the marine food chain, together with other species such as sharks and top marine predators, they are “Ecological Indicators” of the status of the sea. The project began after the successful completion of the last phases of the ZU coral propagation project. Which was part of the Coral Conservation in the Arabian Gulf supported by the Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi and Nawah Energy”. Prof Howari indicated that, “the current project will boost marine science and marine biology research lines at ZU. The project will provide accurate information on dolphin population and their distribution in the Gulf. We shared understanding with our partners on the importance of this project, and the innovative approach to achieve its objectives”.

In line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, the Environment and Protected Areas Authority, under the leadership of Her Excellency Hana Saif Al Suwaidi, aims to protect Sharjah’s natural environment and conserve its rich biodiversity. This is achieved through data driven policies and increased public awareness and participation in supporting the principle of sustainable development to preserve natural and environmental capital to the benefit of present and future generations.

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