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Marine Turtle Newsletter 35:3-4, © 1985

Recent Turtle Records from the United Arab Emirates

J. N. B. Brown
Emirates Natural History Group, PO Box 303, Abu Dhaabi, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

The United Arab Emirates is bordered by the Arabian (not the Persian here) Gulf to the north and the Gulf of Oman to the east. That there are still reports of turtles in the area is encouraging, considering the amount of pollution in these waters. However, little is being done to protect them. Some records from 1984 appear below:

Turtles are regularly spotted off Das Island in the summer months, reportedly measuring up to 100cm in carapace length. Identification is difficult as they are wary and dive whenever approached. Small ones are occasionally trapped in fishermen's drift nets. As recently as 1980 turtles could be seen on sandy beaches around Das early on summer mornings, and on occasion eggs were collected. It is not known whether females still visit the island to lay eggs.

Our records prove that at least two species of turtle, the green (Chelonia mydas) and the loggerhead (Caretta caretta) are still inhabiting Gulf waters, though probably in reduced numbers. If some conservation measures were introduced to protect their habitats and breeding grounds, they might increase in number to be a useful resource. Nests on offshore islands are still regularly robbed by fishermen to obtain the eggs for feed. This, together with the development and industrialization of several offshore islands and known mainland breeding areas, is probably leading to the overall decline in turtle numbers.

Should anyone interested in turtles, or any other natural history subject, be passing this way, they would be most welcome to get in touch with our Group. We may be able to offer them some form of help.