EPAA RETURNS RESCUED AND REHABILITATED SEABIRDS TO THE SEA

BY FADI YAGHMOUR – SCIENTIFIC RESEARCHER (EPAA)

The Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA), in cooperation with the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), Sharjah Police General Command, and Sharjah Municipality hosted a seabird release event on the 16th of March 2023. The event was attended by several senior officials and participants, including HH Sheikh Majid bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Head of the Districts and Villages Affairs Department, and HE Hana Saif Al Suwaidi, Chairperson of the Environment and Protected Areas Authority in Sharjah. The highlight of the event was the release of 158 rescued and rehabilitated seabirds on the Al Heera Beach, Sharjah. An awareness exhibition showcasing different types of seabirds and their conservation was also organised. The event aimed to raise awareness on seabird conservation and educate the public about the importance of their protection.

The term “strandings” refers to marine animals found on land that are either dead, injured, or exhibiting abnormal behaviour. The Sharjah Strandings Response Program is an initiative established under the Environment and Protected Areas Authority to address and investigate strandings. In the first quarter of 2023, over 750 strandings were identified on the coasts of Sharjah through the SSRP’s Strandings Response Network and reported to EPAA responders. These strandings included various species of sea turtles, sea snakes, seabirds, and even a whale. Deceased strandings were carefully collected and transported to the laboratory for further investigation, while live strandings were rescued and taken to the Breeding Centre of Endangered Wildlife (BCEAW) for rehabilitation. Seabirds comprised the majority of recorded strandings and their rehabilitation is conducted at the veterinary unit at Sharjah Safari. Once seabirds are assessed to be fit for release by a qualified veterinarian, arrangements are made for their immediate release. This event is only one of many release events the EPAA has conducted across this year.

Hana Saif Al Suwaidi said, “The bird release event is one of the initiatives of the Sharjah Strandings Response Program (SSRP) to translate its vision and efforts in preserving biodiversity in the region. It is part of implementing the directives of HH Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, to preserve the environment, protect marine and terrestrial life, and consolidate concepts and initiatives of environmental sustainability.”

Seabirds play a crucial role in marine ecosystems, and their conservation is essential to maintaining a healthy ocean environment. They are not only important indicators of the health of marine ecosystems, but they also help to control the populations of their prey, including fish and invertebrates, which can have a significant impact on the marine food web. Additionally, many seabirds travel long distances and play a crucial role in transporting nutrients between different regions of the ocean. Seabird populations are facing many threats, including habitat loss, pollution, climate change, and overfishing, and their conservation is critical to ensuring the health of our oceans and the many species that rely on them. Efforts to conserve and protect seabird populations can include habitat restoration, reducing pollution and plastic waste, and enforcing regulations to prevent overfishing and bycatch.

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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