World Status, Exploitation and Trade - WIDECAST

UNITED ARAB EMIRATESPOPULATIONVery little information is available. Green Turtles are quite frequentlyrecorded in UAE waters, but singly or in small numbers (Brown, 1984).Turtles, probably Greens or Hawksbills, still nest on certain offshoreislands (unspecified), apparently in small numbers. About AO nests orpossible nests were counted in 1984, all within the period 10 April-28 May.Ross ( in litt . 29 December 1986) specified nesting by a small population(taxon unknown) on offshore islands of Dubai. Turtles nested on Das untilat least 1980, when turtles could be seen ashore early on summer mornings.THREATSCoastal development and exploitation are thought to be contributing to ageneral decline in turtle numbers. The port of Jebel Ali was built on aC. mydas nesting area (Brown, 1983). The turtle population on islands nearDubai is reportedly seriously affected by fishermen taking eggs (Rossin litt. , 29 December 1986).EXPLOITATIONCommodity Green Turtles are exploited mainly for eggs (Brown, 1984),although some meat is evidently consumed (Ross and Barwani, 1982).Hunting intensity The collection of eggs was said to be seriouslyaffecting a small nesting population of either C. mydas or E. imbricata onthe islands off Dubai (J. P. Ross in litt. , 29 December 1986). Brown (1984)reported that nests on offshore islands were "regularly robbed byfishermen", and that this was probably contributing to a population decline.Hunting methods Brown (1984) described finding a live Green Turtleupside down on a beach near Jazirat Badiyah. Small turtles are occasionallycaught, probably accidentally, in drift nets (Brown, 1984).Domestic trade Green Turtles, originating in Oman, were reported to besold in the fish market in Abu Dhabi at approximately US$6 a kg (Ross andBarwani, 1982).International trade The only evidence of international trade is theimport of about 100 C. mydas a year overland in small trucks from Oman (Rossand Barwani , 1982)LEGISLATIONThere is no information on any legislation protecting turtles in thecountry. The UAE acceded to CITES on 1 July 1975 but withdrew from theConvention in 1988. It has never submitted an Annual Report, and isbelieved not to have enacted legislation to Implement the Convention.RANCHINGThere were apparently plans for a sea turtle hatchery at Dubai Creek, butthese have not been implemented, and it is thought that the area may beunsuitable (J. P. Ross in litt . , 29 December 1986).540