First biosphere reserve in UAE

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Marawah Becomes the First Biosphere Reserve in the UAE

November 2007: Marawah Marine Protected Area has been designated as the

first Biosphere Reserve in the UAE by UNESCO.

 

The Marawah Marine Biosphere Reserve is situated west of Abu Dhabi Island,

and is home to important marine and coastal ecosystems including sea grass

beds, coral reefs and mangroves. The Reserve also hosts 60% of the second

largest population of dugongs in the world. Marawah is also of great

cultural and archaeological significance in the UAE as more than 20 sites

dating back to the Stone Age have been discovered on its various islands.

 

Marawah was one of 22 new Biosphere reserves in 18 countries that were added

to the global network bringing the total number of biosphere reserves around

the world to 529 in 105 countries.

 

Other reserves added to the global network, include Al Reem in Qatar and

Jabal Al Rihane in Lebanon. During the meeting, Mr. Thabit Zahran Al

Abdessalaam, Director of Marine Environment Research Center of the

Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi delivered a presentation on Marawah. Ghalia

Humaidan, Counselor of the UAE Delegation at UNESCO, also attended the

meetings.

 

*Marawah Marine Protected Area *

 

 

• It is the largest Marine Protected Area in the Arabian Gulf.

• Was established in 2001 as a protected area to preserve the natural

diversity and quality of its coastal and marine environment for the

economic, social, scientific and cultural benefit of the people of the

Emirate of Abu Dhabi and the UAE.

• The overall area of the Marawah MPA is 4255 km2.

• Bottlenose and Humpback dolphins are present in the surrounding waters.

• 4 species of marine turtles, especially Green and Hawksbill Turtles, can

be found here. The coasts of the marine protected area are considered as

prospective beaches for the nesting of marine turtles.

• More than 70 species of fish and coral reefs that are of environmental and

economical importance to the country.