Seminar shines spotlight on conservation of dugongs

Qatar University (QU), in collaboration with ExxonMobil Research Qatar (EMRQ) and Texas A&M University at Galveston (TAMUG), recently hosted a two-day workshop at the QU Research Complex to discuss Qatar’s dugong population, their global status as well as current and future strategies for their conservation in the country.

The workshop followed the signing of an agreement in July by the three parties to further environmental research and marine mammal initiatives relevant to Qatar.

Close to 40 environmental regulators and academics, from environment research, management and conservation institutes and other stakeholders, including the Ministry of Environment (MoE) and Ministry of Municipality and Urban Planning (MMUP), participated in the discussion on strategies and recommendations for dugong conservation as well as current and future collaborative opportunities.

Qatar is home to the largest population of dugongs outside Australia. Dugongs are large, herbivorous marine mammals that consume sea grass, can reach lengths of more than 3m, weigh over 400kg and live up to 60 years. Historically, dugongs have a cultural and economic importance to Qataris, having been used as both an economic and food resource in the Arabian Gulf for more than 7,500 years.

Though long-living, dugongs have a low reproductive output. They are listed as Vulnerable to Extinction by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.

Currently, dugongs in Qatar face challenges such as incidental fishing and habitat degradation. Limited research has been conducted on Qatari dugongs so far and the tri-party initiative will aim to develop the scientific understanding needed to inform decisions for their protection and conservation.

The extreme marine and physical environment of the Arabian Gulf, as well as the northern limit of dugong distribution, may suggest that their life-history will differ from populations in Australia.

In his welcoming remarks, QU associate V-P for Research and Strategic Initiatives Dr Bhanu Chowdhary said the workshop was a unique opportunity for Qatar University to lead research on dugong habitat and conservation in co-operation with EMRQ and TAMUG.

“The expertise and excellent facilities and resources available at QU through the Environmental Studies Centre and other departments and research units in various colleges, along with various national and regional partners, will allow the research partners to successfully tackle key issues related to conservation of this indigenous species,” he said.

Chowdhary added that he looked forward to the follow-up of the meeting, which should advance the journey towards preservation and enhancement of the species.

He also reaffirmed QU’s commitment to knowledge-sharing and providing expertise for multi-disciplinary research, education and learning, in line with the organisation’s research priorities and in contribution to the objectives of Qatar National Vision 2030, National Research Strategy and other national development strategies.

“We are extremely pleased to be working with Qatar University and Texas A&M University at Galveston to conduct research on Qatar’s dugong population. The dugong species is a fascinating one, and we are committed to understanding more about it, while ensuring that it is protected and continues to thrive in its natural habitat,” said Dr Jennifer Dupont, EMRQ research director.

TAMUG Department of Marine Biology assistant professor Dr Christopher D Marshall, who provided the background on the biology of dugongs and the unique habitat of Qatar, described Qatari and Arabian Gulf dugongs as likely “the most important population in the western part of the dugongs’ distribution”.