The distribution, abundance and group dynamics of Indian Ocean humpback dolphins (Sousa plumbea) in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (UAE)

What is it about?

A scientific study reveals a surprisingly large population Of Rare and globally Endangered Dolphins in Abu Dhabi waters (UAE). Scientists have discovered the largest population of Indian Ocean humpback dolphins (Sousa plumbea) in the world along Abu Dhabi waters, but they warn that the population is threatened by habitat destruction, heavy maritime traffic, and fishing nets. Rigorous scientific techniques as the mark-recapture method of photo-identification, undertaken during 6700 km of boat based surveys conducted between 2014 and 2015, and abundance estimate models were used. Researchers estimate that nearly 700 humpback dolphins, are living in coastal and open relatively sheltered Abu Dhabi waters. This estimate represents the largest know population for Sousa plumbea in the world. This study also reports that the limited coastal range and its near-shore distribution make this population particularly vulnerable to mortality and traumatic injuries from habitat destruction, heavy maritime traffic, and gill-neting practices. During the study, researchers encountered that 12% of the humpback dolphins presented body injuries caused by anthropogenic activities.

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Why is it important?

Prior to the present study, no research had focused on the ecology of this rare species in the Arabian Gulf, despite the potential for human impacts in the region. Each discovery of humpback dolphin populations is important because they are getting rarer and rarer in different parts of the world. For successful conservation strategies, it is important to have an understanding of the population size and distribution. To find 700 individuals inhabiting a coastal area it's significanttly higher compared with other populations. Thus, a recent evaluation of the conservation status of this species suggests that Indian Ocean humpback dolphins, listed as vulnerable in the IUCN Red List, should be classified as being Endangered under the IUCN criteria based on continued population declines. The scientists believe that the population extends to coastal waters along other Arabian Emirates and may be considerably greater. Despite finding this extraordinarily important population, this discovery gives us hope for protecting this and other endangered species observed in these highly impacted waters as Indo-pacific bottlenose dolphins and finless porpoises which are also reliant upon the near shore environment, and therefore in need of conservation and management intervention to reduce anthropogenic threats.