DOLPHINS NEVER BEFORE SEEN IN UAE SPOTTED OFF FUJAIRAH COAST
▶ Scientists conduct aerial survey to map distribution of marine mammals, writes Ruba Haza
A team of scientists conducting an aerial survey off the coast Fujairah have found a species never before recorded in the country – the rough-toothed dolphin.
The marine mammals are one of the larger species of dolphins typically found in deep tropical waters and are identified by their conical heads and slender noses.
They were seen about 65 kilometres east of Fujairah Port less than a month ago.
“The discovery of roughtoothed dolphins adds to the list of new records for the country, with striped dolphins and spotted dolphins having been discovered during boat surveys last year,” said Robert Baldwin, a marine scientist and managing director of Five Oceans.
The organisation is working with Al Mayya Sanctuary in co-operation with Fujairah Port to map marine diversity in the east coast emirate.
A helicopter flew systematic aerial survey lines across Fujairah’s offshore water for three days.
The data – which includes population numbers, behaviour and diversity – forms part of the Fujairah Whale and Dolphin Research Project.
“The team encountered groups of marine mammals on 18 separate occasions over the three days of surveys, including several species of dolphins,” Mr Baldwin said.
“The most numerous were active pods of bottlenose dolphins and long-beaked common dolphins, which were mostly seen offshore but were also found in shallower waters closer to shore.”
The rough-toothed dolphins were seen among a pod of bottlenose dolphins.
“We saw 10 or 20 in a mixed group with bottlenose dolphins,” said Andrew Willson, a Five Oceans marine scientist.
“I think they are rarely seen mostly because very few people are looking for them. They tend to live in deep water far from shore.”
Mr Willson said that one of the primary drivers of habitat preference for all of these species was food sources.
“Like other species, they are probably in Fujairah to take advantage of the relatively rich and productive waters here where they find their prey,” he said.
Pods of up to 200 dolphins were recorded during the survey including a Risso’s dolphin, which can weigh between 300 and 500 kilograms.
On Wednesday, the team also found a large group of sperm whales off Dibba.
Sperm whales were last documented off the emirate’s coast more than 20 years ago when solitary males and a pod of females were seen due east of the Port of Fujairah.
The sightings are significant because they can be used to measure the sea’s health.
The stranding of an adult sperm whale in 2012, and more recent video footage shared on social media of juvenile sperm whales off the emirate confirms their continued presence.
The sperm whale is by far the largest of the toothed cetaceans, comparable in size to some of the baleen whales.
Male sperm whales reach more than 16 metres and are considerably larger than females, which average less than 10 metres.
Last June, a sperm whale measuring 20 metres was found dead off the coast of Fujairah but it was too decomposed to identify the cause of death.
Aerial surveys, coupled with other research techniques, allow for an informed estimate of populations and offer the potential for monitoring long-term trends in marine mammals.
“Other methods that the team will be using include vessel-based surveys to collect photographic and acoustic data, including for use in photo-identification studies, as well as the collection of tissue samples for future analysis of DNA to build a genetic profile of the marine mammals of Fujairah,” Mr Baldwin said.
The research project aims to help the team evaluate the scientific status and conservation needs of marine mammals, and their value to tourism. It will also help to educate young people.
“Research projects established in areas where tours exist often provide a good platform to help promote responsible practices within the industry and ultimately provide tourists with a more rewarding, interesting educational experience,” Mr Baldwin said.
The project is being funded by the office of Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah.
The team’s work can be followed on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
The research project aims to evaluate the scientific status and conservation needs of marine mammals