DOHA: Human activities such as commercial hunting threaten local dugongs due to the fragile nature of its life cycle and reliance on seaweed habitats, said Dr Eiman Mustafawi, Dean, College of Arts & Sciences at Qatar University (QU).
Dr Mustafawi was speaking at a workshop on the Arabian Gulf Dugong Population held yesterday as part of a collaboration agreement between QU, ExxonMobil Research Qatar and Texas A&M University at Galveston.
Dugongs are large, long-living herbivorous marine mammals that consume sea grasses, can reach lengths of greater than three metres, weigh more than 400kg and live up to 60 years.
Qatar is home to the largest population of dugongs outside Australia. Historically, dugongs have had a cultural and economic importance to Qataris, having been used as an economic and food resource in the Arabian Gulf for more than 7,500 years.
As mammals with a low reproductive output, dugongs are listed as Vulnerable to Extinction by International Union for Conservation of Nature.
In Qatar, unfortunately, they face challenges due to incidental fishing, habitat degradation and other threats.
“The workshop tackles a serious environmental issue in the country and aims to support one of the college’s strategic objectives to empower and engage its students during their college experience by building their academic and practical capabilities to support QU in its endeavour to become a model national university in the region and promote Qatar National Vision 2030,” she said.
The workshop was hosted by the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences at the college. It aimed to share findings and information about the local dugong population, threats to its habitat and future survival.
It also intended to advance dialogue on research being conducted on the dugong population in the Gulf and a preservation plan to address challenges facing the mammal.
“It is rewarding for us as scientists and researchers to study these fascinating creatures so closely.
“We are committed to understanding more about the dugong species, so we can help protect the rare species in its natural habitat, with the support of the General Directorate for Natural Reserves – Private Engineering Office and the Ministry of Environment,” said an official.
“It’s a privilege to work with such strong and committed local partners ExxonMobil Qatar and QU as we study these unique and fascinating animals.
“We all share the same vision – to understand as much as we can about the dugong population in the Gulf and in Qatari coastal waters to ensure they are protected and continue to live unhindered in their natural habitat,” another official said.
The Peninsula
DOHA: Human activities such as commercial hunting threaten local dugongs due to the fragile nature of its life cycle and reliance on seaweed habitats, said Dr Eiman Mustafawi, Dean, College of Arts & Sciences at Qatar University (QU).
Dr Mustafawi was speaking at a workshop on the Arabian Gulf Dugong Population held yesterday as part of a collaboration agreement between QU, ExxonMobil Research Qatar and Texas A&M University at Galveston.
Dugongs are large, long-living herbivorous marine mammals that consume sea grasses, can reach lengths of greater than three metres, weigh more than 400kg and live up to 60 years.
Qatar is home to the largest population of dugongs outside Australia. Historically, dugongs have had a cultural and economic importance to Qataris, having been used as an economic and food resource in the Arabian Gulf for more than 7,500 years.
As mammals with a low reproductive output, dugongs are listed as Vulnerable to Extinction by International Union for Conservation of Nature.
In Qatar, unfortunately, they face challenges due to incidental fishing, habitat degradation and other threats.
“The workshop tackles a serious environmental issue in the country and aims to support one of the college’s strategic objectives to empower and engage its students during their college experience by building their academic and practical capabilities to support QU in its endeavour to become a model national university in the region and promote Qatar National Vision 2030,” she said.
The workshop was hosted by the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences at the college. It aimed to share findings and information about the local dugong population, threats to its habitat and future survival.
It also intended to advance dialogue on research being conducted on the dugong population in the Gulf and a preservation plan to address challenges facing the mammal.
“It is rewarding for us as scientists and researchers to study these fascinating creatures so closely.
“We are committed to understanding more about the dugong species, so we can help protect the rare species in its natural habitat, with the support of the General Directorate for Natural Reserves – Private Engineering Office and the Ministry of Environment,” said an official.
“It’s a privilege to work with such strong and committed local partners ExxonMobil Qatar and QU as we study these unique and fascinating animals.
“We all share the same vision – to understand as much as we can about the dugong population in the Gulf and in Qatari coastal waters to ensure they are protected and continue to live unhindered in their natural habitat,” another official said.
The Peninsula
