Abu Dhabi Completes Aerial Survey Of Marine Habitat

Abu Dhabi's environment agency has finished an aerial survey of over 8,000 square kilometers of marine habitat. The survey focused on tracking the population, distribution, movement patterns, and seasonal migrations of dugongs and sea turtles while also monitoring dolphins, whales, sharks, rays, and birds. These surveys are effective, systematic tools for observing marine species and detecting environmental changes.

Notably, Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) is the only entity in the Middle East conducting long-term, systematic monitoring of marine species through regular surveys. The survey revealed a significant 30% increase in sea turtle numbers since 2015, with an estimated population of 8,000 in 2024. According to Abu Dhabi Media Office, the survey also recorded sightings of a Bryde’s whale near the Barakah area, hammerhead sharks in the Al Dhafra Region, and various species of sharks, rays and dolphins.