A herd of 700 sea cows belonging to a threatened species were recorded in a study of Bahrain’s territorial waters, the second largest population in the world.
According to a statement by the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (Baca), the creatures could contribute to Bahrain’s economy by becoming an eco-tourist attraction.
The herbivorous marine mammal, known as the dugong, calls the area between mainland Bahrain and Hawar Islands its home, and was observed for the first time in 1986 north of Hawar.
Dugongs were the subject of a recent study by the Arab Regional Centre for World Heritage to measure the size of the sea cow population, in collaboration with the Supreme Council for the Environment and the Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Ministry.
A specialised Bahraini research team supervised by marine biologist Dr Abdulqader Khamis have been regularly surveying the area for the last three years, supported by international experts.
The scientists used air, marine and satellite surveying methods to find out more about the vulnerable animal. It is the only living representative of the once-diverse family Dugongidae; its closest modern relative, Steller’s sea cow, was hunted to extinction in the 18th century.
They also studied the status of seagrass and seaweed that dugongs rely on as their primary source of food.
“Sea cows are a natural treasure,” said Baca president Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa. “The survey is part of our efforts to bring Bahrain’s ecological and archaeological heritage to light and introduce future generations to its ecological diversity,” she added.
“The next phase of the project will be a thorough investigation of the effects of human activity on the dugong population and how we can protect the species and ensure its sustainable conservation.”
Shaikha Mai added that conserving the dugongs could help grow Bahrain’s ecological tourism industry, adding that their habitat could become a destination for people who want to witness the majestic sea cow with their own eyes.
“Guidelines are now being set by experts and marine biologists to make sure that the mammals are not harmed in any way if they were to become potential tourist attractions.”
The dugong has been classified as a ‘vulnerable’ species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and placed on the Red List of Threatened Species.
Dugongs live in the warm waters of the Indian and Pacific oceans. After Australia, the Arabian Gulf hosts the biggest population of the vulnerable animal.
The 700-strong school of dugongs is especially exceptional because dugongs are usually solitary mammals and only congregate in herds of hundreds in rare occasions.
Dugongs are now legally protected throughout their range, but their populations are still in a tenuous state. Some believe that dugongs were the inspiration for ancient seafaring tales of mermaids and sirens.
zainab@gdn.com.bh
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