63 Hawksbill turtle nests spotted

Imran Mojib, Special Correspondent

The Sir Bu Nair Marine Research Centre of Environment and Protected Areas Authority in Sharjah have spotted 63 Hawksbill Turtles Nests that reportedly arrived at the site on March 12 and are expected to lay their eggs by the end of the month of May.

Hana Saif Al Suwaidi, Chairperson of the Environment and Protected Areas Authority, said that the Authority has undertaken several initiatives and programmes that have received local and international approval, after these species of turtles were threatened to be extinct. Some of the factors that pose a threat to them include capturing their eggs for sale, trading their meat or certain geographical reasons including environmental pollution or climate change.

Al Suwaidi said, “The Emirate of Sharjah has always been a pioneer in providing protection for endangered animals, particularly as the Hawksbill Turtles are listed as critically endangered under the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Threatened species.”

She added that the authority’s efforts in preserving the series of hawksbill turtles began nearly ten years ago, including conducting research and studies focusing on their lifestyle, behaviours and nutrition. In 2016, the authority monitored a group of turtles documenting all information and data based on their study.

The nesting sites of these turtles are far from human settlements as they thrive on soft sandy terrains. Therefore, Sir Bu Nair Island provides an excellent environment for reproduction and living, especially since the island is considered one of the most significant reserves for wildlife, water, animals and plants in the Gulf and around the world.

These turtles were distinguished due to their falcon like beak, with a pointed and sharp edge, with orange, yellow or red spots.

A  Hawksbill Turtle lays about 90 to 110 eggs in the nest, and produces between two to seven nests per season, with the hatching process taking between 50 to 70 days.

Sir Bu Nair Island Reserve is internationally acclaimed, and included in the International Convention on Wetlands “Ramsar”, because of its diverse offerings. The Reserve is also listed on UNESCO’s preliminary listing of World Heritage sites, and has signed a memorandum of understanding on the protection and management of marine turtles in the Indian Ocean and Southeast Asia.