EPAA AND ZAYED UNIVERSITY

RESPONDS TO BRYDE’S WHALE STRANDING IN JEBEL ALI

BY FADI YAGHMOUR – SCIENTIFIC RESEARCHER (EPAA) & ADA NATOLI – UAE DOLPHIN PROJECT INITIATIVE & ZAYED UNIVERSITY

On the 28th of March, a Bryde’s whale measuring 13.8 metres was discovered deceased in the waters of Dubai. Through cross entities and the Emirates collaboration, valuable samples were collected. Although a complete necropsy was not feasible due to logistical limitations, the gathered samples will enable scientists to gain a deeper understanding of the species’ condition and ecology in the area. This knowledge will aid in the preservation of these magnificent marine animals.

Bryde’s whales are a species of baleen whale found in warm, tropical and subtropical waters around the world. They can grow up to 15 metres long. These whales primarily feed on krill, plankton, and small fish, using baleen plates to filter their prey from the water. Although not currently endangered, they face threats from human activities such as entanglement in fishing gear, ship strikes, and ocean pollution. Bryde’s whales play an important role in their ecosystems by maintaining a healthy balance in the food chain and contributing to nutrient recycling.

Thanks to the network of contacts and prompt coordination among private stakeholders, Dr Ada Natoli, Assistant Professor at Zayed University, Founder and Director of the UAE Dolphin Project Initiative, and the Natural Reserves Section of the Environmental Sustainability Department, Dubai Municipality, the body of the whale was safely relocated to an area where samples could be collected. Dr Natoli also immediately connected with the Environment and Protected Areas Authority of Sharjah (EPAA), knowing their expertise in responding to whale strandings and conducting necropsies through their Sharjah Stranding Response Program (SSRP). With permission from both authorities, a team of experts from EPAA, Dubai Municipality, and Zayed University was dispatched to collect biological and morphological samples to determine the species, assess the animal’s condition, and investigate the potential cause of death.

The whale was identified as a female Bryde’s whale 13.8 metres long and weighing 11 tons. It appeared to have no obvious cause of death, such as entanglement in marine debris, but tissue samples are being analysed to gain a better understanding of its condition at the time of death. The samples will be used to investigate the animal’s toxicological parameters, trophic ecology, and genetic profile. The frequency of Bryde’s whales in the Arabian Gulf is unknown, but they can be seen in the area up to Kuwait, Iraq, and the Arabian Sea. There are two recognised sub-species of Bryde’s whales, a larger pelagic form and a smaller more coastal form. In the past, Soviet whalers hunted Bryde’s whales in the Arabian region up to the mid-1960s, killing as many as 849 individuals. Although Bryde’s whales are globally considered of Least Concern, their population trend is unknown (IUCN Red List). In the UAE, the current status and population size of Bryde’s whales is assessed as Data Deficient, making each sighting and sample critical in their conservation efforts.

Whale conservation is crucial for several reasons. First and foremost, whales are a keystone species, meaning that they play an essential role in maintaining the balance of their ecosystems. They contribute to nutrient recycling and regulate the food chain by consuming large quantities of smaller marine organisms.

Additionally, whales are important for ecotourism and generate significant revenue for coastal communities. The conservation of whale populations also has a significant impact on global climate regulation, as whales store carbon in their bodies and in the ocean floor through their waste products. Finally, the protection of whales is vital for the preservation of cultural and historical heritage, as these animals have played an integral role in human history and mythology for centuries.

ABOUT SSRP: Sharjah Strandings Response Program

Through the examination of stranded marine reptiles, marine mammals and sea birds, this programme, led by the Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA), aims to expand the existing knowledge on the biodiversity, ecology and threats of marine fauna in the Emirate of Sharjah, UAE.

This knowledge would support the development of evidence-based conservation action and policy in the region as well as educate the wider public on the importance of conserving species and other emerging issues. Additionally, this programme acts as an important tool for the response and rescue of live strandings.