A green sea turtle that lost a flipper when it became caught in marine debris, at the Khor Kalba Conservation Reserve in Kalba, on the UAE's east coast. All photos: AP Photo
A green sea turtle that lost a flipper when it became caught in marine debris, at the Khor Kalba Conservation Reserve in Kalba, on the UAE's east coast. All photos: AP Photo
Three quarters of green turtles and more than half of loggerhead turtles found dead in Sharjah had eaten marine debris, including plastic bags, bottle caps, rope and fishing nets, says a study published in the 'Marine Pollution Bulletin'.
Three quarters of green turtles and more than half of loggerhead turtles found dead in Sharjah had eaten marine debris, including plastic bags, bottle caps, rope and fishing nets, says a study published in the 'Marine Pollution Bulletin'.
Plastic discovered in an autopsy on a dead turtle. The study documents the damage caused by a surge in discarded plastic and other debris in the world's seas.
Plastic discovered in an autopsy on a dead turtle. The study documents the damage caused by a surge in discarded plastic and other debris in the world's seas.
No plastic was found in the bodies of turtles in the only previous Gulf of Oman study, in 1985. 'When the majority of sea turtles have plastics in their bodies, you know you have a significant problem,' said Fadi Yaghmour, a marine expert who carried out the study.
No plastic was found in the bodies of turtles in the only previous Gulf of Oman study, in 1985. 'When the majority of sea turtles have plastics in their bodies, you know you have a significant problem,' said Fadi Yaghmour, a marine expert who carried out the study.
Debris found inside dead turtles in Sharjah. One turtle had 325 shards, another 32 pieces of fishing net. They can cause blockages that prevent the animals from eating.
Debris found inside dead turtles in Sharjah. One turtle had 325 shards, another 32 pieces of fishing net. They can cause blockages that prevent the animals from eating.
The study found that green sea turtles were inclined to eat drifting plastic bags and ropes, which resemble their diet of cuttlefish and jellyfish. Loggerheads ate bottle caps and other small pieces of hard plastic mistaken for marine invertebrates. The youngest turtles ate the most plastic.
The study found that green sea turtles were inclined to eat drifting plastic bags and ropes, which resemble their diet of cuttlefish and jellyfish. Loggerheads ate bottle caps and other small pieces of hard plastic mistaken for marine invertebrates. The youngest turtles ate the most plastic.
Conservationists in the UAE are seeking to protect the country’s turtles from the threats. Community officers respond to reports of turtles in distress and rescue the reptiles for rehabilitation. 'If we lose these turtles, the ecosystem will die,' said Abdulkarim Vettan operational manager at Al Qurum Mangrove Centre in Kalba.
Conservationists in the UAE are seeking to protect the country’s turtles from the threats. Community officers respond to reports of turtles in distress and rescue the reptiles for rehabilitation. 'If we lose these turtles, the ecosystem will die,' said Abdulkarim Vettan operational manager at Al Qurum Mangrove Centre in Kalba.

UAE

Environment

Nine in 10 dead turtles had plastic in stomach, Dubai authorities say

Dubai and Abu Dhabi have plans to ban single-use plastic bags

Gillian Duncan
Gillian Duncan

February 13, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

Related: Heartbreaking video shows baby camel chewing plastic in Abu Dhabi desert

The consumption of plastic causes nearly 90 per cent of turtle deaths in the UAE and half of camel fatalities, the government of Dubai has said.

The figures were released as the city prepares to introduce a nominal 25 fils charge on shopping bags.

This is the first step towards phasing out single-use plastics in the next two years. Plastic use is a nationwide and regionwide issue for governments and consumers to tackle.

Our team has observed camels eating plastic
Winston Cowie,
Environment Agency Abu Dhabi

“Single-use plastic ― that is plastic we use once before throwing away — has been entering the environment where it causes harm and is a key threat to biodiversity — globally and locally," said Winston Cowie, section manager for marine policy, regulations and planning, in the Terrestrial and Marine Biodiversity Sector at Environment Agency Abu Dhabi (EAD).

"This includes single-use bottles, bags, coffee cups, straws, and cutlery, among others.”

A study into turtles rehabilitated by EAD, which had washed up on Abu Dhabi's beaches, found that about 80 per cent of the animals had ingested plastics, said Mr Cowie.

"Our team has observed camels eating plastic too," he added.

Trainers take their camels out for daily exercise in Lahbab, Dubai. All photos: Chris Whiteoak / The National
Trainers take their camels out for daily exercise in Lahbab, Dubai. All photos: Chris Whiteoak / The National
Camels wear blankets to keep them warm in the winter months.
Camels wear blankets to keep them warm in the winter months.
Camels train on the race track.
Camels train on the race track.
Trainers lead their camels out into the desert.
Trainers lead their camels out into the desert.
Camels walk past a mosque on their morning exercise circuit.
Camels walk past a mosque on their morning exercise circuit.
Trainers keep a watchful eye on their herd.
Trainers keep a watchful eye on their herd.
Camels train in Dubai's desert.
Camels train in Dubai's desert.
Arabian camels have been domesticated for approximately 3,500 years.
Arabian camels have been domesticated for approximately 3,500 years.
They can travel up to 100 desert miles without water.
They can travel up to 100 desert miles without water.

A video recorded by Mr Cowie last March showed a baby camel eating a blue plastic bag after mistaking it for food.

That followed footage taken by members of an off-road driving club, which showed the carcass of a camel found in the desert, its bones surrounded by plastic from its stomach.

A UAE study showed hundreds of camels had died since 2008 due to the consumption of plastic.

About 10 per cent of the 30,000 studied by Dubai’s Central Veterinary Research Laboratory died due to polybezoars, which are lumps of indigestible material made of plastic, the research showed.

Polybezoars can weigh up to 53kg and include plastic bags, rope and parts of plastic bottles, which accumulate over years when the animals eat the materials after mistaking them for food.

Dubai's 25-fil charge for plastic bags will apply from July 1 in shops, restaurants and pharmacies, as well as deliveries and e-commerce purchases.

It is a step towards a total ban, which will take effect within two years.

The move follows similar steps in Abu Dhabi, where plastic bags could be banned completely the end of the year.

The move had been expected to come into effect in 2020 but was put on hold by Covid-19.

“We are at the final stages of developing the regulations and are in close contact with the private sector,” said Monir Bou Ghanem, senior adviser to the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi, speaking on radio station Dubai Eye.

“Single-use plastic bags are going to be completely banned and replaced by multiple-use bags.”

The Travel Diaries of Albert Einstein The Far East, Palestine, and Spain, 1922 – 1923
Editor Ze’ev Rosenkranz
​​​​​​​Princeton

Moonfall

Director: Rolan Emmerich

Stars: Patrick Wilson, Halle Berry

Rating: 3/5

Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Global state-owned investor ranking by size

1.

United States

2.

China

3.

UAE

4.

Japan

5

Norway

6.

Canada

7.

Singapore

8.

Australia

9.

Saudi Arabia

10.

South Korea
Timeline

1947
Ferrari’s road-car company is formed and its first badged car, the 125 S, rolls off the assembly line

1962
250 GTO is unveiled

1969
Fiat becomes a Ferrari shareholder, acquiring 50 per cent of the company

1972
The Fiorano circuit, Ferrari’s racetrack for development and testing, opens

1976
First automatic Ferrari, the 400 Automatic, is made

1987
F40 launched

1988
Enzo Ferrari dies; Fiat expands its stake in the company to 90 per cent

2002
The Enzo model is announced

2010
Ferrari World opens in Abu Dhabi

2011
First four-wheel drive Ferrari, the FF, is unveiled

2013
LaFerrari, the first Ferrari hybrid, arrives

2014
Fiat Chrysler announces the split of Ferrari from the parent company

2015
Ferrari launches on Wall Street

2017
812 Superfast unveiled; Ferrari celebrates its 70th anniversary

While you're here
While you're here
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Profile

Company: Justmop.com

Date started: December 2015

Founders: Kerem Kuyucu and Cagatay Ozcan

Sector: Technology and home services

Based: Jumeirah Lake Towers, Dubai

Size: 55 employees and 100,000 cleaning requests a month

Funding:  The company’s investors include Collective Spark, Faith Capital Holding, Oak Capital, VentureFriends, and 500 Startups. 

While you're here
While you're here
While you're here
Subscribe to Beyond the Headlines
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs

Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12

Power: 819hp

Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm

Price: From Dh1,700,000

Available: Now

If you go

The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Seattle from Dh5,555 return, including taxes.


The car
Hertz offers compact car rental from about $300 (Dh1,100) per week, including taxes. Emirates Skywards members can earn points on their car hire through Hertz.


The national park
Entry to Mount Rainier National Park costs $30 for one vehicle and passengers for up to seven days. Accommodation can be booked through mtrainierguestservices.com. Prices vary according to season. Rooms at the Holiday Inn Yakima cost from $125 per night, excluding breakfast.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Our legal columnist

Name: Yousef Al Bahar

Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994

Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers

Company%20Profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Raha%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202022%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Kuwait%2FSaudi%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Tech%20Logistics%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%2414%20million%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Soor%20Capital%2C%20eWTP%20Arabia%20Capital%2C%20Aujan%20Enterprises%2C%20Nox%20Management%2C%20Cedar%20Mundi%20Ventures%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20166%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Thor%3A%20Love%20and%20Thunder%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Taika%20Waititi%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Chris%20Hemsworth%2C%20Natalie%20Portman%2C%20Christian%20Bale%2C%20Russell%20Crowe%2C%20Tessa%20Thompson%2C%20Taika%20Waititi%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Updated: February 13, 2022, 1:29 PM`