A baby Arabian carpet shark is transferred out of a water tank during a conservation project at the fish quarantine facilities of Atlantis, The Palm in Dubai. AP
A baby Arabian carpet shark is transferred out of a water tank during a conservation project at the fish quarantine facilities of Atlantis, The Palm in Dubai. AP
A stingray is taken from a water tank as part of a conservation project by Atlantis, The Palm at the Jebel Ali Wildlife Sanctuary in Dubai. A team of conservationists are releasing baby sharks bred in aquariums into the open sea in an effort to protect native marine species in the Arabian Gulf. AP
A stingray is taken from a water tank as part of a conservation project by Atlantis, The Palm at the Jebel Ali Wildlife Sanctuary in Dubai. A team of conservationists are releasing baby sharks bred in aquariums into the open sea in an effort to protect native marine species in the Arabian Gulf. AP
An employee catches a baby Arabian carpet shark as part of a conservation project in Dubai. Conservationists are releasing baby sharks bred in an aquarium into the open sea as part of an effort to protect native marine species in the Arabian Gulf. AP
An employee catches a baby Arabian carpet shark as part of a conservation project in Dubai. Conservationists are releasing baby sharks bred in an aquarium into the open sea as part of an effort to protect native marine species in the Arabian Gulf. AP
A carpet shark swims away after being released into Arabian Gulf waters at the Jebel Ali Wildlife Sanctuary in Dubai. AP
A carpet shark swims away after being released into Arabian Gulf waters at the Jebel Ali Wildlife Sanctuary in Dubai. AP
An Arabian carpet shark's egg at Atlantis, The Palm in Dubai. Conservationists are releasing baby sharks bred in an aquarium into the open sea as part of an effort to protect native marine species in the Arabian Gulf. AP
An Arabian carpet shark's egg at Atlantis, The Palm in Dubai. Conservationists are releasing baby sharks bred in an aquarium into the open sea as part of an effort to protect native marine species in the Arabian Gulf. AP
A carpet shark swims away after being released into Arabian Gulf waters at the Jebel Ali Wildlife Sanctuary in Dubai. Conservationists are releasing baby sharks bred in an aquarium into the open sea as part of an effort to protect native marine species in the Arabian Gulf. AP
A carpet shark swims away after being released into Arabian Gulf waters at the Jebel Ali Wildlife Sanctuary in Dubai. Conservationists are releasing baby sharks bred in an aquarium into the open sea as part of an effort to protect native marine species in the Arabian Gulf. AP
A baby Arabian carpet shark is transferred to Arabian Gulf waters in Dubai. AP
A baby Arabian carpet shark is transferred to Arabian Gulf waters in Dubai. AP
Arabian carpet sharks' eggs are being hatched at the fish quarantine facilities of Atlantis, The Palm in Dubai. Conservationists are releasing baby sharks bred in an aquarium into the open sea as part of an effort to protect native marine species in the Arabian Gulf. AP
Arabian carpet sharks' eggs are being hatched at the fish quarantine facilities of Atlantis, The Palm in Dubai. Conservationists are releasing baby sharks bred in an aquarium into the open sea as part of an effort to protect native marine species in the Arabian Gulf. AP
A baby Arabian carpet shark is transferred to Arabian Gulf waters in Dubai. AP
A baby Arabian carpet shark is transferred to Arabian Gulf waters in Dubai. AP
A stingray is carried to the Arabian Gulf waters as part of a conservation project in Dubai. AP
A stingray is carried to the Arabian Gulf waters as part of a conservation project in Dubai. AP
A baby Arabian carpet shark is measured as part of a conservation project at the fish quarantine facilities of Atlantis, The Palm in Dubai. Conservationists are releasing baby sharks bred in aquariums into the open sea as part of an effort to help native marine species in the Arabian Gulf. AP
A baby Arabian carpet shark is measured as part of a conservation project at the fish quarantine facilities of Atlantis, The Palm in Dubai. Conservationists are releasing baby sharks bred in aquariums into the open sea as part of an effort to help native marine species in the Arabian Gulf. AP

Environment

Dubai-bred shark pups released in Arabian Gulf in conservation programme

Endangered carpet sharks released to boost local populations in protected marine areas of Jebel Ali and Ghantoot

Nick Webster
Nick Webster

April 26, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

Endangered sharks released into the Arabian Gulf will boost vulnerable populations in a marine protected area near Dubai.

A two-year shark and ray breeding programme at Atlantis, The Palm led to the successful births of spotted eagle rays, honeycomb rays, Arabian carpet sharks, cowtail rays and porcupine rays.

The sharks are small and pose no threat to people but face extinction because of habitat destruction and overfishing around the world.

With animal welfare as our top priority, we will continue to work with local authorities on shark and ray breeding and release programmes

Juvenile sharks were released into protected areas around Jebel Ali and a 2,000-hectare wetland area near Ghantoot.

The Ghantoot Marine Reserve is a coastal and marine area comprising coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass beds and sandy beaches. The Jebel Ali Wetland Sanctuary was recently added to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance.

The sharks were born at Atlantis, The Palm and cared for by a special aquarist team to maintain their habitat, and prepare and distribute their feed until they are about 8-10 months old.

The sharks are fed on a diet close to what they would find in the wild – squid, molluscs and crustaceans – and are commonly found sheltering inside caves and crevices.

During International Shark Week, biodiversity workshops are run by fisheries experts from the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, the International Fund for Animal Welfare, Atlantis The Palm, and Environment Agency Abu Dhabi.

“At Atlantis Dubai, we are committed to working together towards a common goal in order to advance all efforts to protect sharks in the UAE,” said Kelly Timmins, director of conservation, education, and CSR at Atlantis, The Palm.

“With animal welfare as our top priority, we will continue to work with local authorities on shark and ray breeding and release programmes.”

A baby Arabian carpet shark is taken to Arabian Gulf waters in Dubai. AP
A baby Arabian carpet shark is taken to Arabian Gulf waters in Dubai. AP

Public events aimed at ministry-licensed fishermen and recreational fishermen were run to educate them about the international conventions protecting sharks, facts about sharks and shark-related legislation in the UAE.

The events revealed global trends in the shark-fin trade, identification of protected sharks listed in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species and UAE legislation, and the safe handling and release of sharks and rays.

Read More

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Dubai’s Jebel Ali recognised as a wetland of global importance

According to the last scientific assessment conducted by the 2017 International Union for Conservation of Nature's red list of threatened species, carpet sharks are classified as near threatened, with a declining population trend.

They are likely to qualify for the threatened category in the near future.

Analysts said of the 470 species of sharks, 2.4 per cent are critically endangered, 3.2 per cent are endangered, 10.3 per cent are vulnerable and 14.4 per cent are near threatened.

In recent decades, shark populations decreased by up to 90 per cent as a result of human interventions that kill them directly and indirectly through overfishing or pollution.

SPECS
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Also on December 7 to 9, the third edition of the Gulf Car Festival (www.gulfcarfestival.com) will take over Dubai Festival City Mall, a new venue for the event. Last year's festival brought together about 900 cars worth more than Dh300 million from across the Emirates and wider Gulf region – and that first figure is set to swell by several hundred this time around, with between 1,000 and 1,200 cars expected. The first day is themed around American muscle; the second centres on supercars, exotics, European cars and classics; and the final day will major in JDM (Japanese domestic market) cars, tuned vehicles and trucks. Individuals and car clubs can register their vehicles, although the festival isn’t all static displays, with stunt drifting, a rev battle, car pulls and a burnout competition.

What can victims do?

Always use only regulated platforms

Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion

Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)

Report to local authorities

Warn others to prevent further harm

Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence

Terminator: Dark Fate

Director: Tim Miller

Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Mackenzie Davis 

Rating: 3/5

THE SPECS

Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine 

Power: 420kW

Torque: 780Nm

Transmission: 8-speed automatic

Price: From Dh1,350,000

On sale: Available for preorder now

Book%20Details
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What the law says

Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.

“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.

“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”

If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.

RESULTS
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Company%C2%A0profile
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Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction

Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.

Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.

Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.

Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.

Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.

What are the guidelines?

Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.

Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.

Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.

Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.

Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.

Source: American Paediatric Association
The candidates

Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive

Ali Azeem, business leader

Tony Booth, professor of education

Lord Browne, former BP chief executive

Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist

Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist

Dr Mark Mann, scientist

Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner

Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister

Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster

 

THE CLOWN OF GAZA

Director: Abdulrahman Sabbah 

Starring: Alaa Meqdad

Rating: 4/5

Hurricanes 31-31 Lions

Wellington Hurricanes: 
Tries: Gibbins, Laumape, Goosen, Fifita tries, Barrett
Conversions: Barrett (4)
Penalties: Barrett

British & Irish Lions:
Tries: Seymour (2), North
Conversions: Biggar (2)
Penalties: Biggar (4)

UAEEnvironment