Sharjah: The Environment and Protected Areas Authority in Sharjah (EPAA), in association with the American University of Sharjah and Zayed University, has announced the completion of a scientific study analyzing heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants in the tissues of seven dead whales. This study is thought to be the first of its kind in the Middle East.
Commenting on the study, Hana Saif Al Suwaidi, EPAA Chairperson, said that the study falls within the Sharjah Strandings Response Programme and was overseen by the Scientific Research Department and the Breeding Centre for Endangered Arabian Wildlife team of the EPAA, along with a research team consisting of eight researchers and experts in marine life.
The Chairperson also mentioned that the EPAA has published the study’s results in the Regional Studies in Marine Science Journal, which is issued in the Netherlands. The study was applied to seven dead Whales found along the coasts of Sharjah, Dubai, Umm Al Quwain, and Khorfakkan city, comprising five Bryde’s Whales, one Blue Whale, and one Humpback Whale.
Al Suwaidi added that through the tissue analysis of these whales in terms of persistent organic pollutants and heavy metals, the research team identified several causes leading to the deaths of whales. Most notable were collisions with ships and large vessels and entanglement with fishing gear, particularly the sturdy ropes in which whales become ensnared, leading to parts of their bodies being severed, such as tails and fins.
The plastic debris that clogs the ocean’s depths also affects these whales because they ingest the bags and empty containers along with their food, which clogs their digestive systems and ultimately kills them.
The EPAA Chairperson provided information on the Sharjah Strandings Response Program, stating that it carries out scientific research on the different samples taken from these animals and executes a sophisticated strategy for inquiry and response to the stranding of reptiles, mammals, and seabirds. It seeks to increase our understanding of the biodiversity of the environment and the different dangers that affect marine life and its ecosystems.
Furthermore, the program is regarded as a crucial instrument for prompt reaction, saving impacted animals in need of medical attention and follow-up. She mentioned that there are other courses within the curriculum, such as environmental awareness, research, surveying, and marine life rescue.