The Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA) in Sharjah has successfully completed the first study of its kind in the Middle East, investigating the ingestion of marine debris, microplastics, and oil residues by seabirds. This scientific achievement, aligned with World Environment Day, highlights Sharjah’s growing role in marine environmental protection and research.
Conducted under the Sharjah Strandings Response Program, the study has been published in the journal Marine Pollution Bulletin, marking a significant contribution to regional and international understanding of environmental threats to seabirds along the coasts of the UAE and the broader region. The research offers critical insight into the invisible dangers posed by marine pollution and emphasizes the urgent need for collective action to safeguard marine biodiversity.
Hana Saif Al Suwaidi, Chairperson of the EPAA, emphasized the study’s significance in addressing environmental challenges. She noted that the project reflects the vision of Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah. Al Suwaidi underscored that the research provides a solid scientific foundation for developing evidence-based conservation policies and building a comprehensive database to monitor long-term environmental trends, particularly the impact of marine waste on seabirds and coastal ecosystems.
Al Suwaidi further highlighted EPAA’s ongoing commitment to specialized research in partnership with both local and international experts. These collaborations are designed to enhance Sharjah’s position as a regional center for environmental and biodiversity studies while advancing public awareness and contributing to the sustainability of marine ecosystems throughout the Middle East. She added that World Environment Day serves not only as a celebration but as a global reminder to reevaluate environmental policies, promote community engagement, and adopt green technologies that protect fragile ecosystems.
The study involved the examination of 478 stranded marine and coastal birds, representing 17 species found deceased along the shores of the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. Results showed that 12.8% of the birds had ingested marine pollutants, with 11.1% having consumed various forms of marine debris, and 1.7% affected by crude oil and tar balls. Among the pollutants, plastic polymers were most commonly found, especially in black-headed gulls, with polyethylene being the most prevalent, followed by glass as another frequently ingested material.
Notably, the findings indicated that juvenile birds of the large white-headed gull species exhibited a higher tendency to ingest waste compared to adults, highlighting their increased vulnerability to marine pollution. A focused analysis on a subsample of 20 birds revealed that microfibers accounted for 77.8% of detected microplastics, pointing to wastewater from laundry as a significant source of contamination. Additionally, the presence of oil balls and fishing hooks was identified as an immediate threat to the survival of affected seabirds.
The Sharjah Strandings Response Program remains a key component of EPAA’s strategic efforts, integrating scientific research, rescue operations, environmental monitoring, and public education. By addressing marine wildlife strandings directly, the program contributes to the preservation of biodiversity, the protection of coastal ecosystems, and the promotion of environmental stewardship across the region. – By MENA Newswire News Desk.