The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) today announced its official support for Bu Tinah Shoals (Islands) as a candidate for the New 7 Wonders of Nature Campaign, organized by the New7Wonders Foundation.
The Bu Tinah Shoals, part of the Marawah Marine Biosphere Reserve, was among 261 nominees. 224 different countries submitted nominations within the first few months of the campaign. Bu Tinah is now in the second stage of the competition and is among the 77 shortlisted sites. The final declaration of the New7Wonders of Nature will be in 2011.
“We strongly support Bu Tinah as a worthy candidate for the New 7 Wonders of Nature. It has critical marine habitats and is a haven for biodiversity in this arid climate. The shoal is a UNESCO Marine Biosphere Reserve that is well managed ensuring that the status of the habitats and supporting species remain healthy with negligible impact from human activities,” Thabit Al Abdessalaam, Director of Biodiversity Management – Marine Environment Sector at EAD.
“We urge the public to vote for Bu Tinah Shoals at www.new7wonders.com,” added Al Abdessalaam.
Located approximately 130km west of Abu Dhabi, Bu Tinah is part of the Marawah Marine Biosphere Reserve, which was the first marine biosphere reserve in the region to be recognized by UNESCO. It is a horse-shoe shaped island which boasts rich marine and terrestrial ecosystems worthy of global recognition.
The coral reefs of Bu Tinah continue to thrive despite extreme temperature and salinity stress. Their survival has given researchers insight into coral reef survival elsewhere in the world in the face of global warming.
Moreover, the sheltered side of the island regularly undergoes tidal inundation which allows for healthy mangrove stands with heights averaging 5 meters.
A large number of foraging green and critically endangered hawksbill sea turtles have been recorded there. Dugongs, considered threatened under the IUCN redlist, have been observed among its seagrass meadows. An estimated 650 individual dugongs have been spotted in the summer, while 835 individuals have been spotted in the winter. Little human activity in the area has allowed for a natural sanctuary for the dugongs.
The waters surrounding Bu Tinah are also home to dolphin populations, including Indo-pacific humpback, bottlenose and common dolphins.
Several migratory birds use the island as a stopover to rest and forage during their migration route from central Asia to Africa. 4-5 active osprey nests have been regularly recorded on the island during successive breeding seasons. The island also hosts a small population of White-cheeked terns and globally threatened Socotra Cormorants.
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