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Information Sheet on Ramsar Wetlands (RIS) – 2009-2014 Version

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Information Sheet on Ramsar Wetlands (RIS) – 2009-2014 Version Information Sheet on Ramsar Wetlands (RIS) – 2009-2014 version Available for download from http://www.ramsar.org/ris/key_ris_index.htm. Categories approved by Recommendation 4.7 (1990), as amended by Resolution VIII.13 of the 8th Conference of the Contracting Parties (2002) and Resolutions IX.1 Annex B, IX.6, IX.21 and IX. 22 of the 9th Conference of the Contracting Parties (2005). Notes for compilers: 1. The RIS should be completed in accordance with the attached Explanatory Notes and Guidelines for completing the Information Sheet on Ramsar Wetlands. Compilers are strongly advised to read this guidance before filling in the RIS. 2. Further information and guidance in support of Ramsar site designations are provided in the Strategic Framework and guidelines for the future development of the List of Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Wise Use Handbook 14, 3rd edition). A 4th edition of the Handbook is in preparation and will be available in 2009. 3. Once completed, the RIS (and accompanying map(s)) should be submitted to the Ramsar Secretariat. Compilers should provide an electronic (MS Word) copy of the RIS and, where possible, digital copies of all maps. 1. Name and address of the compiler of this form: Zina Abdullah FOR OFFICE USE ONLY. DD MM YY EPAA Chairman Office 0 1 1 2 1 9 1 Sharjah - UAE 2 2 3 Phone: 0097165311501 Fax: 0097165311419 Designation date Site Reference Number Mobile: 0097504688524 e-mail: [email protected] 2. Date this sheet was completed/updated: 1st September, 2013 3. Country: United Arab Emirates, (UAE) 4. Name of the Ramsar site: The precise name of the designated site in one of the three official languages (English, French or Spanish) of the Convention. Alternative names, including in local language(s), should be given in parentheses after the precise name. Sir Bu Nair Island Protected Area ﻣﺤﻤﻴﺔ ﺟﺰﻳﺮة ﺻﻴﺮ ﺑﻮ ﻧﻌﻴﺮ اﻟﻄﺒﻴﻌﻴﺔ 5. Designation of new Ramsar site or update of existing site: This RIS is for (tick one box only): a) Designation of a new Ramsar site or b) Updated information on an existing Ramsar site 6. For RIS updates only, changes to the site since its designation or earlier update: Information Sheet on Ramsar Wetlands (RIS), page 2 a) Site boundary and area The Ramsar site boundary and site area are unchanged: or If the site boundary has changed: i) the boundary has been delineated more accurately ; or ii) the boundary has been extended ; or iii) the boundary has been restricted** and/or If the site area has changed: i) the area has been measured more accurately ; or ii) the area has been extended ; or iii) the area has been reduced** ** Important note: If the boundary and/or area of the designated site is being restricted/reduced, the Contracting Party should have followed the procedures established by the Conference of the Parties in the Annex to COP9 Resolution IX.6 and provided a report in line with paragraph 28 of that Annex, prior to the submission of an updated RIS. b) Describe briefly any major changes to the ecological character of the Ramsar site, including in the application of the Criteria, since the previous RIS for the site: 7. Map of site: Refer to Annex III of the Explanatory Note and Guidelines, for detailed guidance on provision of suitable maps, including digital maps. a) A map of the site, with clearly delineated boundaries, is included as: i) a hard copy (required for inclusion of site in the Ramsar List): ; ii) an electronic format (e.g. a JPEG or Arc View image); iii) a GIS file providing geo-referenced site boundary vectors and attribute tables q. b) Describe briefly the type of boundary delineation applied: e.g. the boundary is the same as an existing protected area (nature reserve, national park, etc.), or follows a catchment boundary, or follows a geopolitical boundary such as a local government jurisdiction, follows physical boundaries such as roads, follows the shoreline of a waterbody, etc. Sir Bu Nair Island is located south of the Gulf, with a total area of 13.2 square kilometers. The Gulf waters surrounding the island for a distance of 1,500 meters are also protected. North of the island lies the coast of Iran, east and south of the island lies the coast of the United Arab Emirates, and west of the island lies the coasts of the United Arab Emirates and Qatar. 8. Geographical coordinates (latitude/longitude, in degrees and minutes): Provide the coordinates of the approximate centre of the site and/or the limits of the site. If the site is composed of more than one separate area, provide coordinates for each of these areas. 25°13'55"N, 54°13'09"E Information Sheet on Ramsar Wetlands (RIS), page 3 9. General location: Include in which part of the country and which large administrative region(s) the site lies and the location of the nearest large town. Sir Bu Nair is located in the south of the Gulf. It is 110 kilometres west of Sharjah and 65 kilometres from the north coast of Abu Dhabi. Although the site is closer to Abu Dhabi, the island belongs to Sharjah who must approve any visits through its Environment and Protected Areas Authority. 10. Elevation: (in metres: average and/or maximum & minimum) Maximum elevation of land is 66 m above sea level 11. Area: (in hectares) Total 4964 hectares (1333 hectares terrestrial and 3631hectares marine) 12. General overview of the site: Provide a short paragraph giving a summary description of the principal ecological characteristics and importance of the wetland. Sir Bu Nair is known to be of high ecological significance for both marine and terrestrial ecosystems. This small, rocky offshore island, surrounded by extensive and healthy coral reefs, is a salt dome, formed by the upward movement of buoyant and less evaporitic material (salt) into denser, overlaying rock as a result of regional tectonic activity. As a result, subsoil of the island is rich in minerals such as iron oxide and sulfur, which has been heavily exploited in the past. A total of 40 species of coral were identified within the site; six of which were discovered in 2010 (Psammocora obtuseangulata, Favites spinosa, Favites cf acuticollis, Favia cf matthaii , Pavona descussata, Turbunaria mesenterina) and three in 2011, namely Goniopora somaliensis, Acropora muricata and one that has not been identified yet. G. somaliensis is the first species belonging to the genus Gonipora recorded from the southern Gulf. A total number of 76 fish species were also recorded during the field surveys conducted during 2010-2011. The Redcoat squirrelfish (Sargocentron rubrum), previously unrecorded in the Gulf, was found here as well. This large number of species with some uncommon species indicates a high level of biodiversity compared to the other locations in the southeastern Gulf. Sir Bu Nair's marine life is just one of its natural treasures. Colonies of birds, such as the Sooty gull (Larus hemprichii) and the Bridled tern (Onychoprion anaethetus) nest and live on the island alongside gazelles (Gazella gazelle cora) and hedgehogs (Hemiechinus aethiopicus) The sandy beaches of the island are an important nesting site for the critically endangered Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata). Historically, several sea-birds of conservation importance have been recorded nesting at Sir Bu Nair, including the Lesser crested tern (Sterna bengalensis), Great crested tern (Sterna bergi), Red- billed tropicbird (Phaethon aethereus) and Socotra cormorant (Phalacrocorax nigrogularis), but none of these birds have been recorded in recent years and none were found breeding during 2010 or 2011. Socotra cormorant was last recorded breeding in 1987. 13. Ramsar Criteria: Tick the box under each Criterion applied to the designation of the Ramsar site. See Annex II of the Explanatory Notes and Guidelines for the Criteria and guidelines for their application (adopted by Resolution VII.11). All Criteria which apply should be ticked. Information Sheet on Ramsar Wetlands (RIS), page 4 1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • 7 8 • 9 14. Justification for the application of each Criterion listed in 13 above: Provide justification for each Criterion in turn, clearly identifying to which Criterion the justification applies (see Annex II for guidance on acceptable forms of justification). Criteria 2 Sir Bu Nair is the most important nesting site for the endangered Hawksbills turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) in the Western Indo-Pacific- Arabian Gulf bioecoregion, as well as in the UAE. A total number of 324 Hawksbill turtle nests were recorded on the island in 2010 and 376 in 2011. In addition, two Green turtle (Chelonia mydas) nests were recorded in 2010, providing the first contemporary evidence of Green turtle nesting in the region. Of the 40 coral species found within the site, 7 have been identified as vulnerable species under the IUCN red list. Coral Species IUCN CITES Acropora pharaonis VU II Anomastraea irregularis VU II Favites spinosa VU II Pavona decussata VU II Turbinaria mesenterina VU II Turbinaria peltata VU II Turbinaria reniformis VU II Reptiles IUCN CITES CMS Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas) EN I I/II Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) CR I I/II Lepten’s Spiny Tail Lizard (Uromastyx aegyptia) VU II Criteria 3 The island represents one of the sites in the Western Indo-Pacific- Arabian Gulf ecoregion with a high diversity of endemic coral, reef fish and bird species (Onychoprion anaethetus, Larus hemprichii, Pandion haliaetus) . A total of 40 species of coral and 76 species of reef fishes have been recorded at Sir Bu Nair. Given that only a small number of surveys and fishing events have been conducted, this is an area of high biodiversity value compared with other locations in the southeastern Gulf.
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