ENHG Joint Event: Global dugong and seagrass conservation efforts: from grassroots to governments

Global dugong and seagrass conservation efforts: from grassroots to governments
Event given by:  A panel of international and UAE dugong and seagrass experts and conservation practitioners.

Date: Tuesday 14th March 2017

TIME: 07:00 PM – 08:30 PM

VENUE:  Onyx Ballroom 3, Dusit Thani Hotel, Abu Dhabi

About the Event: Join us for a panel discussion to get an intriguing glimpse on the conservation measures being undertaken on a global level to protect dugongs and seagrass. Dugongs are fascinating marine mammals and play a significant ecological role by converting marine plants into nutrients. Seagrasses are important to the marine ecosystem as they provide a number of important ecosystem services including securing the dietary needs of coastal communities. Recognizing their importance, the Convention on Migratory Species’ (CMS) Dugong MOU promotes coordinated conservation efforts for dugongs and their seagrass habitats as dugongs are the world’s only vegetarian marine mammal dependent on seagrasses for food.

 The Arabian Gulf and the Red sea host the world's second largest population of dugongs outside Australia. In the UAE, dugongs are primarily found in Abu Dhabi, making Abu Dhabi a significant location for dugong conservation. The UAE is a host to CMS Office- Abu Dhabi and the Secretariat of the Dugong MOU that runs series of programmes to safeguard dugongs from extinction. ENHG along with the Dugong MOU Secretariat will host panelists and experts discussing the global importance of seagrass and why they should be on the conservation agenda.