The Environment and Protected Areas Authority in Sharjah (EPAA)has begun implementing a system to monitor environmental systems, meteorology, and marine factors for Sir Bu Nair Island, which is aimed at building a long-term database to track climate and environmental changes. The database will contribute to future plans for managing Sir Bu Nair Island.

Important step

Her Excellency Hana Saif Al Suwaidi, Chairperson of the Environment and Protected Areas Authority, said, “This system is an important step in the authority’s strategy and long-term planning, due to the information and data it can provide. This is in addition to the benefits the system offers such as storing data, from marine surveys, pictures, films, aerial photos, to satellite images and detailed reports. An added benefit is the system’s sending of warnings for any of the aforementioned factors, in the event that they reach critical degrees.”

Her Excellencyconfirmedthat the various projects and tasks that the EPAA is working to implement are based on the vision and directives of His Highness Sheikh DrSultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council, Ruler of Sharjah. These fall in line with His Highness’ view of protecting and preserving the environment and biodiversity.

Meteorological and marine factors

The system consists of a permanent monitoring station for meteorological and marine factors (on the sea floor). Weather factors which are monitored include air temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, amount of rain, solar radiation, while marine factors include water temperature, salinity, turbidity, pH, crofil percentage, and blue-green algae. She continued by highlighting that the factors would be measured and recorded every sixty minutes, and then sent directly to the authority’s headquarters in Sharjah.

Sir Bu Nair Island

Sir Bu Nair Island is located 110 kilometres north of Sharjah. It is also distinguished by its sandy beaches and clear waters, which give way to thriving coral life.

In accordance with the Emiri Decree No. (25) issued by His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, regarding the establishment of a nature reserve on the island of Sir Bu Nair, the island holds international importance. The reserve was included in the International Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar), in order to preserve its environmental components rich in biodiversity, and it was also included in the UNESCO preliminary list of World Heritage sites.