Environement Agency Abu Dhabi and TOTAL partnering for Dugong Conservation

Abu Dhabi, Nov 17, 2011 (WAM) - The Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD) and Total United Arab Emirates (Total UAE) yesterday marked the extension of sponsorship for EAD's Dugong Conservation Programme. Total is sponsoring the program since 1999. The event also simultaneously launched the book "Abu Dhabi: Nature Preserved" published by National Geographic. Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, Secretary General of EAD, said: "A significant proportion of the world's dugongs occur in the Arabian Gulf. About 40 percent of this population occurs in Abu Dhabi waters in the UAE making the UAE, and Abu Dhabi in particular, especially significant in terms of regional and global dugong conservation. She said "Since 1999, thanks to the support of TOTAL, the Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi has conducted detailed studies of the local dugong population. Overall, these studies have helped us to better understand dugong behaviour. The first phase of these studies helped us obtain information about the abundance, distribution and the conservation status of dugongs in the UAE". Jean-Luc Guiziou, Total UAE President spoke in detail on the long relations of Total with the United Arab Emirates, which started in 1939. He further elaborated that Total values developing long term partnership and comprehensive relations with the host communities worldwide. He assured that Total will stand by its commitment to Abu Dhabi. Catherine Ferrant, Managing Director Total Foundation assured that Total Foundation can enhance engagement with EAD for the future of Abu Dhabi. Claude Rives, author of the book "Abu Dhabi: Nature Preserved" informed the audience how he had compiled information and pictures for the book. He had done some research on Abu Dhabi's biodiversity and eco system but a major part of the work in the book would not have been possible without guidance and support of EAD. The book is published in two versions, Arabic/English and French. - Emirates News Agency, WAM