This project strengthened the participation of local communities in the monitoring and conservation of dugongs around the Hawar Islands, Bahrain.
ARC-WH has appointed local and international experts to survey the dugong population and seagrass distribution, and built the capacity of local fishing communities to monitor and protect dugong and their habitat.
| Project Name | Enhancing the role of local communities in dugong and seagrass conservation |
| Implementing Agency | The Arab Regional Centre for World Heritage (ARC-WH) |
| Project Duration | January 2022 - May 2023 |
| Project Location | Hawar Islands, Kingdom of Bahrain |
| Total Implementation Cost | US$ 75,000 |
| CMS Dugong MOU Contribution | US$ 24,750 |
| Project Partners | Bahrain Authority of Culture and Antiquities Bahrain Directorate of Fisheries Supreme Council for Environment Bahrain Defense Force Southern Tourism Company Professional Fishermen Society (NGO) |
Located about 25 km south of Bahrain’s main island and close to the east coast of Qatar, the Hawar Islands are an archipelago of [X] islands belonging to the Kingdom of Bahrain. The area boasts unique geographical and natural characteristics, combining to provide habitat to a significant number of avian and marine species.
The project carried out the following activities:
- Assessing the status and productivity of seagrass meadows
- Identifying dugong important areas
- Evaluating the impacts of fishing activities on the dugong population
- Empowering local communities to participate in monitoring and mitigating the impacts of boating on dugongs
- Developing site-specific conservation guidelines for dugongs and seagrass meadows