A wide diversity of rays, sharks and turtles have been discovered in the large lagoon at Umm Al Quwain, leading scientists to declare the area a “critical habitat” for marine species.
Videos from baited underwater cameras and drones allowed scientists to identify 13 species – two sea turtle species, one type of shark and 10 ray species.
Most are classified as globally threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, with some critically endangered.
The researchers praised the UAQ authorities for looking after the “nationally and globally important” lagoon, Khor Al…