Al Yasat Marine Protected Area was declared in 2005 to cover a total area of 482 km². The Yasat group consists of four islands in the far west of the UAE. They are Upper Yasat, Lower Yasat, Esam and Karsha.
The Al Yasat MPA is expected to provide effective protection for the area’s fish stocks at various stages in their life cycles, when they are dependent on specific habitat types or locations. In the absence of fishing pressure inside the protected area, fish will be able to grow to maturity and increase in abundance.
Ecological Importance of Al Yasat
The Al Yasat group of islands and the surrounding waters included in the new MPA are of considerable ecological importance.
• The islands are surrounded by coral reefs which act as important marine sanctuaries to many species including the already over-exploited Hamour, Shaari and Farsh. The reefs have good coral growth and high coral cover with around 8 coral species present.
• The islands have irregular coastlines with both rocky and sandy shorelines, providing a variety of habitats.
• The MPA has suitable foraging habitats for the critically endangered Hawksbill turtles.
• The MPA also has significant populations of marine fauna including the endangered Green turtle and the Dugong.
• Desert hares are present on the islands, where they make use of the natural landscape and vegetation for shelter, food and breeding.
• Upper Yasat has an important breeding colony of Socotra cormorants, a near-endemic bird species for the UAE, which is one of less than 15 existing colonies in the world.
Cultural and Historical Importance of Al Yasat
• According to surveys undertaken in this area , the Yasat islands were once the site of human settlement in the late pre-Islamic period (1st – 6th Century AD). The remains of shelters and other sites, which demonstrate evidence of occupation during the Late Islamic period, have also been found, including shell middens which demonstrate the way in which local inhabitants exploited the food resources present in nearby waters. Several of these sites are considered to be of national or regional importance.
Restrictions of Al Yasat Marine Protected Area
• Any form of hunting, killing or catching wildlife is banned.
• Damaging the nesting areas of birds and marine turtles is banned.
• Changing the geographical features of the islands is prohibited.
• Berthing of boats in non-designated areas is banned.
• Fishing is restricted within three nautical miles from the nearest low water mark (shoreline) in the MPA.