A L YA S AT M A R I N E

PROTECTED AREA
FACTSHEET
NAME ISLANDS AREA
AL YASAT
MARINE 13 main islands 2,256 km2
Al Yasat Protected Area (YMPA)
MPA

Abu Dhabi
United Arab Emirates
ESTABLISHED LOCATION
FAR WEST OF
In 2005 THE UAE
A L YA S AT
MPA Features
Al Yasat MPA was established as a marine protected Al Yasat MPA is a managed resources protected
area to conserve the natural diversity and traditional area. The no-take zones are 3 nanometer around
uses in the coastal and marine environment. It is home the islands. Other areas are utilised for a variety
to many endangered species and critical habitats. of uses, including licensed fishery, tourism, as well
as oil and gas approved operations.
Al Yasat MPA contains islands characterised by rocky
wave-cut platforms, and sandy beaches. Those islands
are important wave breakers that decrease the impact
of storm surges on the main coast of the western
region of Abu Dhabi.

BIRDS
140
Species
2 Threatened

REPTILES
13
Species
5 Threatened

MAMMALS
10
Species
6
FLORA Threatened

7Species

A L YA S AT
MPA Habitat N
Al Yasat MPA is home to critical marine
ecosystems
These percentages represent the
habitat inside the reserve out of their Dolphins / Porpoise
total areas in Abu Dhabi Emirate. Dugongs
Turtles
Seabed
Coral Reef
Seagrass Bed

CORAL REEFS Mangrove & Salt Marsh

Land

21 %
65 km2
SEAGRASSES
5%
ROCKY SHORES
51 km2
8%
0.3 km2
0 5 10 20 30 40
Kilometres

WILDLIFE
IMPORTANCE
1. MANY BIRD SPECIES
USE ISLAND
FOR NESTING,
HABITATS 3. CRUCIAL NURSERY AND
SPAWNING GROUNDS FOR 5. DOLPHINS
& PORPOISE
MORE THAN

150
SUCH AS
SOCOTRA ARE PRESENT:
CORMORANT
AND AL YASAT MPA
. I N D O - PAC I F I C
HAS THE ONLY BREEDING SPECIES OF FISH BOTTLENOSE
POPULATION OF
SOOTY FALCON DOLPHIN
IN ABU DHABI
4.IMPORTANT SITES
FOR FORAGING
. INDIAN OCEAN
HUMPBACK
2. LPOPULATION
A R G OFE GREEN DOLPHIN
T U RT L E S
SPINY TAILED
. FINLESS PORPOISE
DHAB
AND NESTING SITES FOR
I N D O - PAC I F I C
HAWKSBILL
PRESENCE IN YMPA
TURTLES
FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT WWW.EAD.GOV.AE

In YMPA Abu Dhabi In YMPA Abu Dhabi In YMPA Abu Dhabi

CETACEANS
21 % DUGONG
ESTIMATED
Marine Water
30 % MARINE TURTLES
ESTIMATED
Marine Water
14 % INCLUDING
DOLPHINS
Marine Water

POPULATION ESTIMATED
POPULATION
POPULATION

In YMPA Abu Dhabi In YMPA Abu Dhabi

100% SOOTY FALCON

ESTIMATED
Protected Area
50% SOCOTRA
CORMORANT
Protected Area

ESTIMATED
POPULATION
POPULATION

GENERAL
REGULATION

DO NOT FISH DO NOT EXCEED SPEED DO NOT REMOVE DO NOT TAKE DO NOT LITTER DO NOT CHASE DO NOT COLLECT
WITHOUT PERMIT LIMIT (10 KNOT OR AS OR DAMAGE SIGNS COMMERCIAL WILDLIFE ANIMALS SAMPLES WITHOUT
SPECIFIED BY AUTHORITIES) PHOTOGRAPHS A PERMIT
DO NOT USE THE ANCHOR WITHOUT PERMIT

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT WWW.EAD.GOV.AE