Long‐term persistence of large dugong groups in a conservation hotspot around Hawar Island, Kingdom of Bahrain

Predictable aggregations of large marine mammals are valuable conservation targets, but aggregated populations can also be exposed to site-level threats. The globally vulnerable Dugong dugon has a wide distribution is found in numbers mainly Australia and the Arabian Gulf. Though Australian dugong well studied, much less known dugongs spatial temporal persistence around Bahrain, with focus on groups (>50 dugongs), was determined using an occupancy modelling framework supported by historical records, structured interviews, citizen science network reports, small-scale boat unmanned aerial vehicle surveys. Historical records current distributional studies confirmed that have been reliably sighted Hawar Island (Bahrain) since at least 1986, forming large, clumped persist almost year round. largest recorded so far world, these fluid (maximum ~700 dugongs) account for ~60% Bahrain ~12% all delineated core area (~145 km2) straddles Bahrain–Qatar border, reflecting transboundary nature groups. Careful management human-induced stressors (in particular, fishing, boating, coastal development) combined regular monitoring Island's their seagrass habitat critical safeguard this important population. effectiveness any predicated strengthening cooperation among range states A key recommendation study establish regional protected areas encompassing aggregation sites dugongs, particularly Islands north-western waters Qatar, Marawah United Arab Emirates addition shallow between Saudi Arabia, Emirates.