Doha // High sea temperatures off the coast of Qatar threaten precious coral reefs and have caused mass deaths among some 20 types of fish.
Water temperatures last week crossed 36°C, researchers from Qatar University, the environment ministry and the interior ministry found.
The researchers say there is cause for concern once the water temperatures cross 34°C and they are particularly worried about the long-term impact on coral reefs.
“The coral reef may be affected by the temperature, we don’t know yet,” said Qatar University marine biology professor Ibrahim Al Maslamani. “Thirty-six degrees, this is really too much. It’s really sensitive to high temperatures.
“If the system shuts down it will really be a disaster.”
Coral reefs can be found in several areas along Qatar’s coastline, including the offshore Halul Island, north-east of Doha.
Prof Al Maslamani estimated that “more than 18” species of fish were killed by the high temperatures and a low level of dissolved oxygen in sea waters.
Among the species affected in the past week are Safi, an edible local type of rabbitfish, and Jesh, also known as the Gold Spotted Trevally.
Less mobile fish which swim closer to the sea bed are thought to be most at risk.
Pro Al Maslamani said further study was needed to determine exactly how many species of fish perished.
The work carried out last week from a research vessel included studying samples of dead fish as well as monitoring the sea water to a depth of 29 metres, including water salinity and purity.
The study found that sea bed temperatures reached up to 35.9°C.
Qatar University professor Ibrahim Mohamed Al Ansari said the higher sea temperatures can occur in the region every “two or three years during the last week of August and the first week of September”.
The university has been monitoring fish mortality since the mid-1990s.
Further tests are expected to be carried out in the next few weeks to determine the potential for any long-term damage caused by warmer waters.
It is expected that water temperatures will fall slightly throughout September.
* Agence France-Presse
The flights: South African Airways flies from Dubai International Airport with a stop in Johannesburg, with prices starting from around Dh4,000 return. Emirates can get you there with a stop in Lusaka from around Dh4,600 return.
The details: Visas are available for 247 Zambian kwacha or US$20 (Dh73) per person on arrival at Livingstone Airport. Single entry into Victoria Falls for international visitors costs 371 kwacha or $30 (Dh110). Microlight flights are available through Batoka Sky, with 15-minute flights costing 2,265 kwacha (Dh680).
Accommodation: The Royal Livingstone Victoria Falls Hotel by Anantara is an ideal place to stay, within walking distance of the falls and right on the Zambezi River. Rooms here start from 6,635 kwacha (Dh2,398) per night, including breakfast, taxes and Wi-Fi. Water arrivals cost from 587 kwacha (Dh212) per person.
The biog
Name: Mariam Ketait
Emirate: Dubai
Hobbies: I enjoy travelling, experiencing new things, painting, reading, flying, and the French language
Favourite quote: "Be the change you wish to see" - unknown
Favourite activity: Connecting with different cultures
What is type-1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a genetic and unavoidable condition, rather than the lifestyle-related type 2 diabetes.
It occurs mostly in people under 40 and a result of the pancreas failing to produce enough insulin to regulate blood sugars.
Too much or too little blood sugar can result in an attack where sufferers lose consciousness in serious cases.
Being overweight or obese increases the chances of developing the more common type 2 diabetes.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Your rights as an employee
The government has taken an increasingly tough line against companies that fail to pay employees on time. Three years ago, the Cabinet passed a decree allowing the government to halt the granting of work permits to companies with wage backlogs.
The new measures passed by the Cabinet in 2016 were an update to the Wage Protection System, which is in place to track whether a company pays its employees on time or not.
If wages are 10 days late, the new measures kick in and the company is alerted it is in breach of labour rules. If wages remain unpaid for a total of 16 days, the authorities can cancel work permits, effectively shutting off operations. Fines of up to Dh5,000 per unpaid employee follow after 60 days.
Despite those measures, late payments remain an issue, particularly in the construction sector. Smaller contractors, such as electrical, plumbing and fit-out businesses, often blame the bigger companies that hire them for wages being late.
The authorities have urged employees to report their companies at the labour ministry or Tawafuq service centres — there are 15 in Abu Dhabi.
