Ra's Fartak (8359)
Yemen, Middle East
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 1994
National site name: Ra's Fartak
Central coordinates: Latitude: 15.6333, Longitude: 52.2167
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 30
Area of KBA (km2): 118.56106
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that was identified using previously established criteria and thresholds for the identification of Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) and for which available data indicate that it does not meet global KBA criteria and thresholds set out in the Global Standard.
Delineation rationale: Type 2 marine IBA: non-breeding (coastal) congregations. 2009-01-05 (BL Secretariat): the polygon is defined very roughly, according to the coordinates, site area and site description (altitude range, habitats and other features discernible in Google Earth), as given in the 1994 IBA book; the 1994 coordinates lie near the edge of this polygon, so have been shifted to its centre.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: The seas off Ra’s Fartak are a major feeding area for seabirds, notably Jouanin’s Petrel and Persian Shearwater.
Land use: fisheries/aquaculture | rangeland/pastureland
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 5 | |
| Marine Neritic | 48 | |
| Shrubland | 48 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Threats: a new coastal asphalted road and long tunnel(s) have been constructed through Ras Fartak, which have reduced traffic over the mountain. Coastal areas impacted by floating rubbish and plastic.