EA records 37 marine mammal sightings in Musandam
According to the authority, 19 sightings were documented in 2024 along 1,604km of survey routes, while 18 sightings were recorded in 2023 across 1,897km. Species observed included Indian Ocean humpback dolphins, spinner dolphins, long-beaked common dolphins and pantropical spotted dolphins. Some groups comprised up to 100 individuals.
The fifth phase of the survey concluded in April 2025. The initiative is part of the management plan for Musandam National Nature Reserve and seeks to establish a detailed marine mammal distribution map for evidence-based environmental strategies.
'The survey is conducted as part of the reserve's management plan,' EA said in a statement.
Fieldwork involves visual monitoring using binoculars and the naked eye to identify surface disturbances or bird activity, often indicating the presence of marine mammals. Research vessels follow designated routes, with sightings logged using high-resolution cameras and a customised digital application named 'Spinner'.
Each observation includes species identification, group size, behaviour, time and GPS location. Additional tools include drones, GoPro cameras and acoustic recorders, with data gathered on water depth, wind speed and animal movement.
Oman's marine ecosystems, including the Sea of Oman and Arabian Sea, offer key habitats for dolphins and whales. These mammals play an essential role in maintaining food chain stability, regulating marine diseases and supporting carbon cycling.
Earlier phases of the survey found Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins concentrated in western areas of the reserve, while spinner dolphins, common dolphins and spotted dolphins were more prevalent in the east, particularly near Ras Shas, Khasab and Khawr Najd.
Alongside fieldwork, the authority has conducted awareness campaigns and workshops targeting fishermen and students to enhance local engagement in marine conservation.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Muscat Daily
10 hours ago
- Muscat Daily
Over 300 endangered Egyptian Vultures spotted in Dima Wa al Taien
North Sharqiyah -The Environment Authority in North Sharqiyah governorate has documented a major sighting of over 300 endangered Egyptian vultures in the wilayat of Dima Wa al Taien, marking one of the largest recorded gatherings of the species in the region. According to Saif bin Habib al Naabi, Environmental Systems Supervisor, this rare occurrence underlines Oman's ecological significance as a critical habitat for both migratory and resident bird species. The Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus) is listed as globally endangered due to threats such as habitat destruction and poaching. Environmental experts believe that such sightings reflect the success of Oman's conservation efforts, and signal the ecological richness of North Sharqiyah, reinforcing the importance of sustaining its natural ecosystems. This observation is part of the Environment Authority's broader biodiversity monitoring initiative. Frequent documentation of rare birds further enhances Oman's position as a hub for ecotourism and scientific research.
Times of Oman
2 days ago
- Times of Oman
Rare sighting: Over 300 endangered Egyptian vultures spotted in North Al Sharqiyah
Muscat: The Environment Authority in North Al Sharqiyah Governorate today documented a significant sighting of over 300 endangered Egyptian vultures in the Wilayat of Dima Wattayyen. Saif bin Habib Al Naabi, Environmental Systems Supervisor at the Environment Authority in North Al Sharqiyah Governorate, described this as one of the largest recorded sightings of this species in the region. He emphasized the environmental importance of the Sultanate of Oman as a vital habitat for both migratory and resident birds. Al Naabi explained that the Egyptian vulture, scientifically known as Neophron percnopterus, is classified as a globally threatened species, primarily due to habitat loss and poaching. Environmental experts confirm that this unusually large gathering is a strong indicator of the success of environmental conservation efforts within the Sultanate. This phenomenon is considered a positive sign of the rich wildlife diversity in North Al Sharqiyah Governorate, further bolstering efforts to preserve the ecosystems that support such species. This monitoring effort is part of the Environment Authority's ongoing commitment to biodiversity monitoring. The frequent documentation of rare bird species across Oman's governorates solidifies the Sultanate's growing reputation as a destination for ecotourism and scientific research.
Observer
7 days ago
- Observer
SAVING THE REEFS
Divers clutch wooden spears as they plunge beneath the waves, hunting hordes of hungry starfish destroying the coral reefs around the Cook Islands. These makeshift tools are their best weapons in the war against crown-of-thorns starfish, a coral-munching species eating through tropical reefs already weakened by climate change. The Cook Islands, a South Pacific nation of about 17,000 people, is in the grips of a years-long outbreak, says marine biologist Teina Rongo. 'It can completely kill off the entire reef, right around the island', said Rongo, who organises volunteers protecting the reefs fringing the isle of Rarotonga. 'I think there seems to be a Pacific-wide outbreak at the moment, because we're hearing other countries are facing similar challenges'. A single crown-of-thorns adult can eat more than 10 square metres of reef each year, squeezing its stomach through its mouth to coat coral in digestive juices. They pose a major threat to Australia's Great Barrier Reef, where scientists have developed robots that hunt down the prickly invertebrates and inject them with poison. 'At the moment, you basically kill them by injection', said researcher Sven Uthicke, from the Australian Institute of Marine Science. 'It could be vinegar, it could be lime juice or ox bile. 'Others are building chemical attraction traps. It's all very promising — but it's in the development stage'. Rongo finds it quickest to pry the feasting starfish loose using a wooden stick cut from the dense timber of the Pacific Ironwood tree. 'Basically, we use a stick with a hook at the end', he said. 'We've made some modifications over time because we were getting pricked by these starfish. It's painful'. Named for their hundreds of venomous spikes, crown-of-thorns starfish have as many as 21 fleshy arms and can grow larger than a car tyre. 'Plague proportions' They spawn in 'plague proportions', according to the Australian Institute of Marine Science and are a major driver of coral loss. From the Red Sea to the Pacific Ocean, crown-of-thorns outbreaks appear to be becoming both more frequent and more severe. 'Some argue that the crown-of-thorns has become chronic in the last few decades', said Rongo, talking about the reefs of the South Pacific. Scientists suspect these outbreaks are triggered by a mix of factors, including nutrients leached into the sea from agriculture and fluctuations in natural predators. But the damage they can cause is getting worse as reefs are weakened by climate change-fuelled coral bleaching and ocean acidification. 'This is why it's important for us to help the reef', says Rongo. Scuba divers scour the Cook Islands' reefs for hard-to-spot starfish wedged into dimly lit crevices. The day's haul is dumped into a plastic chest before the starfish are lugged ashore to be counted, measured and mulched for garden fertiliser. They are known as 'taramea' in Cook Islands Maori, which loosely translates to 'spiky thing'. The volunteer divers working with Rongo and his environmental group Korero O Te Orau — or Knowledge of the Land, Sky and Sea — remove thousands of starfish every year. 'I was part of that eradication effort. 'We were too late when we did decide to do something about it. It went on and ended up killing the reef'. — AFP A single crown-of-thorns adult can eat more than 10 square metres of reef each year, squeezing its stomach through its mouth to coat coral in digestive juices
