Turtle population in Oman on the decline, says ESO
Oman’s sea turtle population is on the decline, according to Environment Society of Oman (ESO).
In a statement, ESO said that its work to clear abandoned fishing gear and other debris from important nesting beaches on Masirah Island, ahead of nesting season, is an important part of its annual calendar. ‘Since 2017, we have cleared 685 tonnes of debris from these beaches. It’s a huge challenge that our team is ready for.’
Every year, the society organises net removal campaigns on Masirah Island. ‘Entanglement in abandoned fishing nets is a major threat to nesting adults and hatchlings,’ it stated.
The Environment Authority (EA) recently stated that it removed around 70 tonnes of marine debris from turtle beaches in South Sharqiyah in 2022.
The authority organised several campaigns and programmes to preserve beaches in the governorate, which are famous for turtle nesting. It also continues to introduce new measures to protect sea turtles, which swim to Omani shores every year to nest.
Last November, EA launched the second phase of a project to track turtles via satellites.
The project aims to enhance data to study the nesting behaviour and natural habitat of sea turtles. Five tracking devices were fitted in turtles in the Ras al Jinz area to monitor threats during their migration and the environmental risks to the creatures and their natural habitat.
The project will track a number of green turtles in Ras al Hadd Reserve and combine local and international efforts to apply the best practices in protecting sea turtles.