ESO norms for watching dolphins

With the extended weekend about to begin and the weather becoming conducive for dolphinwatching in the seas, Environment Society of Oman (ESO) on Tuesday released guidelines for watching whales and dolphins.

Claiming that boats can disturb, stress or injure the marine animals, the ESO said while approaching whales and dolphins, slow down the boat at 500 metres and maintain a constant speed ( four knots) and direction.

Approach from the side. Never chase, harass or overtake whales or dolphins, it said.

Once you approach them, remain stationary until whales or dolphins move away. Do not bang on the hull, shout or whistle at them to provoke a reaction.

“Limit viewing time to 30 minutes. Only three boats should be allowed at a time and all views must be from the same side,” said the ESO.

ESO also said it is dangerous to attempt to swim with, touch or feed whales and dolphins.

Take extra care to avoid collisions with whales and dolphins in your path and avoid using echo sounders.

If you have to keep changing directions, then the animal may be trying to avoid you; they should be left alone, said the statement.

Move away from them slowly, keeping to the four-knot speed limit until you are at least 100 metres away.

Oman’s waters are home to over 20 species of whales and dolphins.

The Arabian Sea Humpback Whale is recognised as a unique sub-population listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species founded in 1964, which is the world’s most comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of biological species.