[Research & Fieldwork]

Report of Activities during
2001-2002 Field Season

Contents

Introduction
Surveys in the 2001-2002 Field Season:

Gulf of Masirah, September-November 2001
Turtle mortality, November-December 2001
Dolphin Stranding, January 2002
Dhofar, February 2002
International Whaling Commission, April/May, 2002
Hasik Survey, June 2002

Inventory of Data & Samples Collected in the 2001-2002 Field Season
Public Awareness & Information Dissemination
Website
Local Participation & Training
Financial Accounting
Application of Data & Results
2002-2003 Field Season

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Introduction ^^

The Oman Whale and Dolphin Research Group (OWDRG) is a non-profit team of volunteer scientists who actively research and promote awareness of whales and dolphins found within Oman's waters. The group works with approval from Oman's Ministry of Regional Municipalities, Environment and Water Resources (MRMEWR), and co-operates closely with the Oman Natural History Museum (ONHM - part of the Ministry of Heritage and Culture) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF).

Over the past three years the OWDRG has carried out a number of boat and shore based surveys with the primary aim of collecting baseline data on Oman's cetacean species, particularly humpback whales and coastal dolphins. Information on other forms of marine and coastal life is also routinely collected, especially where this can benefit other research aims within the Sultanate or where requested by Government institutions. Scientific and popular publications are the principle route for dissemination of the information collected, and a database of all information is shared with the ONHM. The Group also endeavours to accommodate and train interested Omani scientists and to enhance environmental education.

This work is made possible by support and sponsorship from local and regional schools and businesses, and assistance from dedicated individuals who work with the group. This report is intended to provide sponsors and other interested parties with information on the group's activities from September 2001 to June 2002.

Surveys in the 2001-2002 Field Season ^^

Gulf of Masirah, September-November 2001 ^^

The first survey of the 2001-2002 field season was conducted in conjunction with the Saif Sareea or "Swift Sword" joint Omani-British military exercises. With support from the British Embassy in Muscat, and the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the OWDRG carried out a 6-week long survey designed to study cetaceans in the Gulf of Masirah, and monitor the potential impacts of the military exercises on cetaceans and other marine life.

In the last week of September and first week of November the OWDRG conducted extensive surveys of beaches between Ras Madrakah and Masirah Island. The main aim of these beach surveys was to allow a comparison of the surveyed areas before and after the military exercises took place. Although the main focus was on collection of data on dead cetaceans and turtles, the group also assessed other indicators of potential impact on the environment, including levels of litter, levels of dead fish, turtle nesting activity, and physical changes to beach or dune topography.

Throughout the month of October, the OWDRG divided its efforts between boat-based surveys of the Gulf of Masirah and beach surveys on the island itself. During this time staff from the Ministry of Regional Municipalities, Environment and Water Resources (MRMEWR), and local rangers joined the OWDRG in these surveys. Boat surveys conducted daily from the base camp on the southern tip of Masirah Island covered up to 150km per day, and yielded a high number of sightings of bottlenose dolphins and humpback whales. Bryde's whales, beaked whales, Risso's, common, spinner and humpback dolphins were also sighted.

The survey yielded photos for individual identification of 15 humpback whales, which were added to the Oman humpback whale photo-identification catalogue. One of these whales was an old friend, "Chomp" who had been photographed by the group twice before. Skin samples suitable for genetic analysis were also collected from each of these whales.

During this survey the group was joined by Dr. Vic Cockcroft, a world-renowned whale and dolphin biologist, who provided valuable assistance and advice. A full report of this survey is available on request.

Turtle mortality, November-December 2001 ^^

At the end of November 2001, the OWDRG received reports from the MRMEWR that large numbers of green turtles were stranding along the coast of Al Ashkara. From the last week of November through to the first week of January, members of the OWDRG worked with staff from the MRMEWR and the MAF to monitor the mortality event. Several beach surveys and two aerial surveys were conducted to count the number of turtles involved and examine turtles for possible causes of death. Members of the OWDRG helped to collect water and substrate samples and coordinate consultation between the MRMEWR, Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) and the MAF and experts throughout the world to assess the possible contributions of red tides, fisheries, or disease to the mortality.

Dolphin Stranding, January 2002 ^^

On Thursday, January 10th, 33 dolphins stranded on a rocky beach just south of Sur. The majority of the dolphins stranded alive, and local villagers spent hours trying to push them back out to sea. Initial attempts were unsuccessful, and many dolphins, once "re-floated" turned around and swam back onto the beach. Eventually, villagers were able to tow 20 of the dolphins back out to sea, and by the time members of the OWDRG arrived on the scene, they found only 13 dead dolphins on the beach.

On Friday, January 12th, members of the research team worked together with veterinarian Marie Christine Maufrais-Vandi and biologists and staff from the Diwan and MRMEWR to examine the dead dolphins. Initial analysis showed no obvious signs of pathology other than extensive bruising and haemorrhaging. Local villagers claimed that the dolphins were chased onto shore by predatory killer whales. This type of event has been documented in other parts of the world, and may indeed be the cause of the mass stranding. A number of the animals were taken back to Muscat for further examinations and veterinarians at the royal stables in Seeb provided additional support and advice. The team is still awaiting the results of analysis of tissue samples that were collected from the animals.

Although the majority of the dolphins were bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), three of the dead animals left on the beach were rough-toothed dolphins (Steno bredanensis). These represent the first complete specimens of this species to be discovered in Oman. Previously, its presence in Oman was known only from a damaged skull that was found in Ras Madrakah in 1984. These valuable new specimens are now curated at the Oman Natural History Museum.

Dhofar, February 2002 ^^

In February 2002 the group was once again joined by Dr. Ken Findlay, cetacean expert from South Africa, who had visited Oman on two previous occasions to assist with humpback whale research. Once again, the group started its survey from Salalah Port, and used it's 6.5m RIB to work its way up the coast to the Kuria Muria Bay, encompassing the areas offshore from Mirbat, Hasik, Shuwaymiyah, Sharbitat and the Hallaniyat Islands over a three week period. Whenever possible local rangers accompanied researchers on the survey, and were involved in data collection and processing at the end of the day.

17 encounters with humpback whales yielded photographs suitable for the individual identification of 11 new whales for the humpback whale photo-identification catalogue, and matches, or re-sights of two known individuals, "Flatfin" who was first seen in the Gulf of Masirah in October 2000, and our old friend "Chomp", who had by this time been observed on four separate occasions in a 15-month time span. Nine samples were collected for genetic analysis, and many hours of whale song were recorded during this survey. The prevalence of singing humpback whales supported observations made in previous surveys indicating that the Kuria Muria Bay is an important habitat for this species' breeding.

International Whaling Commission, April/May, 2002 ^^

Three members of the OWDRG were invited to attend the annual meeting of the Scientific Committee of the International Whaling Commission in Japan. In preparation for this meeting the team prepared seven scientific papers on the preliminary results of research conducted over the past three years in Oman. Firstly, the OWDRG cooperated with the MAF to prepare a "country progress report" for Oman, outlining the research that has taken place in the past year.

Two papers on humpback whales addressed their distribution and habitat use in Oman, and the preliminary results of the genetic analysis of samples collected by the OWDRG. These results show that while some Omani whales share matrilineal lineages with other humpback populations in the Indian Ocean, others show a completely unique "Arabian" lineage, the first genetic indicators that Oman's humpback whales belong to a separate population.

Two papers on humpback dolphins dealt with their general distribution, morphology and ecology in Oman, as well as the preliminary results of genetic analysis of samples collected from beach-cast specimens in Oman. These results demonstrated that Oman's humpback dolphins are as intriguing as it's humpback whales; with large differences found between humpback dolphins from the Salalah region and those from further north.

Another paper examined the results of the group's beach surveys of the past two years, looking for trends in the distribution of species of dead whales and dolphins along Oman's coastline, and discussing possible causes of mortality for those specimens that were examined.

Members of the OWDRG also contributed to a comprehensive report on cetacean research taking place throughout the Indian Ocean. This report was prepared by the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, which is based in the United Kingdom. The aim of this report was to highlight the value of the Indian Ocean Sanctuary, the status of which was to be reviewed by the Scientific Committee. As one of only three IWC member countries bordering the Indian Ocean, Oman's position in this review was highly significant. A number of IWC member states would like to see the Sanctuary abolished, so that whales in the Indian Ocean would become susceptible to whaling if the current world-wide moratorium on whaling is lifted.

Hasik Survey, June 2002 ^^

In the last week of June 2002, two members of the OWDRG were joined by a new graduate recruit to the Dwian's Office of the Advisor for Conservation for a brief reconnaissance survey off Hasik. The team was acting on reports from local fishermen that the sea in the bay is protected from the monsoon swells, and that whales are present throughout the month of May. Accessible by road only since June 2001, this outpost town and it's surrounding coastline proved to be a haven from the normally rough seas, and the OWDRG was able to conduct two days of boat surveys. Unfortunately, whales were not detected visually, or acoustically. However, the group did encounter humpback dolphins, and valuable photographs and skin samples were collected from this group. The trip proved extremely useful, as it provided another opportunity to work with local rangers, and the observations of sea conditions, and the apparent absence of whales will help the group to refine its plans for research in 2003.

Inventory of Data & Samples Collected in the 2001-2002 Field Season ^^

Since July 2001 the Oman Whale and Dolphin Research Group has collected the following data and samples:

Public Awareness & Information Dissemination ^^

During the course of the past year the research group's work has been covered in several newspaper articles in the English and Arabic Daily newspapers. It has also featured in several issues of PDO's "Al Fahal", and the regionally distributed "Oman Today". Members of the team have also published articles in the annual "Tribute" magazine and quarterly "Arabian Wildlife". Members of the group were interviewed on Dubai English Radio and Oman English FM.

The Group attended and presented information at several local and international gatherings, including:

• The Dubai Natural History Group, November 2001;
• A PDO international fair, November 2001;
• Employees of Shell Marketing Oman, February 2002;
• Hallaniyah school, February 2002;
• Employees of the DG of Environment in Salalah, March 2002;
• PDO Ladies' Association, March 2002;
• An open day at Sultan Qaboos University, March 2002;
• A public presentation at the Oman Dive Centre, June 2002;
• The Sultan's School, November 2001;
• The American International School of Muscat, January 2002;
• The British School of Muscat (4 presentations between November 2001 and June 2002);
• The American British Academy of Muscat, June 2002.

Website ^^

With the help of a dedicated volunteer "webmaster", Russell Elliott, the group maintains a website: www.whalecoastoman.com. The website features information on the group's activities and sponsors, as well as more general information about cetaceans in Oman. The website is regularly updated with new photos and reports and has received close to 2000 "hits" since February 2001. Visitors to the website have come through internet providers from around the globe, including the United States, New Zealand, South Africa, and Malaysia.

Local Participation & Training ^^

In addition to the more regular participation and training of local rangers, who have been involved in all recent surveys, members of the group talk extensively with local fishermen and community members in the areas where they work. In areas that have been visited on several separate occasions (such as the Hallaniyat Islands), researchers have shared photographs and audiotapes with local schools.

Rashid al Barwani, a student in his final year of fisheries studies at Sultan Qaboos University, has accompanied the group on several local surveys, and is planning to conduct his final year's project on cetacean research. Lamya al Kiyumi, a scientist working at the Marine Science and Fisheries Centre of the Ministry of Agriculture and fisheries, is also working closely with the group on policy and planning and data analysis. Mansoor al Jahdhami from the Office of the Advisor for Conservation participated in the June survey and it is hoped that he will continue to work with the team. The group plans to continue with this cooperation, and to intensify efforts to involve more local participants and trainees in its work in the next field season.

Financial Accounting ^^

The group has kept detailed accounts of sponsors' donations and outgoing expenses. These accounts are reviewed twice a year by the local offices of the globally respected accounting firm, KPMG. Detailed financial statements are available to sponsors upon request.

Application of Data & Results ^^

Scientific papers and reports, as well as a database of sightings and strandings, are shared with all of the relevant government bodies so that they are available for implementation in conservation and management decisions. These results have already been used in the application to include Oman's Arabian Sea coast as a special maritime area, as well as several environmental impact assessments for projects such as seismic exploration of Oman's coastline, and development of coastal resorts and ports.

2002-2003 Field Season ^^

The next research season will run from October 2002 through June 2003 and will involve at least two Omani recruits. This work will only be possible, however, if more funds can be raised. A detailed research proposal and budget for the 2002-2003 field season is available upon request.