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- Bottlenose dolphins and dhows North of Lakbi - |
In the autumn of 2002 the Oman Whale and Dolphin Research Group (OWDRG) completed a 5-week survey of the Arabian Sea coast. This latest survey, which proved to be one of the most logistically challenging in the group's recent history, yielded some extremely valuable results. A number of humpback whales were photographed for individual identification and sampled for genetic analysis, and valuable data were obtained on the distribution of other whale and dolphin species in the areas surveyed. The group also forged some valuable links with local fishing communities and visiting researchers and trainees from Kuwait and Abu Dhabi.
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- Bottlenose dolphins and dhows North of Lakbi - |
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- Duqm survey area. click to enlarge - |
The survey began in the last week of October in at Ash Shuwayr, a small fishing village south of Duqm. The first few days were spent arranging logistics, and finding a suitable place to launch and anchor the group's research boat, a 6.5m rigid hulled inflatable boat (RIB), donated and maintained by PDO, Salalah Port Services, and OHI Marine. Unfortunately, this proved difficult in the Duqm area, which offers no protected coves or bays for safe anchorage, and for several days the group was forced to rely on the generous loan of a local fishing boat. Ten full days of surveys in the Duqm area yielded 17 sightings of humpback whales and a few sightings of humpback and bottlenose dolphins. Many whales were observed feeding, confirming the importance of the western Gulf of Masirah as a feeding ground for this unique population of humpbacks, which feeds and breeds in the Arabian Sea (while every other known population of humpback whales migrates thousands of kilometres between feeding and breeding grounds). Despite the logistical difficulties, this area proved very rewarding and will certainly be revisited in future surveys.
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| - Lakbi survey area. Click to enlarge - |
The second half of the survey was spent further south, where the research team was able to anchor the boat in the harbour at Lakbi. During the two weeks spent in Lakbi, 11 days were dedicated to boat surveys, some of which were limited to nearshore areas because of rough seas. Able to use their own RIB again, the group ventured as far as Shuwaymiyah and the Hallaniyat Islands. The Kuria Muria Bay, which yielded many humpback whale sightings in February and March, including males singing to herald the breeding season, did not yield any whale sightings at this time of year. In fact, despite hours of intensive searching, only 2 sightings of humpback whales (comprising 3 individuals) were made during the second half of the survey. Although no humpback whale song was detected, the researchers did record one sequence of vocalizations that are believed to be those of a blue whale. The digital recording will be shared with experts for confirmation. Other species observed during the Lakbi portion of the trip included humpback dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, false killer whales, and two unidentified baleen whales. Beach surveys conducted in this area yielded skeletal, skin and stomach samples from several humpback dolphins, two bottlenose dolphins, and a false killer whale.
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- False killer whales south of Lakbi - |
Although the second half of the survey did not yield as many sightings as hoped, it was important for the group to explore this area, which had not been covered on previous surveys. The comparison of encounter rates in the Gulf of Masirah with the encounter rates in the several hundred kilometres that were effectively surveyed off of Lakbe/Shuwaymiyah will allow the research team to better determine the preferred habitats of the various species of whales and dolphins that were observed (or not observed, as the case may be!).
In total, 23 humpback whales were photographed for individual identification, increasing the number of whales in the Oman humpback whale photo-ID catalogue to over 50 individuals. Initial comparison of photos from the recent survey with those obtained on previous surveys has revealed one match, an old friend named "Flatfin" who was first photographed in the Gulf of Masirah in October 2000, and again off Hallaniyah Island in February 2002. More careful analysis is required to search for additional matches between surveys. The Oman photo-ID catalogue will also be compared with catalogues from other Indian Ocean humpback whale populations, such as Madagascar and the Comoros Islands, to determine whether there is any exchange between the Arabian Sea and Southern Hemisphere humpback populations.
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- Flatfin, the re-sighted humpback whale - |
Biopsy samples were obtained from 17 humpback whales, 8 humpback dolphins and 4 bottlenose dolphins. The skin samples collected during this survey will be sent to New York, where they will be analysed by Dr. Howard Rosenbaum, who works with the Wildlife Conservation Society and the American Natural History Museum. The analysis will be used to determine the gender and familial relationships of the whales and dolphins that were sampled as well as the degree of separation between the Arabian Sea populations and other studied populations around the globe.
The Oman Whale and Dolphin Research group would like to extend a special thanks to all of the sponsors and supporters who made this survey possible, including: The Ministry of Regional Municipalities, Environment and Water Resources; The Office of the Advisor for Conservation of the Royal Palace; Five Oceans LLC; Veritas Geophysical; Salalah Port Services; Shell Oman Marketing; PDO (and the PDO Dive Club); OHI Marine; Thuraya (distributor, Mustafa Sultan Telecommunications); Tawoos; the Marina Bandar Rowdha, Golden Dolphin Fishing Co., and the Ford Environmental Grants.
For more information on this survey, or the OWDRG's activities or sponsors please contact Gianna Minton (9329634) or Tim Collins (9416936).
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- Three humpback whales, photo-identified offshore from Duqm - |