 |
- Humpback whales at bow of research boat - |
Oman's whales and dolphins have recently enjoyed increased media attention and public awareness. Numerous articles have been published in local, regional and international newspapers and magazines, covering topics from whale-watching opportunities and guidelines to exciting whale rescues and sightings of rare species. Oman's whales and dolphins have been the subject of radio and television coverage on networks such as CNN and Star TV. Despite this increase in media awareness, formal research on Oman's cetaceans (the collective term for whales and dolphins) has been limited, and many of the species inhabiting Oman's waters are still poorly understood.
To date, at least 21 different species of whales and dolphins have been identified along the coast of Oman (see Cetaceans of Oman). Five of these species are baleen whales, which are known in other parts of the world for the long migrations between feeding and breeding areas. However the seasonal movements of the baleen whales seen in Oman remain a complete mystery. No one knows for example, where the blue whales sighted recently near Muscat originated, or where they were going. And although Oman's humpback whales appear to be non-migratory and stay in the Arabian region year-round, researchers have yet to determine exactly where they breed and feed, and whether or not they are genetically isolated from other populations of humpback whales in the Indian Ocean.
The other 15 species are toothed cetaceans, which include the dolphins, sperm whales and elusive beaked whales. Even the most frequently sighted species, like the spinner dolphins that can be seen at any time of year just off the coast of Muscat, hold secrets to be discovered. There is reason to believe that Omani waters may be home to a unique sub-species of spinner dolphin. Only further photographic and genetic evidence, along with collection of skeletal remains, will allow researchers to confirm this.
 |
- Photo-identification of a humpback fluke - |
Oman's whales and dolphins have attracted international attention from both researchers and tourists. The International Whaling Commission (IWC) conference was held in Muscat in 1998. The world's leading cetologists who attended the conference were intrigued by the abundance of cetaceans found here, and strongly recommended further and more detailed study of them. Such recommendations were formally documented in the commission's proceedings. Oman is also experiencing a growth in the whale-watching industry, an industry that globally generates around 1 billion US dollars each year. Tourists are willing to travel great distances and spend a considerable amount of money to experience the thrill of watching these graceful and awe-inspiring creatures in their natural habitat.
In order to better protect and manage this valuable scientific, aesthetic and economic resource, more detailed research is needed. The Team's research plans for 2001 address some of the most urgent research requirements, including the collection of baseline data on the species occurring in Oman, photo-identification of individual baleen whales and genetic sampling of the spinner dolphin and the humpback whale, two species that may be genetically isolated in the Arabian region.
