Classified as endangered on the IUCN Red List of threatened species in 2008, it is estimated to be the smallest and potenti
Muscat: To conserve and spread awareness about the importance of protecting the Arabian Humpback Whale, which is largely found only in the waters off the coast of Oman, the Environment Society of Oman aims to launch two programmes this year.
The first project aims to implement a conservation management plan, working with local authorities to implement alternative solutions to harmful marine practices that threaten the whales’ survival.
Complementing the conservation plan, ESO will also be launching a two-year capacity building programme designed to develop the next generation of cetacean researchers and activists.
The Arabian Sea Humpback whale is one of the 20 species of marine mammals found in Oman’s waters. Classified as endangered on the IUCN Red List of threatened species in 2008, it is estimated to be the smallest and potentially most vulnerable whale population in the world, numbering fewer than 100.
Research supported by ESO has also proven Oman’s humpback whales to be the only known population in the world not to migrate between high and low latitudes, staying instead to breed and feed in the waters surrounding Oman.
“Since its inception in 2004, ESO has focused on developing a better understanding of the distribution and ecology of different whales found in Oman’s waters,” said the organisation in a
statement.
“Among its achievements last year, the country’s only non-profit organisation focusing on environmental preservation, launched the Marine Mammal Atlas of Oman, a publication that is the culmination of 20 years of scientific research and serves as an important reference for studies on environmental diversity, while also raising awareness on the species.
“Whilst research and monitoring for the Arabian Sea humpback whale will continue, ESO’s long history of research means that there is now sufficient scientific information to back meaningful conservation actions,” added the environmental organisation.
“As a result, the focus of ESO’s work will shift to delivering more advocacy and mitigation options to help protect these endangered whales.”
As a non-profit organisation, ESO continues to rely on the generous support of sponsors and members to deliver this work. For more information on how to support, make a donation, or to find out other ways to get involved, visit www.eso.org.om.
The Environment Society of Oman was founded in March 2004 by Omanis representing different regions and many professional backgrounds.
The society is the first of its kind in Oman and works by promoting conservation and environmental awareness in all sectors of society.
In February 2009, ESO was accepted as a member of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and was chosen to represent environmental organisations from West Asia at the United Nations Environment Programme.
In June 2012, ESO attended the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (called the Rio+20) in Rio de Janeiro as an officially accredited NGO as per the UN General Assembly’s decision (A/66/L/44).
