The Environment Authority of Oman recently convened a national workshop to strengthen the country’s preparedness and coordination in responding to marine mammal and sea turtle strandings. Bringing together members of the National Task Force for Studying Marine Mammal and Turtle Strandings and representatives from key partner organizations, the workshop marked an important step towards improving the country’s coordinated response to stranding events.

As home to the world’s only population of Arabian Sea humpback whales, Oman plays a critical role in the conservation of one of the world’s most endangered whale populations. Effective and timely responses to strandings provide valuable scientific information, improve animal welfare where live strandings occur, and help identify the threats affecting turtles and marine mammals along Oman’s coastline.

Over the course of the workshop, participants reviewed the current structure and response protocols of the national stranding response network, with a focus on strengthening communication, clarifying responsibilities, and standardizing field procedures. Discussions covered every stage of the response process, from receiving reports and coordinating field teams to data collection, documentation, data management, and technical reporting.

The workshop also provided an opportunity for participants to reflect on lessons learned from previous stranding events, identify operational challenges, and discuss the training and equipment needed to further strengthen national response capacity.

Key outcomes of the workshop included:

• Approval of an updated organizational structure for the National Stranding Task Force.
• Clear definition of the roles and responsibilities of participating agencies.
• Development of a standardized mechanism for receiving reports and coordinating responses.
• Agreement on unified field protocols for documentation, data collection and management.
• Identification of future training, technical, and equipment requirements.
• Development of an implementation roadmap to guide the continued strengthening of the national response network.

Strengthening stranding response capacity is a key component of marine mammal conservation. Every stranding event provides an opportunity to better understand species distribution, health, causes of mortality, and emerging threats such as fisheries interactions, ship strikes, disease, and marine pollution. Robust response networks also improve collaboration between government agencies, researchers, veterinarians, and local communities.

This is particularly true in the case of  Arabian Sea humpback whales, of which  fewer than 100 individuals are believed to remain, and every stranding record can provide valuable information to guide conservation and management decisions.

The workshop represents another significant step towards strengthening regional conservation efforts and aligns closely with the objectives of the Joint IWC-CMS Conservation Management Plan for Arabian Sea Humpback Whales, which recognizes coordinated stranding response, data sharing, and capacity building as essential components for the long-term conservation of this unique population.

A newly published study has provided a comprehensive assessment of marine mammal strandings along the southern coast of Iran, documenting 167 stranding events involving 177 individuals over a ten-year period from 2010 to 2020.

The paper represents an important milestone for marine mammal science in the region and highlights the value of long-term collaboration between scientists, government agencies, and local communities through the Iran National Stranding Network (INSN).

Published in Zoology in the Middle East, the study compiled records from four coastal provinces bordering the Persian Gulf and Oman Sea, providing critical information on marine mammal species occurrence, distribution, and threats in a region where dedicated offshore research remains limited.

Fourteen Species Documented

The study documented 14 marine mammal species, including 11 species of toothed whales and dolphins, two baleen whale species, and one dugong.

Among the most frequently recorded species were:

• Indo-Pacific finless porpoise (Neophocaena phocaenoides)
• Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops aduncus)
• Indian Ocean humpback dolphin (Sousa plumbea)
• Long-beaked common dolphin (Delphinus delphis)

The records also included sperm whales, Bryde’s whales, a humpback whale, false killer whales, rough-toothed dolphins, and a dugong. The work highlights the diversity of marine mammals occurring in Iranian waters.

A valuable insight into marine mammal conservation

In data-poor regions, stranding records often provide some of the best available information on marine mammal populations. Through a combination of community outreach, citizen science, and collaboration with local authorities, the Iran National Stranding Network has created an invaluable long-term dataset that improves understanding of species presence and conservation needs.

Fisheries interactions remain a major concern

One of the most important findings of the study is the strong evidence linking many strandings to fisheries interactions.

Of the strandings that could be assessed in detail, more than 65% showed evidence of entanglement or other fisheries-related injuries. Signs included net marks, fishing gear attached to carcasses, and cuts consistent with animals being removed from nets.

The findings reinforce concerns that bycatch remains one of the most significant threats facing marine mammals in the region, particularly coastal species such as finless porpoises, humpback dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, and common dolphins. However, in recent months, threats may have shifted from fishing to pollution and other impacts related to the conflict in the region.

From data to conservation action

Beyond documenting strandings, the study demonstrates the power of regional collaboration and citizen science for marine mammal conservation. The authors highlight the need for continued investment in stranding response capacity, training, monitoring programmes, and collaboration with fishing communities to better understand and reduce threats.

As pressures on marine ecosystems continue to grow, particularly in relation to the recent military actions in the region, long-term datasets such as these provide essential information for informing conservation action and marine spatial planning across the wider Arabian Sea region.

The Arabian Sea Whale Network congratulates Dr. Nazanin Mohsenian, Hamed Moshiri, Gianna Minton, Gill Braulik, and all co-authors and contributors on this significant achievement. Their dedication over many years has resulted in an important contribution to our understanding of marine mammals in Iranian waters and provides a strong foundation for future conservation efforts.

Read the full paper here
Please contact us at infoaswn@gmail.com if you do not have access to this journal and would like a full copy of the paper, and one of the co-authors will share it with you.

For decades, Arabian Sea humpback whales have fascinated scientists because they defy one of the defining characteristics of humpback whales worldwide: long-distance seasonal migration.

A new study by Dr Andrew Willson and several ASWN colleagues, published in Frontiers in Marine Science provides the most detailed picture yet of how these whales move through the Arabian Sea. The findings offer important new insights for their conservation.

Satellite tags deployed on 14 Arabian Sea humpback whales off the coast of Oman, were used to track whale movements. The results confirmed that most individuals remained within a relatively small home range along the coasts of Oman and Yemen, demonstrating an exceptional degree of site fidelity rarely seen in humpback whales elsewhere in the world.

The study found that the Gulf of Masirah and Hallaniyat Bay are particularly important habitats, with whales repeatedly returning to these productive feeding areas. The Arabian Sea’s seasonal upwelling system provides rich feeding opportunities throughout the year, allowing this unique population to survive without undertaking the extensive migrations typical of other humpback whale populations.

Luban’s Extraordinary Journey

The study also reports on one exception among the tagged whales- a female whale named Luban, that travelled across the Arabian Sea to waters off the west coast of India before eventually returning to Oman. Her journey, covering approximately 7,000 kilometres, represents the first direct evidence of an Arabian Sea humpback whale crossing the Arabian Sea.

While previous studies had suggested connections between whale populations in Oman and India through shared song patterns, Luban’s journey provides the first direct evidence of an Arabian Sea humpback whale crossing the Arabian Sea.

Importantly, the study also reinforces the need for coordinated conservation efforts across national boundaries. While most whales appear to spend much of their lives in key habitats off Oman, Luban’s journey demonstrates that at least some individuals move across the wider Arabian Sea, connecting habitats and waters shared by multiple countries.

Why This Matters for Conservation

The findings highlight both the uniqueness and the vulnerability of this population. Arabian Sea humpback whales are listed as ‘Endangered’ on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and number only around 80 individuals off the coast of Oman, making them one of the most threatened whale populations in the world. Understanding where whales spend their time, how they move between habitats, and whether they cross international boundaries is critical for effective conservation planning.

The findings of this study provide valuable information for the implementation of the joint IWC-CMS Regional Arabian Sea Humpback Whale Conservation Management Plan (CMP), which was recently endorsed by the CMS Scientific Council, the CMS Conference of the Parties, and the IWC Scientific Committee.

The CMP recognizes that conserving Arabian Sea humpback whales requires coordinated action across the region. Luban’s journey serves as a powerful reminder that these whales do not recognize political borders, and that successful conservation depends on collaboration among governments, researchers, conservation organizations, and coastal communities throughout the Arabian Sea region.

A Collaborative Effort

The study is also a powerful example of what can be achieved through long-term regional collaboration. The research brought together many ASWN members – scientists, conservation organisations, government agencies, and local partners working across the Arabian Sea region to better understand and protect this extraordinary whale population.

As implementation of the Conservation Management Plan moves forward, studies such as this provide the scientific foundation needed to guide effective conservation action and ensure a safe future for Arabian Sea humpback whales.

Read the full paper, Movement ecology of Arabian Sea humpback whales, available in Frontiers in Marine Science here

The Arabian Sea Whale Network is pleased to announce that the joint regional IWC-CMS Arabian Sea Humpback Whale Conservation Management Plan (CMP) has been formally endorsed by the International Whaling Commission (IWC) Scientific Committee.

The endorsement was published in the recently released Report of the IWC Scientific Committee 2026, which commended the strong collaboration underpinning the development of the CMP and recognised the contributions of the Arabian Sea Whale Network and its broad engagement of scientists, researchers, regional governments, and other stakeholders.

The CMP was first recommended by the IWC Scientific Committee in 2011 and has since been developed through sustained collaboration among range states, the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS), the IWC, and numerous regional and international partners. The Scientific Committee highlighted the continued commitment of stakeholders and range states despite significant regional challenges.

This endorsement marks the third major international milestone for the CMP, following endorsement by the CMS Scientific Council in December 2025 and endorsement by the CMS Conference of the Parties (COP15) in March 2026.

The next steps will be consideration of the CMP by the IWC Conservation Committee and subsequently by the IWC Commission at its meeting in Hobart, Australia, in September – October 2026. If adopted, implementation of the CMP is expected to begin in 2027 through a coordinated programme of conservation actions, governance structures, scientific advisory mechanisms, and regional collaboration.

ASWN extends its sincere thanks to the many researchers, government representatives, conservation practitioners, partner organisations, and network members whose dedication and collaboration made this achievement possible. We also thank the IWC Scientific Committee for its careful review and support of this important regional conservation initiative.

The endorsement represents a significant step forward for one of the world’s most endangered and isolated humpback whale populations and demonstrates the power of regional cooperation in addressing shared conservation challenges.

For more information:

• Read the IWC Scientific Committee Report
• Read the Arabian Sea Humpback Whale CMP

Protecting the Arabian Sea Humpback Whale

The Arabian Sea humpback whale is one of the world’s most endangered whale populations. Unlike other humpback whale populations that migrate seasonally between feeding and breeding grounds, Arabian Sea humpback whales remain in the northern Indian Ocean year-round. This unique population has likely been isolated for thousands of years and faces increasing threats across its range.

The Arabian Sea Whale Network (ASWN) supports regional collaboration to improve understanding and conservation of marine mammals throughout the Arabian Sea. A central priority of the network is the protection of the Arabian Sea humpback whale through coordinated, science-based action.

As part of this commitment, ASWN regional members have worked with range-state government stakeholders to develop a Conservation Management Plan (CMP) to support coordinated conservation action for Arabian Sea humpback whales. Explore the factsheet below to learn more about the CMP, its objectives, and the benefits of regional conservation action.

Download the Factsheet here

We are pleased to share the 2026 edition of the ASWN Newsletter, highlighting recent activities, collaborations, and progress from across the region. This issue places a strong focus on the Arabian Sea Humpback Whale Conservation Management Plan (CMP), which is progressing towards endorsement at upcoming International Whaling Commission (IWC) meetings and aims to support adoption and implementation by range state governments across the region. The newsletter also features updates from ASWN members showcasing ongoing research, stakeholder engagement, and conservation efforts across the Arabian Sea region.

Explore the newsletter to learn about our latest updates!

ASWN Newsletter 2026

The Indian Ocean Humpback Dolphin Conservation Network (HuDoNet) has released its first Network Action Plan, a collaboratively developed framework to guide coordinated research, policy engagement and conservation action for the Endangered Indian Ocean humpback dolphin (Sousa plumbea) across its range.

The Indian Ocean humpback dolphin inhabits shallow coastal waters in the western and northern Indian Ocean, occurring along the coasts of 23 range states from southern Africa to southern Asia, including parts of the Arabian Sea region. Populations are typically small and fragmented and are closely associated with intensively used coastal habitats, making the species particularly vulnerable to fisheries bycatch, habitat degradation, pollution and other human pressures that also impact whales in the Arabian Sea, most notably Arabian Sea humpback whales which are also considered Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. While research and conservation initiatives for Indian Ocean humpback dolphins exist in parts of the range, effort and capacity remain uneven and large areas are still data-poor.

HuDoNet was established in 2023 to help address these challenges by connecting researchers and conservation practitioners working on humpback dolphins across the species’ range. The network currently includes nearly 100 members from 18 countries, including several researchers and practitioners also engaged in the Arabian Sea Whale Network (ASWN), reflecting the overlap in geography, threats and conservation objectives across the region.

The Network Action Plan was developed through a structured planning process adapted from the IUCN Conservation Planning Specialist Group framework. Five thematic working groups — Biological Research; Threats and Solutions; People; Policy; and Network Success — convened a series of online meetings between August 2024 and October 2025 to collate existing knowledge, identify priority gaps and opportunities, and agree on feasible, near-term actions.

Rather than attempting to produce a comprehensive species action plan at this early stage, HuDoNet focused on identifying a limited set of achievable, short- to medium-term actions that could be advanced through collaboration within the existing network. The result is a set of thirteen Priority Actions designed to strengthen the evidence base, support practical threat mitigation, enhance community engagement, leverage existing policy mechanisms, and build the organizational foundations needed for longer-term  conservation planning.

The Priority Actions include initiatives to expand basic knowledge of humpback dolphin distribution and abundance in data-poor regions, facilitate the analysis and publication of existing datasets, and coordinate multi-site studies on key threats such as chemical pollution and fisheries bycatch — issues that are also of concern for multiple cetacean species in the Arabian Sea. Other actions focus on mapping spatial protection measures across the species’ range and improving the consideration of humpback dolphins in Environmental Impact Assessments, offering opportunities for alignment with broader regional conservation efforts.

Recognizing the importance of social and governance dimensions, the Action Plan also includes actions aimed at strengthening access to behaviour-change resources, testing approaches to education and awareness, and improving communication and collaboration both within the network and with external partners.

Figure 1. HuDoNet’s Priority Actions within five Working Group.

By focusing on coordination, knowledge sharing and targeted action, HuDoNet aims to reduce duplication, amplify existing efforts and support more consistent consideration of humpback dolphins in research agendas and management decisions across their range. The Network Action Plan is intended to be a living document that will guide HuDoNet’s activities over the next few years and support closer collaboration with regional initiatives such as the Arabian Sea Whale Network, where shared challenges and complementary mandates create strong opportunities for synergy.

The full HuDoNet Network Action Plan is available at HuDoNet’s Action Plan.

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For more information, contact:
Dr Shanan Atkins
HuDoNET coordinator
iohudonet@gmail.com

+27825763107
www.HuDoNet.org