Baldwin, R.,Willson, A.,Al Baluchi, A.,Al Jabri, A.
Planning for responsible humpback whale watching in Oman Technical Report
no. 311, 2017, ISBN: SC/67A/WW/03.
Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: Arabian Gulf, Arabian Sea, disturbance, Humpback Whale, megaptera novaeangliae, Threat assessment, tourism, Whale watching
@techreport{,
title = {Planning for responsible humpback whale watching in Oman},
author = {Baldwin, R.,Willson, A.,Al Baluchi, A.,Al Jabri, A.},
issn = { SC/67A/WW/03},
year = {2017},
date = {2017-01-01},
journal = {Document presented to the meeting of the Scientific Committee of the International Whaling Commission},
number = {311},
pages = {17},
abstract = {The emerging whale watching industry in Oman includes one small-scale tour operator targeting
Endangered Arabian Sea humpback whales, as well as other operators that opportunistically encounter this
species. Guidelines for whale watching in Oman were developed in 2013/14 as part of an IWC-supported
project that also included awareness-raising and initial training of tour operators and vessel captains in key
locations. This formed the basis of the current study which aims to identify requirements to minimise the
potentially negative impacts of whale watching on Arabian Sea humpback whales specifically, whilst also
highlighting some key business approaches for achieving responsibly-managed whale watching in Oman.
The whale watching industry in Oman has potential for growth and should be appropriately guided in
advance of expansion. A road map of actions towards this goal is outlined, aimed at government and
private sector stakeholders. Recommendations are also made for monitoring and controlling whale
watching activities pending further research. Further training of operators (especially vessel captains) is
still required to ensure responsible boat handling around whales and improved planning towards a more
sustainable industry. The use of whale watching vessel as a platform for collection of scientific data has
been initiated at one location. Draft regulations to help govern the industry in Oman have been prepared
and are under review by Oman’s Ministry of Environment and Climate Affairs. Although focused on
humpback whales, the study also recommends that results are applied to other species and identifies
priorities for data collection to fill existing knowledge gaps.},
keywords = {Arabian Gulf, Arabian Sea, disturbance, Humpback Whale, megaptera novaeangliae, Threat assessment, tourism, Whale watching},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {techreport}
}
The emerging whale watching industry in Oman includes one small-scale tour operator targeting
Endangered Arabian Sea humpback whales, as well as other operators that opportunistically encounter this
species. Guidelines for whale watching in Oman were developed in 2013/14 as part of an IWC-supported
project that also included awareness-raising and initial training of tour operators and vessel captains in key
locations. This formed the basis of the current study which aims to identify requirements to minimise the
potentially negative impacts of whale watching on Arabian Sea humpback whales specifically, whilst also
highlighting some key business approaches for achieving responsibly-managed whale watching in Oman.
The whale watching industry in Oman has potential for growth and should be appropriately guided in
advance of expansion. A road map of actions towards this goal is outlined, aimed at government and
private sector stakeholders. Recommendations are also made for monitoring and controlling whale
watching activities pending further research. Further training of operators (especially vessel captains) is
still required to ensure responsible boat handling around whales and improved planning towards a more
sustainable industry. The use of whale watching vessel as a platform for collection of scientific data has
been initiated at one location. Draft regulations to help govern the industry in Oman have been prepared
and are under review by Oman’s Ministry of Environment and Climate Affairs. Although focused on
humpback whales, the study also recommends that results are applied to other species and identifies
priorities for data collection to fill existing knowledge gaps.
Endangered Arabian Sea humpback whales, as well as other operators that opportunistically encounter this
species. Guidelines for whale watching in Oman were developed in 2013/14 as part of an IWC-supported
project that also included awareness-raising and initial training of tour operators and vessel captains in key
locations. This formed the basis of the current study which aims to identify requirements to minimise the
potentially negative impacts of whale watching on Arabian Sea humpback whales specifically, whilst also
highlighting some key business approaches for achieving responsibly-managed whale watching in Oman.
The whale watching industry in Oman has potential for growth and should be appropriately guided in
advance of expansion. A road map of actions towards this goal is outlined, aimed at government and
private sector stakeholders. Recommendations are also made for monitoring and controlling whale
watching activities pending further research. Further training of operators (especially vessel captains) is
still required to ensure responsible boat handling around whales and improved planning towards a more
sustainable industry. The use of whale watching vessel as a platform for collection of scientific data has
been initiated at one location. Draft regulations to help govern the industry in Oman have been prepared
and are under review by Oman’s Ministry of Environment and Climate Affairs. Although focused on
humpback whales, the study also recommends that results are applied to other species and identifies
priorities for data collection to fill existing knowledge gaps.
Ilangakoon, A. D.
Impacts of Whale-Watching on Blue Whales (Balaenoptera musculus) off Southern Sri Lanka Conference
no. 115, 2013.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Arabian Sea, balaenoptera musculus, Blue whale, impact, management, Northern Indian Ocean, risk assessment, ship strike, shipping, Sri Lanka, tourism, Whale watching
@conference{,
title = {Impacts of Whale-Watching on Blue Whales (Balaenoptera musculus) off Southern Sri Lanka},
author = {Ilangakoon, A. D. },
url = {https://repository.kulib.kyoto-u.ac.jp/dspace/bitstream/2433/176191/1/12thseastar_045.pdf},
year = {2013},
date = {2013-01-01},
journal = {PROCEEDINGS of the Design Symposium on Conservation of Ecosystem (2013) (The 12th SEASTAR2000 workshop)},
number = {115},
pages = {45-50},
abstract = {Blue whales inhabit the coastal waters off southern Sri Lanka throughout the year, due to a narrow
continental shelf and upwelling, related feeding opportunities. A busy, international shipping lane also
lies off the south coast. While blue whales are listed on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, the
subspecies status and genetic affinities of this northern Indian Ocean population is not well
understood. Since 2009 a rapidly expanding, boat-based, commercial whale-watching industry has
developed off the south coast, but remains unregulated due to the non-existence of national
regulations or codes of conduct. As a result, unethical practices are leading to harassment of the
targeted whales. Comparison of sightings data from before and after whale-watching began, shows a
shift in the area of occurrence and concentration of whales. Simultaneously there is an increase in the
number of stranding and vessel collision related mortality. These factors indicate that current whalewatching
practices are displacing whales from their preferred feeding areas and inadvertently pushing
them offshore into the shipping lane, causing an increase in fatal vessel collisions. It is recommended
that a precautionary principal is followed and whale-watching activities are regulated as a priority, in
order to mitigate any adverse impacts. },
keywords = {Arabian Sea, balaenoptera musculus, Blue whale, impact, management, Northern Indian Ocean, risk assessment, ship strike, shipping, Sri Lanka, tourism, Whale watching},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {conference}
}
Blue whales inhabit the coastal waters off southern Sri Lanka throughout the year, due to a narrow
continental shelf and upwelling, related feeding opportunities. A busy, international shipping lane also
lies off the south coast. While blue whales are listed on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, the
subspecies status and genetic affinities of this northern Indian Ocean population is not well
understood. Since 2009 a rapidly expanding, boat-based, commercial whale-watching industry has
developed off the south coast, but remains unregulated due to the non-existence of national
regulations or codes of conduct. As a result, unethical practices are leading to harassment of the
targeted whales. Comparison of sightings data from before and after whale-watching began, shows a
shift in the area of occurrence and concentration of whales. Simultaneously there is an increase in the
number of stranding and vessel collision related mortality. These factors indicate that current whalewatching
practices are displacing whales from their preferred feeding areas and inadvertently pushing
them offshore into the shipping lane, causing an increase in fatal vessel collisions. It is recommended
that a precautionary principal is followed and whale-watching activities are regulated as a priority, in
order to mitigate any adverse impacts.
continental shelf and upwelling, related feeding opportunities. A busy, international shipping lane also
lies off the south coast. While blue whales are listed on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, the
subspecies status and genetic affinities of this northern Indian Ocean population is not well
understood. Since 2009 a rapidly expanding, boat-based, commercial whale-watching industry has
developed off the south coast, but remains unregulated due to the non-existence of national
regulations or codes of conduct. As a result, unethical practices are leading to harassment of the
targeted whales. Comparison of sightings data from before and after whale-watching began, shows a
shift in the area of occurrence and concentration of whales. Simultaneously there is an increase in the
number of stranding and vessel collision related mortality. These factors indicate that current whalewatching
practices are displacing whales from their preferred feeding areas and inadvertently pushing
them offshore into the shipping lane, causing an increase in fatal vessel collisions. It is recommended
that a precautionary principal is followed and whale-watching activities are regulated as a priority, in
order to mitigate any adverse impacts.
Dans, Silvana Laura,Degrati, Mariana,Pedraza, Susana NoemÍ,Crespo, Enrique Alberto
Effects of Tour Boats on Dolphin Activity Examined with Sensitivity Analysis of Markov Chains Journal Article
In: Conservation Biology, vol. 26, no. 356, pp. 708-716, 2012, ISBN: 1523-1739.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: activity budget, Argentina, disturbance, dolphin watching, dusky dolphins, impact, Lagenorhynchus obscurus, management, Patagonia, sensitivity analysis, stochastic matrix models, Threats, tourism, Whale watching
@article{,
title = {Effects of Tour Boats on Dolphin Activity Examined with Sensitivity Analysis of Markov Chains},
author = {Dans, Silvana Laura,Degrati, Mariana,Pedraza, Susana NoemÍ,Crespo, Enrique Alberto},
url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1523-1739.2012.01844.x},
issn = {1523-1739},
year = {2012},
date = {2012-01-01},
journal = {Conservation Biology},
volume = {26},
number = {356},
pages = {708-716},
publisher = {Blackwell Publishing Inc},
abstract = {In Patagonia, Argentina, watching dolphins, especially dusky dolphins (Lagenorhynchus obscurus), is a new tourist activity. Feeding time decreases and time to return to feeding after feeding is abandoned and time it takes a group of dolphins to feed increase in the presence of boats. Such effects on feeding behavior may exert energetic costs on dolphins and thus reduce an individual's survival and reproductive capacity or maybe associated with shifts in distribution. We sought to predict which behavioral changes modify the activity pattern of dolphins the most. We modeled behavioral sequences of dusky dolphins with Markov chains. We calculated transition probabilities from one activity to another and arranged them in a stochastic matrix model. The proportion of time dolphins dedicated to a given activity (activity budget) and the time it took a dolphin to resume that activity after it had been abandoned (recurrence time) were calculated. We used a sensitivity analysis of Markov chains to calculate the sensitivity of the time budget and the activity-resumption time to changes in behavioral transition probabilities. Feeding-time budget was most sensitive to changes in the probability of dolphins switching from traveling to feeding behavior and of maintaining feeding behavior. Thus, an increase in these probabilities would be associated with the largest reduction in the time dedicated to feeding. A reduction in the probability of changing from traveling to feeding would also be associated with the largest increases in the time it takes dolphins to resume feeding. To approach dolphins when they are traveling would not affect behavior less because presence of the boat may keep dolphins from returning to feeding. Our results may help operators of dolphin-watching vessels minimize negative effects on dolphins.
Resumen: La observación de delfines, especialmente Lagenorhynchus obscurus, es una actividad turística nueva en Patagonia, Argentina. En presencia de barcos, el tiempo de alimentación disminuye y el tiempo para volver a alimentarse después de abandonar la alimentación y el tiempo que toma un grupo de delfines para alimentarse aumentan. Tales efectos sobre la conducta de alimentación puede implicar costos energéticos en los delfines y por lo tanto reducir la supervivencia y la capacidad reproductiva de un individuo o quizá asociarse con cambios en la distribución. Tratamos de predecir los cambios conductuales que más modifican el patrón de actividad de los delfines. Modelamos secuencias conductuales de delfines mediante cadenas de Markov. Calculamos las probabilidades de transición de una actividad a otra y las acomodamos en un modelo matricial estocástico. Calculamos la proporción de tiempo que los delfines dedicaron a una actividad determinada (presupuesto de actividad) y el tiempo que le llevó a un delfín reanudar esa actividad después de abandonarla (tiempo de recurrencia). Utilizamos un análisis de sensibilidad de cadenas de Markov para calcular la sensibilidad del presupuesto de tiempo y el tiempo de reanudación de la actividad a los cambios de las probabilidades de transición conductual. El presupuesto de tiempo para alimentación fue más sensible a los cambios en la probabilidad de que los delfines cambien de conducta de traslado a conducta de alimentación y de que mantengan la conducta de alimentación. Por lo tanto, un incremento en esas probabilidades pudiera ser asociada con la mayor reducción en el tiempo dedicado a la alimentación. Una reducción en la probabilidad de cambiar de traslado a alimentación también estaría asociada con los mayores incrementos en el tiempo que toman los delfines para reanudar la alimentación. Acercarse a los delfines cuando se están trasladando no afectaría menos su conducta porque la presencia del barco puede evitar que los delfines regresen a alimentarse. Nuestros resultados pueden ayudar a que los operadores de embarcaciones para observación de delfines minimicen los efectos negativos sobre los delfines.},
keywords = {activity budget, Argentina, disturbance, dolphin watching, dusky dolphins, impact, Lagenorhynchus obscurus, management, Patagonia, sensitivity analysis, stochastic matrix models, Threats, tourism, Whale watching},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
In Patagonia, Argentina, watching dolphins, especially dusky dolphins (Lagenorhynchus obscurus), is a new tourist activity. Feeding time decreases and time to return to feeding after feeding is abandoned and time it takes a group of dolphins to feed increase in the presence of boats. Such effects on feeding behavior may exert energetic costs on dolphins and thus reduce an individual's survival and reproductive capacity or maybe associated with shifts in distribution. We sought to predict which behavioral changes modify the activity pattern of dolphins the most. We modeled behavioral sequences of dusky dolphins with Markov chains. We calculated transition probabilities from one activity to another and arranged them in a stochastic matrix model. The proportion of time dolphins dedicated to a given activity (activity budget) and the time it took a dolphin to resume that activity after it had been abandoned (recurrence time) were calculated. We used a sensitivity analysis of Markov chains to calculate the sensitivity of the time budget and the activity-resumption time to changes in behavioral transition probabilities. Feeding-time budget was most sensitive to changes in the probability of dolphins switching from traveling to feeding behavior and of maintaining feeding behavior. Thus, an increase in these probabilities would be associated with the largest reduction in the time dedicated to feeding. A reduction in the probability of changing from traveling to feeding would also be associated with the largest increases in the time it takes dolphins to resume feeding. To approach dolphins when they are traveling would not affect behavior less because presence of the boat may keep dolphins from returning to feeding. Our results may help operators of dolphin-watching vessels minimize negative effects on dolphins.
Resumen: La observación de delfines, especialmente Lagenorhynchus obscurus, es una actividad turística nueva en Patagonia, Argentina. En presencia de barcos, el tiempo de alimentación disminuye y el tiempo para volver a alimentarse después de abandonar la alimentación y el tiempo que toma un grupo de delfines para alimentarse aumentan. Tales efectos sobre la conducta de alimentación puede implicar costos energéticos en los delfines y por lo tanto reducir la supervivencia y la capacidad reproductiva de un individuo o quizá asociarse con cambios en la distribución. Tratamos de predecir los cambios conductuales que más modifican el patrón de actividad de los delfines. Modelamos secuencias conductuales de delfines mediante cadenas de Markov. Calculamos las probabilidades de transición de una actividad a otra y las acomodamos en un modelo matricial estocástico. Calculamos la proporción de tiempo que los delfines dedicaron a una actividad determinada (presupuesto de actividad) y el tiempo que le llevó a un delfín reanudar esa actividad después de abandonarla (tiempo de recurrencia). Utilizamos un análisis de sensibilidad de cadenas de Markov para calcular la sensibilidad del presupuesto de tiempo y el tiempo de reanudación de la actividad a los cambios de las probabilidades de transición conductual. El presupuesto de tiempo para alimentación fue más sensible a los cambios en la probabilidad de que los delfines cambien de conducta de traslado a conducta de alimentación y de que mantengan la conducta de alimentación. Por lo tanto, un incremento en esas probabilidades pudiera ser asociada con la mayor reducción en el tiempo dedicado a la alimentación. Una reducción en la probabilidad de cambiar de traslado a alimentación también estaría asociada con los mayores incrementos en el tiempo que toman los delfines para reanudar la alimentación. Acercarse a los delfines cuando se están trasladando no afectaría menos su conducta porque la presencia del barco puede evitar que los delfines regresen a alimentarse. Nuestros resultados pueden ayudar a que los operadores de embarcaciones para observación de delfines minimicen los efectos negativos sobre los delfines.
Resumen: La observación de delfines, especialmente Lagenorhynchus obscurus, es una actividad turística nueva en Patagonia, Argentina. En presencia de barcos, el tiempo de alimentación disminuye y el tiempo para volver a alimentarse después de abandonar la alimentación y el tiempo que toma un grupo de delfines para alimentarse aumentan. Tales efectos sobre la conducta de alimentación puede implicar costos energéticos en los delfines y por lo tanto reducir la supervivencia y la capacidad reproductiva de un individuo o quizá asociarse con cambios en la distribución. Tratamos de predecir los cambios conductuales que más modifican el patrón de actividad de los delfines. Modelamos secuencias conductuales de delfines mediante cadenas de Markov. Calculamos las probabilidades de transición de una actividad a otra y las acomodamos en un modelo matricial estocástico. Calculamos la proporción de tiempo que los delfines dedicaron a una actividad determinada (presupuesto de actividad) y el tiempo que le llevó a un delfín reanudar esa actividad después de abandonarla (tiempo de recurrencia). Utilizamos un análisis de sensibilidad de cadenas de Markov para calcular la sensibilidad del presupuesto de tiempo y el tiempo de reanudación de la actividad a los cambios de las probabilidades de transición conductual. El presupuesto de tiempo para alimentación fue más sensible a los cambios en la probabilidad de que los delfines cambien de conducta de traslado a conducta de alimentación y de que mantengan la conducta de alimentación. Por lo tanto, un incremento en esas probabilidades pudiera ser asociada con la mayor reducción en el tiempo dedicado a la alimentación. Una reducción en la probabilidad de cambiar de traslado a alimentación también estaría asociada con los mayores incrementos en el tiempo que toman los delfines para reanudar la alimentación. Acercarse a los delfines cuando se están trasladando no afectaría menos su conducta porque la presencia del barco puede evitar que los delfines regresen a alimentarse. Nuestros resultados pueden ayudar a que los operadores de embarcaciones para observación de delfines minimicen los efectos negativos sobre los delfines.
Ponnampalam, Louisa S.
Dolphin Watching in Muscat, Sultanate of Oman: Tourist Perceptions and Actual Current Practice Journal Article
In: Tourism in Marine Environments, vol. 7, no. 435, pp. 81-93, 2011.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: disturbance, dolphin watching, guidelines, impact, interview Survey, management, Oman, Perception, Questionnaire, Sea of Oman, Sultanate of Oman, tourism, Whale watching
@article{,
title = {Dolphin Watching in Muscat, Sultanate of Oman: Tourist Perceptions and Actual Current Practice},
author = {Ponnampalam, Louisa S.},
url = {http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/cog/tme/2011/00000007/00000002/art00003,https://doi.org/10.3727/154427311X13038402065866},
year = {2011},
date = {2011-01-01},
journal = {Tourism in Marine Environments},
volume = {7},
number = {435},
pages = {81-93},
abstract = {Tourists who went dolphin watching in Muscat between December 2006 and June 2007 were asked to complete a questionnaire gauging the overall quality of their trips based on four main aspects: safety, educational value, perception of the boat driver's behavior, and overall satisfaction. Results showed that most tourists were satisfied with their dolphin-watching trip and that the majority felt that the boat drivers maintained a good distance between the boat and the dolphins, yet most also expressed the view that official guidelines should be established and implemented. However, awareness levels of tourists regarding the existence of dolphin-watching guidelines were low and tourist perceptions of their trips contrasted with observed practices, which reveal the current industry standards in Muscat to be lacking in many respects. The contrast is discussed and recommendations made for raising industry standards.},
keywords = {disturbance, dolphin watching, guidelines, impact, interview Survey, management, Oman, Perception, Questionnaire, Sea of Oman, Sultanate of Oman, tourism, Whale watching},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Tourists who went dolphin watching in Muscat between December 2006 and June 2007 were asked to complete a questionnaire gauging the overall quality of their trips based on four main aspects: safety, educational value, perception of the boat driver's behavior, and overall satisfaction. Results showed that most tourists were satisfied with their dolphin-watching trip and that the majority felt that the boat drivers maintained a good distance between the boat and the dolphins, yet most also expressed the view that official guidelines should be established and implemented. However, awareness levels of tourists regarding the existence of dolphin-watching guidelines were low and tourist perceptions of their trips contrasted with observed practices, which reveal the current industry standards in Muscat to be lacking in many respects. The contrast is discussed and recommendations made for raising industry standards.
Ponnampalam, L. S.
Ecological studies and conservation of small cetaceans in the Sultanate of Oman, with special reference to spinner dolphins, PhD Thesis
2009.
Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: Arabian Sea, diet, dolphin watching, Fisheries, Gulf of Oman, Oman, Spinner dolphin, Stenella longirostris, stomach contents, tourism, Whale watching
@phdthesis{,
title = {Ecological studies and conservation of small cetaceans in the Sultanate of Oman, with special reference to spinner dolphins, },
author = {Ponnampalam, L. S.},
year = {2009},
date = {2009-01-01},
journal = {University Marine Biological Station, Millport},
number = {434},
pages = {347},
publisher = {University of London},
abstract = {Small boat surveys were conducted in two main areas in Oman from 2004 to 2006: (1) the
Muscat capital area and (2) the Gulf of Masirah. Thirteen cetacean species were sighted during
surveys, comprising three species of mysticetes and ten species of odontocetes. Analyses of
sightings data relative to bathymetric and environmental variables revealed habitat trends in the
five most frequently encountered species. A previously undocumented calving ground for
Bryde’s whales was also revealed in the Gulf of Masirah.
Spinner dolphins in the Muscat capital area were consistently present nearshore in the mornings,
but moved offshore as the day progressed. ‘Resting’ behaviour occurred in the morning, although
‘resting’ probably also occurred during long periods of ‘slow travel’. ‘Feeding’ was confined to
the late afternoon, over deeper waters. Stomach contents of bottlenose, Indo-Pacific humpback
and spinner dolphins revealed a highly piscivorous diet. Bottlenose dolphin diet comprised prey
from a wide variety of habitats. Stomach contents of humpback dolphins concurred with their
shallow water, turbid habitats, while stomach contents of spinner dolphins indicated that their
movements offshore were to feed on organisms of the mesopelagic layer.
Spinner dolphins rested less and ‘milled’ significantly more when boat numbers around them
increased. While 82.8% of questionnaire respondents stated that the boat driver maintained a
good distance from the dolphins, only 25.4% were aware of legal guidelines. Most respondents
felt that legal guidelines should be in use and would have opted to join tours with companies
accredited as ‘responsible operators’. Omani fishermen around Muscat said that spinner dolphins
were the most frequent cetacean species in bycatch, usually in gillnets. Interviews also revealed
that fishermen elsewhere targeted dolphins for shark bait.
Scientific research, monitoring and cooperation between scientists, stakeholders and
governmental bodies is necessary to ensure proper conservation and management of cetaceans in
Oman.},
keywords = {Arabian Sea, diet, dolphin watching, Fisheries, Gulf of Oman, Oman, Spinner dolphin, Stenella longirostris, stomach contents, tourism, Whale watching},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {phdthesis}
}
Small boat surveys were conducted in two main areas in Oman from 2004 to 2006: (1) the
Muscat capital area and (2) the Gulf of Masirah. Thirteen cetacean species were sighted during
surveys, comprising three species of mysticetes and ten species of odontocetes. Analyses of
sightings data relative to bathymetric and environmental variables revealed habitat trends in the
five most frequently encountered species. A previously undocumented calving ground for
Bryde’s whales was also revealed in the Gulf of Masirah.
Spinner dolphins in the Muscat capital area were consistently present nearshore in the mornings,
but moved offshore as the day progressed. ‘Resting’ behaviour occurred in the morning, although
‘resting’ probably also occurred during long periods of ‘slow travel’. ‘Feeding’ was confined to
the late afternoon, over deeper waters. Stomach contents of bottlenose, Indo-Pacific humpback
and spinner dolphins revealed a highly piscivorous diet. Bottlenose dolphin diet comprised prey
from a wide variety of habitats. Stomach contents of humpback dolphins concurred with their
shallow water, turbid habitats, while stomach contents of spinner dolphins indicated that their
movements offshore were to feed on organisms of the mesopelagic layer.
Spinner dolphins rested less and ‘milled’ significantly more when boat numbers around them
increased. While 82.8% of questionnaire respondents stated that the boat driver maintained a
good distance from the dolphins, only 25.4% were aware of legal guidelines. Most respondents
felt that legal guidelines should be in use and would have opted to join tours with companies
accredited as ‘responsible operators’. Omani fishermen around Muscat said that spinner dolphins
were the most frequent cetacean species in bycatch, usually in gillnets. Interviews also revealed
that fishermen elsewhere targeted dolphins for shark bait.
Scientific research, monitoring and cooperation between scientists, stakeholders and
governmental bodies is necessary to ensure proper conservation and management of cetaceans in
Oman.
Muscat capital area and (2) the Gulf of Masirah. Thirteen cetacean species were sighted during
surveys, comprising three species of mysticetes and ten species of odontocetes. Analyses of
sightings data relative to bathymetric and environmental variables revealed habitat trends in the
five most frequently encountered species. A previously undocumented calving ground for
Bryde’s whales was also revealed in the Gulf of Masirah.
Spinner dolphins in the Muscat capital area were consistently present nearshore in the mornings,
but moved offshore as the day progressed. ‘Resting’ behaviour occurred in the morning, although
‘resting’ probably also occurred during long periods of ‘slow travel’. ‘Feeding’ was confined to
the late afternoon, over deeper waters. Stomach contents of bottlenose, Indo-Pacific humpback
and spinner dolphins revealed a highly piscivorous diet. Bottlenose dolphin diet comprised prey
from a wide variety of habitats. Stomach contents of humpback dolphins concurred with their
shallow water, turbid habitats, while stomach contents of spinner dolphins indicated that their
movements offshore were to feed on organisms of the mesopelagic layer.
Spinner dolphins rested less and ‘milled’ significantly more when boat numbers around them
increased. While 82.8% of questionnaire respondents stated that the boat driver maintained a
good distance from the dolphins, only 25.4% were aware of legal guidelines. Most respondents
felt that legal guidelines should be in use and would have opted to join tours with companies
accredited as ‘responsible operators’. Omani fishermen around Muscat said that spinner dolphins
were the most frequent cetacean species in bycatch, usually in gillnets. Interviews also revealed
that fishermen elsewhere targeted dolphins for shark bait.
Scientific research, monitoring and cooperation between scientists, stakeholders and
governmental bodies is necessary to ensure proper conservation and management of cetaceans in
Oman.
Cressey,J.
Whale and Dolphin Eco-tourism in the Sultanate of Oman Technical Report
no. 354, 2000.
Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: eco-tourism, Oman, tourism, Whale watching
@techreport{,
title = {Whale and Dolphin Eco-tourism in the Sultanate of Oman},
author = {Cressey,J.},
year = {2000},
date = {2000-01-01},
journal = {Report to the Directorate General of Tourism, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Oman},
number = {354},
abstract = {The report reviews the current status of cetacean eco-tourism in Oman, and assesses its potential for growth based on experiences in other developing countries with established whale-watching industries. Recommendations are made for the development of guidelines, maximum numbers of operators, and the inclusion of educational elements to tours. The report also discusses marketing strategies and the importance of offering a high standard of service.},
keywords = {eco-tourism, Oman, tourism, Whale watching},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {techreport}
}
The report reviews the current status of cetacean eco-tourism in Oman, and assesses its potential for growth based on experiences in other developing countries with established whale-watching industries. Recommendations are made for the development of guidelines, maximum numbers of operators, and the inclusion of educational elements to tours. The report also discusses marketing strategies and the importance of offering a high standard of service.