Wilson,S.C.
Northwest Arabian Sea and Gulf of Oman Book
Pergamon, Elsevier Science, 2000, ISBN: Gianna's files.
Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: Arabian Sea, conservation, coral, enforcement, Fisheries, Indian Ocean, oceanography, Oman
@book{,
title = {Northwest Arabian Sea and Gulf of Oman},
author = {Wilson,S.C.},
issn = {Gianna's files},
year = {2000},
date = {2000-01-01},
journal = {Seas at the Millennium: an Environmental Evaluation: Volume II Regional Chapters: The Indian Ocean to the Pacific},
number = {509},
pages = {17-33},
publisher = {Pergamon, Elsevier Science},
abstract = {The chapter provides a summary of marine and coastal habitats in and bordering the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. General oceanographic/hydrographic features are discussed, with emphasis on the influence of the seasonal monsoons. Industrial, agricultural and social developments likely to affect coastal and marine areas are discussed, with particular attention to fisheries development and the problem of bycatch and overfishing. The region is characterized by few marine protected areas, and poor enforcement of those conservation measures that have been implemented.},
keywords = {Arabian Sea, conservation, coral, enforcement, Fisheries, Indian Ocean, oceanography, Oman},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {book}
}
The chapter provides a summary of marine and coastal habitats in and bordering the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. General oceanographic/hydrographic features are discussed, with emphasis on the influence of the seasonal monsoons. Industrial, agricultural and social developments likely to affect coastal and marine areas are discussed, with particular attention to fisheries development and the problem of bycatch and overfishing. The region is characterized by few marine protected areas, and poor enforcement of those conservation measures that have been implemented.
Wilson,S.C.,Klaus,R.
The Gulf of Aden Book
Pergamon, Elsevier Science, 2000.
Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: Arabian Sea, conservation, coral, dolphin, dolphins, East Africa, enforcement, Fisheries, Gulf of Aden, Indian Ocean, management, marine, mortality, oceanography, Oman, pollution, productivity, Red Sea, turtles
@book{,
title = {The Gulf of Aden},
author = {Wilson,S.C.,Klaus,R.},
year = {2000},
date = {2000-01-01},
journal = {Seas at the Millennium: an Environmental Evaluation: Volume II Regional Chapters: The Indian Ocean to the Pacific},
number = {510},
pages = {47-61},
publisher = {Pergamon, Elsevier Science},
abstract = {The Gulf of Aden lies between southern Arabia and the Horn of Africa and connects with the Red Sea and Indian Ocean. The Socotra Archipelago lies at its entrance, off the Horn of Africa. The largest influence comes from the reversing monsoon system with strong and persistent winds that blow from the southwest in summer, and from the northeast in winter. These also cause a reversal in the direction of surface currents. Associated with the summer monsoon are upwelling areas along the eastern coast of Yemen, and one centred on the Somali coast southwest of Socotra. Both have a profound effect on coastal habitats and stimulate high marine productivity which supports a rich fishery. Marine biodiversity is relatively high since the area is a transition zone between the Red Sea, Southern Arabia and East Africa. Terrestrial diversity, particularly in the flora of Socotra, is also elevated by high levels of endemism. Coasts are mainly exposed sandy beaches separated by rocky headlands. Coral communities and reefs have developed most notably in Djibouti and offshore islands of Somalia. Seagrasses are relatively uncommon, and mangrove stands are most abundant to the west and southwest. A striking feature of rocky shores is the abundant macroalgae that appears following the onset of the Southwest Monsoon in particular. Green turtles nest in tens of thousands, and thousands of dolphins have also recently been observed. Perhaps the most serious single threat to sustainable use of marine resources comes from overfishing, particularly by industrial fleets that operate with or without licenses. Some stocks have collapsed or are showing signs of strain, including cuttlefish, shark and lobster. Wildlife species are also harvested and incidental mortality appears high. Levels of pollution are low except around larger towns where sewage and solid wastes are starting to affect resources. Chronic oil pollution originating from tankers is also cause for concern, but levels appear to be low. Harsh environmental conditions and lack of infrastructure limits exploitation of coastal resources and traditional methods of limiting exploitation are still effective. Political instability and unrest, and lack of funding have hampered coastal management, though a strategic action plan for the conservation and protection of the marine environment has recently been prepared by PERSGA as a crucial first step. There are only two small marine parks in the region, both in Djibouti.},
keywords = {Arabian Sea, conservation, coral, dolphin, dolphins, East Africa, enforcement, Fisheries, Gulf of Aden, Indian Ocean, management, marine, mortality, oceanography, Oman, pollution, productivity, Red Sea, turtles},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {book}
}
The Gulf of Aden lies between southern Arabia and the Horn of Africa and connects with the Red Sea and Indian Ocean. The Socotra Archipelago lies at its entrance, off the Horn of Africa. The largest influence comes from the reversing monsoon system with strong and persistent winds that blow from the southwest in summer, and from the northeast in winter. These also cause a reversal in the direction of surface currents. Associated with the summer monsoon are upwelling areas along the eastern coast of Yemen, and one centred on the Somali coast southwest of Socotra. Both have a profound effect on coastal habitats and stimulate high marine productivity which supports a rich fishery. Marine biodiversity is relatively high since the area is a transition zone between the Red Sea, Southern Arabia and East Africa. Terrestrial diversity, particularly in the flora of Socotra, is also elevated by high levels of endemism. Coasts are mainly exposed sandy beaches separated by rocky headlands. Coral communities and reefs have developed most notably in Djibouti and offshore islands of Somalia. Seagrasses are relatively uncommon, and mangrove stands are most abundant to the west and southwest. A striking feature of rocky shores is the abundant macroalgae that appears following the onset of the Southwest Monsoon in particular. Green turtles nest in tens of thousands, and thousands of dolphins have also recently been observed. Perhaps the most serious single threat to sustainable use of marine resources comes from overfishing, particularly by industrial fleets that operate with or without licenses. Some stocks have collapsed or are showing signs of strain, including cuttlefish, shark and lobster. Wildlife species are also harvested and incidental mortality appears high. Levels of pollution are low except around larger towns where sewage and solid wastes are starting to affect resources. Chronic oil pollution originating from tankers is also cause for concern, but levels appear to be low. Harsh environmental conditions and lack of infrastructure limits exploitation of coastal resources and traditional methods of limiting exploitation are still effective. Political instability and unrest, and lack of funding have hampered coastal management, though a strategic action plan for the conservation and protection of the marine environment has recently been prepared by PERSGA as a crucial first step. There are only two small marine parks in the region, both in Djibouti.
Siddeek,M.S.M.
Marine fisheries resources, fisheries and marine environmental management, coral reefs and marine parks in the Northwest Indian Ocean Technical Report
no. 473, 1999.
Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: coral, Fisheries, Indian Ocean, management, marine, Oman
@techreport{,
title = {Marine fisheries resources, fisheries and marine environmental management, coral reefs and marine parks in the Northwest Indian Ocean},
author = {Siddeek,M.S.M.},
year = {1999},
date = {1999-01-01},
journal = {Presented at the Regional Workshop on Fisheries Monitoring, Control and Surveillance, 24-28 Oct. Muscat, Oman},
number = {473},
abstract = {This report contains much of the same information (and wording!) as reference 471, with some additional information on pelagic fisheries, coral reefs and marine protected areas. Information is only broad and general.},
keywords = {coral, Fisheries, Indian Ocean, management, marine, Oman},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {techreport}
}
This report contains much of the same information (and wording!) as reference 471, with some additional information on pelagic fisheries, coral reefs and marine protected areas. Information is only broad and general.
Al-Jabri,M.
Marine epilithic algal communities on artificial and natural substrates Technical Report
no. 5, 1996.
Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: Arabian Gulf, Arabian Sea, coral, developing, Green turtles, growth, Gulf of Oman, habitat, marine, monitoring, Oman, pollution, productivity, salinity, temperature, turtles
@techreport{,
title = {Marine epilithic algal communities on artificial and natural substrates },
author = {Al-Jabri,M.},
year = {1996},
date = {1996-01-01},
volume = {FSC 1580-91 },
number = {5},
pages = {1-15},
abstract = {INTRODUCTION The Epilithic Algal Community (EAC) of coral reefs are diverse assemblages of small filamentous green, red, blue-green algae ('turf species') and crustose coralline red algal. These have low biomass but show rapid growth rate (Klumpp and Mckinnon, 1989) and this algal community colonizes the reefs and serves as the primary food source for herbivores. The diversity and richness of reef fauna can also be attributed largely to the high productivity of EAC (Klumpp and Mckinnon, 1989); thus the EAC is the major source of food for herbivores such as damselfish, echinoids, surgeonfish (sohal and yellow tail), parrotfish and green turtles. The main algal functional form group (Littler et a¡.,1983) is the filamentous group. In the Arabian Sea, however, there is a diverse algal community of filamentous, sheet-group, coarsely branched group and thick leathery group due to upwelling, (Mardela, 1975, Jupp et al, 1996). The Gulf of Oman does not experience upwelling due to the summer S.W. monsoon, so in this part of Oman, because of the physical conditions prevailing, there are high salinities and temperatures in summer as well as wide temperature variation and, combined with largely sand substrates here, coral reefs are not as widely distributed as in many tropical seas and their growth and diversity is not as great. In spite of this, they still contribute a highly complex community (Sheppard and Salm, 1988). During the past three decades, many of the natural marine habitats in the world and Arabian Gulf in particular are being destroyed, degraded or are actually disappearing as a result of oil pollution, coastal infilling and other activities associated with industrial development. Because the EAC is very important for grazers, many studies on natural reefs and artificial reefs structures including oil platforms, piers, jetties and other coastal installations have been carried out (Seaman and Sprague, 1991). Artificial habitat enhancement has been practiced primarily to attract fishes in various parts of the world, however in Oman there are no studies yet that have been made to understand the mechanisms of attractive effect of artificial structures. In addition, few studies on reef coral community and no detailed study of EAC have been carried out in Oman with studies along the Gulf of Oman just mentioning few macroalgae and green filamentous algae, e.g. Entromorpha (Sheppard and Salm, 1988). On the Gulf of Oman coasts, only sparse clumps of larger macroalgae (>10cm) of sheet-group, coarsely branched and thick leathery groups are found (Mardela, 1975) with, for example, only scattered plants such as Padina and Halymenia (Cordero, 1992). In view of the importance of EAC on natural and artificial reefs this preliminary study will provide valuable baseline biological data about the growth of algae as well as the faunal assemblages that accumulate around artificial substrates. Data from this study would be useful to assist researchers in the future in monitoring herbivorous fish resources as well as the succession of communities developing on artificial reefs.},
keywords = {Arabian Gulf, Arabian Sea, coral, developing, Green turtles, growth, Gulf of Oman, habitat, marine, monitoring, Oman, pollution, productivity, salinity, temperature, turtles},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {techreport}
}
INTRODUCTION The Epilithic Algal Community (EAC) of coral reefs are diverse assemblages of small filamentous green, red, blue-green algae ('turf species') and crustose coralline red algal. These have low biomass but show rapid growth rate (Klumpp and Mckinnon, 1989) and this algal community colonizes the reefs and serves as the primary food source for herbivores. The diversity and richness of reef fauna can also be attributed largely to the high productivity of EAC (Klumpp and Mckinnon, 1989); thus the EAC is the major source of food for herbivores such as damselfish, echinoids, surgeonfish (sohal and yellow tail), parrotfish and green turtles. The main algal functional form group (Littler et a¡.,1983) is the filamentous group. In the Arabian Sea, however, there is a diverse algal community of filamentous, sheet-group, coarsely branched group and thick leathery group due to upwelling, (Mardela, 1975, Jupp et al, 1996). The Gulf of Oman does not experience upwelling due to the summer S.W. monsoon, so in this part of Oman, because of the physical conditions prevailing, there are high salinities and temperatures in summer as well as wide temperature variation and, combined with largely sand substrates here, coral reefs are not as widely distributed as in many tropical seas and their growth and diversity is not as great. In spite of this, they still contribute a highly complex community (Sheppard and Salm, 1988). During the past three decades, many of the natural marine habitats in the world and Arabian Gulf in particular are being destroyed, degraded or are actually disappearing as a result of oil pollution, coastal infilling and other activities associated with industrial development. Because the EAC is very important for grazers, many studies on natural reefs and artificial reefs structures including oil platforms, piers, jetties and other coastal installations have been carried out (Seaman and Sprague, 1991). Artificial habitat enhancement has been practiced primarily to attract fishes in various parts of the world, however in Oman there are no studies yet that have been made to understand the mechanisms of attractive effect of artificial structures. In addition, few studies on reef coral community and no detailed study of EAC have been carried out in Oman with studies along the Gulf of Oman just mentioning few macroalgae and green filamentous algae, e.g. Entromorpha (Sheppard and Salm, 1988). On the Gulf of Oman coasts, only sparse clumps of larger macroalgae (>10cm) of sheet-group, coarsely branched and thick leathery groups are found (Mardela, 1975) with, for example, only scattered plants such as Padina and Halymenia (Cordero, 1992). In view of the importance of EAC on natural and artificial reefs this preliminary study will provide valuable baseline biological data about the growth of algae as well as the faunal assemblages that accumulate around artificial substrates. Data from this study would be useful to assist researchers in the future in monitoring herbivorous fish resources as well as the succession of communities developing on artificial reefs.
Tudhope,A.W.,Lea,D.W.,Shimmield,G.B.,Chilcott,C.P.,Head,S.
Monsoon climate and Arabian Sea coastal upwelling recorded in massive corals from southern Oman Journal Article
In: Palaios, vol. 11, no. 486, pp. 347-361, 1996.
Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: Arabian Sea, coral, India, Oman, surface temperature, temperature, Upwelling
@article{,
title = {Monsoon climate and Arabian Sea coastal upwelling recorded in massive corals from southern Oman},
author = {Tudhope,A.W.,Lea,D.W.,Shimmield,G.B.,Chilcott,C.P.,Head,S.},
year = {1996},
date = {1996-01-01},
journal = {Palaios},
volume = {11},
number = {486},
pages = {347-361},
abstract = {Corals living in the coastal waters of southern Oman experience the influence of the seasonally reversing Asian monsoon system. The objective of the research reported here is to assess the potential for using the skeletal chemistry of these corals to investigate past variability in the monsoon climate. To this end, 20-year long, monthly resolution geochemical records are presented for cores from two massive Porites corals, located 20 km apart near Marbat on the Arabian Sea coast of southern Oman. We consider four aspects of skeletal chemistry: oxygen and carbon isotopic composition, barium content and the nature and occurence of annual fluorescent bands within the coral skeletons. Coral skeletal ë18O documents variations in sea surface temperature which have regional and basin-wide significance. In particular, the ë18O of coral skeleton precipitated during the period of the NE monsoon is strongly correlated with annual rainfall anomalies in India, whilst that precipitated during the period of the SW monsoon appears to provide information on variability in the strength of coastal upwelling. The stable carbon isotope composition and barium content of these particular corals display strong annual cycles, but do not appear to directly record interannual climatic/oceanographic variability. It is concluded that corals on the coast of southern Oman have great potential to provide high-resolution, century-long records of oceanographic and climatic variability associated with the operation of the monsoon climate system.},
keywords = {Arabian Sea, coral, India, Oman, surface temperature, temperature, Upwelling},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Corals living in the coastal waters of southern Oman experience the influence of the seasonally reversing Asian monsoon system. The objective of the research reported here is to assess the potential for using the skeletal chemistry of these corals to investigate past variability in the monsoon climate. To this end, 20-year long, monthly resolution geochemical records are presented for cores from two massive Porites corals, located 20 km apart near Marbat on the Arabian Sea coast of southern Oman. We consider four aspects of skeletal chemistry: oxygen and carbon isotopic composition, barium content and the nature and occurence of annual fluorescent bands within the coral skeletons. Coral skeletal ë18O documents variations in sea surface temperature which have regional and basin-wide significance. In particular, the ë18O of coral skeleton precipitated during the period of the NE monsoon is strongly correlated with annual rainfall anomalies in India, whilst that precipitated during the period of the SW monsoon appears to provide information on variability in the strength of coastal upwelling. The stable carbon isotope composition and barium content of these particular corals display strong annual cycles, but do not appear to directly record interannual climatic/oceanographic variability. It is concluded that corals on the coast of southern Oman have great potential to provide high-resolution, century-long records of oceanographic and climatic variability associated with the operation of the monsoon climate system.
Salm,R.V.,Jensen,R.A.C.,Papastavrou,V.
Marine fauna of Oman: Cetaceans, turtles, seabirds and shallow water corals Technical Report
no. 469, 1993.
Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: cetacean, cetaceans, coastal zone management, coral, dolphin, dolphins, management, marine, minke whale, minke whales, Oman, seabirds, Strandings, survey, turtles, whale, whales
@techreport{,
title = {Marine fauna of Oman: Cetaceans, turtles, seabirds and shallow water corals},
author = {Salm,R.V.,Jensen,R.A.C.,Papastavrou,V.},
year = {1993},
date = {1993-01-01},
number = {469},
pages = {1-66},
publisher = {IUCN},
abstract = {This is the final compilation report that summarises all the data in the sub-reports on cetaceans and turtles etc. Cetacean stranding an sighting info from the surveys conducted between 1984 and 1992. 210 sightings of live cetaceans were made from the shore, boats and helicopters. Most sightings were of animals within four km of shore. The sightings, which were incidental to other coastal zone management studies do not include any related observer effort. The majority of boat-based searching occurred in the capital area, with remaining boat distributed equally between Musandam and Dhofar. There was less observation from boats along the stretch of central coast, but more time spent driving on beaches.There are also 173 records of beached cetacean material. these include the remains of 25 dolphins butchered by fishermen. The sightings and strandings are summarised in a table including 16 species (including both sei and minke whales). 90% of all beached cetacean remains were found south of Ras al Hadd along the central coast, and was most abundant between 20 and 21 N.},
keywords = {cetacean, cetaceans, coastal zone management, coral, dolphin, dolphins, management, marine, minke whale, minke whales, Oman, seabirds, Strandings, survey, turtles, whale, whales},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {techreport}
}
This is the final compilation report that summarises all the data in the sub-reports on cetaceans and turtles etc. Cetacean stranding an sighting info from the surveys conducted between 1984 and 1992. 210 sightings of live cetaceans were made from the shore, boats and helicopters. Most sightings were of animals within four km of shore. The sightings, which were incidental to other coastal zone management studies do not include any related observer effort. The majority of boat-based searching occurred in the capital area, with remaining boat distributed equally between Musandam and Dhofar. There was less observation from boats along the stretch of central coast, but more time spent driving on beaches.There are also 173 records of beached cetacean material. these include the remains of 25 dolphins butchered by fishermen. The sightings and strandings are summarised in a table including 16 species (including both sei and minke whales). 90% of all beached cetacean remains were found south of Ras al Hadd along the central coast, and was most abundant between 20 and 21 N.
Salm,R.V.
Impact of fisheries on the environment and wildlife: Sultanate of Oman Technical Report
no. 467, 1992.
Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: by-catch, cetaceans, coastal zone management, coral, Fisheries, mortality, Oman, turtles
@techreport{,
title = {Impact of fisheries on the environment and wildlife: Sultanate of Oman},
author = {Salm,R.V.},
year = {1992},
date = {1992-01-01},
journal = {Scientific Results of the IUCN Coastal Zone Management Project},
volume = {CZMP4:F17},
number = {467},
pages = {1-19},
abstract = {The report highlights fisheries related damage to coral communities, and fisheries related mortality of turtles and cetaceans in the Sultanate of Oman. It includes detailed tables of dead turtles and dead cetaceans showing evidence of direct harvest, found during the IUCN Coastal Zone Management Survey, conducted in Oman between 1987 and 1991.},
keywords = {by-catch, cetaceans, coastal zone management, coral, Fisheries, mortality, Oman, turtles},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {techreport}
}
The report highlights fisheries related damage to coral communities, and fisheries related mortality of turtles and cetaceans in the Sultanate of Oman. It includes detailed tables of dead turtles and dead cetaceans showing evidence of direct harvest, found during the IUCN Coastal Zone Management Survey, conducted in Oman between 1987 and 1991.