Rees, A. F.,Al Saady, S.,Broderick, A. C.,Coyne, M. S.,Papathanasopoulou, N.,Godley, B. J.
Behavioural polymorphism in one of the world’s largest populations of loggerhead sea turtles Caretta caretta Journal Article
In: Marine Ecology Progress Series, vol. 418, no. 442, pp. 201-212, 2010.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: caretta caretta, Gulf of Masirah, Loggerhead, marine turtle, Oman, Satellite telemetry, turtles
@article{,
title = {Behavioural polymorphism in one of the world’s largest populations of loggerhead sea turtles Caretta caretta},
author = {Rees, A. F.,Al Saady, S.,Broderick, A. C.,Coyne, M. S.,Papathanasopoulou, N.,Godley, B. J.},
url = {http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/meps/v418/p201-212/},
year = {2010},
date = {2010-01-01},
journal = {Marine Ecology Progress Series},
volume = {418},
number = {442},
pages = {201-212},
abstract = {ABSTRACT: To aid management and conservation of widely distributed marine vertebrate species, it is necessary to have a knowledge and understanding of their spatial ecology. We tracked 10 adult female loggerhead turtles \textit{Caretta caretta} from Masirah Island, Sultanate of Oman, which hosts one of the world’s largest breeding aggregations. Transmitters were specifically deployed early in the nesting season to enable tracking throughout the internesting and post-nesting habitats. Turtles displayed a dichotomy in behaviour during the internesting period, with 6 remaining close to Masirah Island and the others undertaking circuitous oceanic loops, hundreds of kilometres in length. This behaviour did not appear to be related to body size. Tracking-derived minimum clutch frequency was on average (± SD) 4.8 ± 1.2 nests (n = 8 ind.). Post-nesting migrations revealed a propensity towards long-term utilisation of oceanic habitats in the region between Socotra Island (Yemen) and the mainland of Yemen/Oman, with 76 ± 15.4% of time spent in oceanic habitat (n = 8 ind.). The spatial footprint of our tracked turtles was found to be far less than that of a similar number of turtles that were tagged later in the same season (from a separate unpublished study) and from long-distance returns of flipper tags. The spatial and temporal sub-structuring of the population highlights the need for more comprehensive tracking projects, with deployments across the breeding season in multiple years, in order to obtain reliable estimations of high-use foraging habitats of widely dispersed marine vertebrates. Variation in behaviour patterns suggests the need for diverse conservation measures.},
keywords = {caretta caretta, Gulf of Masirah, Loggerhead, marine turtle, Oman, Satellite telemetry, turtles},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
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}
}
Mosseri-Marlio,C.E.
The Fat of the Land? Aspects of sea turtle and dolphin exploitation in Bronze Age Oman PhD Thesis
1999.
Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: dolphin, dolphins, marine, Oman, turtles
@phdthesis{,
title = {The Fat of the Land? Aspects of sea turtle and dolphin exploitation in Bronze Age Oman},
author = {Mosseri-Marlio,C.E.},
year = {1999},
date = {1999-01-01},
number = {420},
pages = {1-67},
publisher = {University of London},
abstract = {The discovery of large quantities of dolphins and sea turtle remains from the Bronze Age levels of Ras al Hadd in eastern Oman has prompted a full investigation into the exploitation of these two animals in the past. Using a standard zooarchaeological approach that has been developed for the examination of terrestrial animals, this study considers not only the use of these marine taxa as food but also the exploitation of their other body parts such as hide, shell and fat for other purposes. Paramount to this discussion is the large quantity of fat. This dissertation represents a different approach to marine resources, since traditionally these have been considered important primarily as food. The ethology of sea turtles and dolphins will also be used to discuss the ways in which these animals were exploited. A comparison with other sites in Arabia and review of early ethnographic accounts of sea turtle and dolphin use completes this study.},
keywords = {dolphin, dolphins, marine, Oman, turtles},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {phdthesis}
}
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}
}
Ministry of Agriculture; Fisheries
Ministerial Decree 4/94: Marine Fishing and Living-Aquatic-Resources Protection law
1994.
Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: fishing gear, mammals, marine, marine mammal, Marine mammals, regulations, turtles
@{,
title = {Ministerial Decree 4/94: Marine Fishing and Living-Aquatic-Resources Protection law},
author = {Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries},
year = {1994},
date = {1994-01-01},
volume = {4/94},
number = {371},
abstract = {Ministerial Decision 4/94, issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, updates Royal Decree No. 53/81, the Marine Fishing and Living Aquatic Resources Protection Law. In addition to prohibiting the hunting of marine mammals (see above) this legislation contains articles pertaining to the licensing of fishermen, fishing vessels, restrictions on certain types of fishing gear and seasonal closures for certain species of fish. A few pertinent articles include:ù A prohibition on capturing any marine resources during their reproductive season (resulting in seasonal closers for lobster and abalone fisheries, and a justification for other seasonal closures on pelagic or demersal species pending research results);ù A prohibition on the use of string nets, monofilament gill nets or the setting of nets at high tide on beaches or lagoons to trap fish on outgoing tides;ù A prohibition on foreign fishing vessels in Omani waters operating without official permit from the MAF;ù A prohibition on the use of foreign/expatriate workers on fishing vessels licensed to conduct artisanal/traditional fishing;ù A prohibition for fishermen to 1) sail into areas allocated to other fishermen with the intent to fish; or 2) to place fishing gear in areas not specifically allocated to them by licence;ù The right of the MAF to require fishermen and dealers to collect and provide any data requested or required by the MAF;ù The right of the MAF to prohibit fishing of certain species, or fishing in certain regions or seasons.},
keywords = {fishing gear, mammals, marine, marine mammal, Marine mammals, regulations, turtles},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {}
}
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}
}
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}
}
Salm,R.V.,Jensen,R.A.C.
Coastal Zone Management Programme: A Framework for Action Technical Report
no. 468, 1991.
Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: cetaceans, coastal zone management, Oman, turtles
@techreport{,
title = {Coastal Zone Management Programme: A Framework for Action},
author = {Salm,R.V.,Jensen,R.A.C.},
year = {1991},
date = {1991-01-01},
number = {468},
publisher = {IUCN, The World Conservation Union, Gland, Switzerland},
abstract = {The document recommends a framework for coordination of coastal zone management in the Sultanate of Oman. Specific recommendations are made for implementation of this framework and the creation of government committees/vehicles/structures to oversee it's implementation. An emphasis is placed on goals and objectives and national management issues.},
keywords = {cetaceans, coastal zone management, Oman, turtles},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {techreport}
}