@techreport{,

title = {Seasonal distribution and population characteristics of humpback whales in Oman},

author = {Minton,G.,Collins,T.J.Q.,Findlay,K.P.,Baldwin,R,Ersts,P.J.,Rosenbaum,H.C.},

issn = {SC/A06/HW48},

year  = {2006},

date = {2006-01-01},

journal = {Document presented to the Workshop on the Comprehensive Assessment of Southern Hemisphere Humpback Whales, Hobart, Australia, April 2006},

volume = {SC/A06/HW48},

number = {413},

pages = {1-48},

abstract = {Previously published data on the occurrence of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in the Arabian Sea suggest that the region hosts a non-migratory population that adheres to a Northern Hemisphere breeding cycle.  Twelve small boat surveys were conducted at three main locations off the coast of Oman between February 2000 and November 2004 to investigate the distribution and seasonal abundance of humpback whales and other cetaceans.     An even ratio of males and females were observed and sampled during surveys in the Gulf of Masirah in October and November (n=38), while almost all whales sampled in Dhofar February/March were male (n=28). Song was detected frequently in the Kuria Muria Bay in February/March, but observations of mother-calf pairs were sparse, and competitive groups were absent.  Feeding was observed in both October/November and February/March, but behavioural and environmental observations indicate that the Gulf of Masirah is primarily an important feeding ground, while the Dhofar region, particularly the Kuria Muria Bay, appears to be a breeding area.  However, a lack of recent observations of both mother-calf pairs and competitive groups raises the possibility that the primary mating, calving and nursing areas are yet to be identified.     Of the 64 whales that have been identified using photographs of dorsal fins or tail flukes, six individuals have been observed on at least two surveys, four individuals on three surveys, one on four surveys and one on five separate surveys. Individually identified whales were re-sighted in both the Gulf of Masirah and Dhofar at different times of the year and across survey years, indicating year-round residence off the coast of Oman.       A Chapman's modified Petersen estimator was applied to various data pairings to calculate abundance in the areas surveyed.  All pairings yielded estimates of less than 100 individuals, but sample sizes were small there are various sources of possible bias.  Analysis of scarring on the caudal peduncle region of individually identified whales in Oman indicate that between 30 and 40% of identified whales are likely to have been involved in entanglements with fishing gear.      Comparison of the Oman photo-identification catalogue with those from Zanzibar, Antongil Bay (Madagascar) and Mayotte and the Geyser Atoll (Comoros Archipelago), yielded no photographic matches, and support the hypothesis of a discrete population as did comparison of the distribution of fluke pigmentation rankings from the Oman catalogue, which varied significantly from those of Madagascar and Mayotte.     In general the data examined in this study suggest that the population or sub-population of humpback whales off the coast of Oman is resident year-round, small and potentially discrete, warranting further research and conservation efforts.},

keywords = {Australia, cetacean, Distribution, habitat, habitat preference, habitat preferences, Humpback Whale, humpback whales, Oman, population, population characteristics, Southern Hemisphere, whale, whales},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {techreport}

}

@techreport{,

title = {National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan},

author = {Ministry of Regional Municipalities and Environment},

year  = {2001},

date = {2001-01-01},

volume = {86/2001},

number = {369},

pages = {1-56},

abstract = {Executive Summary Implementing the Convention on Biological Diversity Biodiversity supports human societies ecologically, economically, culturally and spiritually. Despite its importance, ecosystems are degrading and the species and genetic diversity reducing at an alarming rate due to the impact of growing human population and increasing resource consumption. The global decline of biodiversity is now recognized as one of the most serious environmental issues facing humanity. This inspired the global community to negotiate the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity. Delegation from Oman actively participated in these negotiations and the Government of Oman signed the Convention in June 1992 and ratified it in 1994. The three objectives of the Biodiversity Convention are: -the conservation of biodiversity; -the sustainable use of biological resources; and -the fair and equitable sharing of benefits resulting from the use of genetic resources. These objectives form the three pillars of sustainable development, ecological integrity, economic sustainability and social equity thus illustrating the nature and scope of the Convention. As a global instrument, it sets the stage for each nation to assess the adequacy of current efforts to conserve biodiversity and sustainable use of biological resources and to determine how inadequacies will be rectified. One of the key obligations of the signatory parties to the Convention is to prepare a national biodiversity strategy and action plan. Thus, the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan is a response to this obligation. It has been developed to guide the implementation of the Biodiversity Convention in Oman. All strategic directions contained in the Strategy are relevant from a national perspective. The National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan recognizes existing constitutional and legislative responsibilities for biodiversity in Oman. It also emphasizes the importance of intergovernmental co-operation to create the policy, management and research to advance ecological management. National and regional governments, sectoral agencies, and other stakeholders including the members of the public, will pursue the implementation of the Strategy as guided by their administrative and fiscal capabilities. Elements of the National Strategy and Action Plan Vision: The National Strategy and Action Plan presents a vision for Oman of: A society that is conscious of the role and issues related to biological diversity, convinced of its responsibilities toward future generations and determined to sustainably use natural resources in harmony with all other living things in accordance with the teachings of Islam. In support of this vision, the Strategy presents a series of guiding principles that provide a foundation for implementation. The Strategy provides a framework for action that will enhance our ability to ensure productivity, diversity and integrity of our natural ecosystems and, as a result, our ability as a nation to develop sustainably. It promotes the conservation of biodiversity and the sustainable use of biological resources, and describes how we will complement international efforts to implement the Convention. Mission: "To conserve the biological diversity of the Sultanate and its terrestrial and marine environment, in accordance with the articles of the Convention on Biological Diversity, for the benefit of the present and future generations of Omanis and for mankind as a whole, with respect to the guiding principles of Islam. " Main strategic goals: -Safeguard habitats and productive renewable resources for rational and sustainable exploitation .-Conserve habitat, plant and animal diversity especially of those uncommon and also of special interest; -Provide a high quality natural environment for recreational and tourist activities; - Improve the understanding of ecosystems and increase resource management capability; - Advocate the need to conserve biodiversity and use biological resources in a sustainable manner; - Develop legislation that insures the conservation of biodiversity and the sustainable use of biological resources; - Develop incentives that will promote, biodiversity conservation and provide employment for local people; - Equitably share the benefits of sustainable resources including genetic resources at local and regional levels. - Promote regional and international collaboration on biodiversity conservation and sustainability of natural resources. Proposed mechanisms for implementation: - Creation of a permanent interministerial biodiversity steering Committee and National Biodiversity office which will be responsible for : 1) the filing of an annual national report on policies, activities and plans aimed at implementing the Strategy; 2) co-ordinating the implementation of national and international elements of the Strategy; 3) recommend measures to permit and encourage non-government participation in the implementation of the Strategy; 4) Regular reporting on the status of biodiversity; and, 5) revision of the strategy after an initial implementation phase of five years. The National Strategy and Action Plan proposes a series of priority actions that are classified according to the following themes involving most sectors of society: .Conservation of Natural Resources (Protected areas, Endangered species, conservation) .Terrestrial and Freshwater Fauna . Marine Life and Fisheries  .Terrestrial and Aquatic Flora .Agriculture Resources.Energy Resources .Mineral Resources .Industry, Technology and Services (Biotechnology and Biosafety, Tourism) .Urban Environment .Water Resources .Environmental Emergencies .Participation of the Public, Non-Governmental Organisations and Private Sector .Societal Values (Public awareness, education and training; Environmental impact assessments; Institutional and legal framework) .Quality of Life .Spiritual Values },

keywords = {conservation, ecosystem, education, endangered, Fisheries, guiding, habitat, management, marine, objectives, Oman, population, productivity, protected areas, status},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {techreport}

}

@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}

}

@techreport{,

title = {A preliminary report of marine mammal fisheries in Djibouti, Oman and Sri Lanka },

author = {Alling,A.},

year  = {1992},

date = {1992-01-01},

volume = {694 },

number = {280},

pages = {1-10},

abstract = {INTRODUCTION During the 1982 and 1983 field seasons on Tulip, an effort was made to assess the status of small whale fisheries in Djibouti, Oman and Sri Lanka. In lieu of the fact that the World Wildlife Funds Indian Ocean Whale study still has one more year of field work, this preliminary report will only summarise our findings as of April, 1983. Officials and fisherman were contacted during port calls in 1982 to obtain information about local hunting and entrapment of cetaceans and members of the Tulip crew travelled to 9 harbours in Sri Lanka to interview fishermen. Dolphins seen in fish markets were measured, identified, stomach contents taken, and skulls collected for positive identification. In 1982 one fisherman on the west coast of Sri Lanka was asked to keep a daily log of all cetaceans entrapped or harpooned for a duration of one year. In 1983 we increased the number of harbours Monitored and four additional fishermen, three on the east coast and one on the west coast, were asked to keep these journals. A constant watch was kept at sea for all cetacean sightings. Species seen were identified using three identification guides: Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises of the Eastern North Pacific and Adjacent Arctic Waters (Leatherwood et al., 1982), Sea Guide to, Whales of the World (Watson, 1982), and A Field Guide to Whales and Dolphins (Captain Morzer Bruyns, 1971). When the identification was questionable, animals were photographed for confirmation of identity at a later date. },

keywords = {Arctic, cetacean, cetaceans, dolphin, dolphins, Fisheries, habitat, Indian Ocean, marine, marine mammal, North Pacific, Oman, Porpoise, sanctuaries, skull, skulls, Sri Lanka, status, stomach contents, whale, whales},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {techreport}

}

@techreport{,

title = {Proposals for a System of Nature Conservation Areas},

author = {Clark,J.E.},

year  = {1986},

date = {1986-01-01},

number = {348},

pages = {1-477},

publisher = {IUCN},

abstract = {This report describes the outcome of a nature conservation project set up by the Government of the Sultanate of Oman and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN). Oman is a state member of IUCN. The project was operational for almost 20 months, starting in October 1984. An IUCN consultant Project Leader and an Omani Assistant Project Leader were employed full time. Five other IUCN specialists were employed on short term consultancies. The project's goal was to prepare in-depth plans for a system of nature conservation areas (NCAs) in Oman. The resultant nature conservation programme would form part of Oman's total land use strategy. The plans were to include prescriptions for policy and law; the design of a NCA system; and proposals for the structure and operation of a Directorate General of Wildlife and Nature Conservation. This new Government entity is expected to be set up in the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources . The specific requirements for the proposed NCA system were threefold. Firstly, it should be representative of Oman's varied wild habitats, terrestrial and marine: we identified, described and mapped 43 different Land Classes and 12 Marine Habitats. Secondly, it should conserve populations of all threatened and endemic wildlife found in Oman, and other species judged to be of special interest: we identified 94 plant and 100 animal taxa that fell within this grouping. Thirdly, it should protect selected sites and areas, chosen because they had interesting biotic or abiotic features. We identified and described 89 such sites. The sites comprised desert pools and seepages, coastal lagoons, tidal inlets, marine sites, botanical sites, caves, geological and geomorphological sites and landscapes. The resultant system that we designed consists of 91 NCAs, dispersed widely throughout Oman, and covering a total area of 119,798 sq. km. We proposed that there should be three different categories of NCA: national nature reserve (NNR), 59 areas; national scenic reserve (NSR), 20 areas; and national resource reserve (NRR), 12 areas. NNRs are the most strictly managed category: permanent human settlement is not permitted. NSRs may contain human settlement but the laws provide mechanisms for controlling human activities in conformity with nature conservation objectives. NRR is a temporary category of NCA, given to areas that are clearly of interest but about which insufficient is known to justify delineating NCA boundaries. NRRs are identified as priority areas for further studies that may lead to their becoming NNRs or NSRs. We also provided for the protection of selected wildlife outside the NCA system. We recommended two categories of protected wildlife: those that should be granted full protection, and those that be partially protected to the extent that controlled, licensed taking could be permitted. (The only cetacean species mentioned in this list is the humpback whale, which is tentatively classified as endangered. This is probably due to the lack of information about any other species at that time. Marine sites proposed for protection were selected "ont he basis of their having interesting sublittoral features".  Selection was on the basis of biological or scenic characteristics. The authors acknowledge that the survey was limited in its study of marine sites, but believe that their proposals include so many long stretches of coastline that important habitats will be included. Marine areas proposed for first priority in active management (NNRs) include Jazirat Umm al Fayyarin (Musandam), Ras Suwadi, Daymaniyat Islands, Qurm/Fahal, Bandar Jissah, Ras al Hadd, Ras al Junays, Barr al Hikmann, Hasikiyah, Qibliyah, Marbat, Khawr Rawri and Khawr Salalah. Sawda and Hallaniya are propsed as NSR's.},

keywords = {cetacean, conservation, endangered, habitat, Humpback Whale, management, marine, objectives, Oman, population, populations, survey, whale},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {techreport}

}