@article{,

title = {Confirmed sightings of the Killer Whale, Orcinus orca, in Iranian waters (Mammalia: Cetacea)},

author = {Mohsenian, Nazanin,Moshiri, Hamed,Tollab, Amin,Bargahi, Hamid Reza,Braulik, Gill T.,Gemmell, Georgina L.,Collins, Tim},

url = {https://doi.org/10.1080/09397140.2019.1596590},

issn = {0939-7140},

year  = {2019},

date = {2019-01-01},

journal = {Zoology in the Middle East},

volume = {65},

number = {171},

pages = {280-282},

publisher = {Taylor & Francis},

keywords = {Arabian Gulf, Arabian Sea, Iran, killer whale, Orcinus orca, Persian Gulf},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{,

title = {Climate change impacts on marine biodiversity, fisheries and society in the Arabian Gulf},

author = {Wabnitz, Colette C. C.,Lam, Vicky W. Y.,Reygondeau, Gabriel,Teh, Lydia C. L.,Al-Abdulrazzak, Dalal,Khalfallah, Myriam,Pauly, Daniel,Palomares, Maria L. Deng,Zeller, Dirk,Cheung, William W. L.},

url = {https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0194537},

year  = {2018},

date = {2018-01-01},

journal = {PLOS ONE},

volume = {13},

number = {494},

pages = {e0194537},

publisher = {Public Library of Science},

abstract = {Climate change–reflected in significant environmental changes such as warming, sea level rise, shifts in salinity, oxygen and other ocean conditions–is expected to impact marine organisms and associated fisheries. This study provides an assessment of the potential impacts on, and the vulnerability of, marine biodiversity and fisheries catches in the Arabian Gulf under climate change. To this end, using three separate niche modelling approaches under a ‘business-as-usual’ climate change scenario, we projected the future habitat suitability of the Arabian Gulf (also known as the Persian Gulf) for 55 expert-identified priority species, including charismatic and non-fish species. Second, we conducted a vulnerability assessment of national economies to climate change impacts on fisheries. The modelling outputs suggested a high rate of local extinction (up to 35% of initial species richness) by 2090 relative to 2010. Spatially, projected local extinctions are highest in the southwestern part of the Gulf, off the coast of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). While the projected patterns provided useful indicators of potential climate change impacts on the region’s diversity, the magnitude of changes in habitat suitability are more uncertain. Fisheries-specific results suggested reduced future catch potential for several countries on the western side of the Gulf, with projections differing only slightly among models. Qatar and the UAE were particularly affected, with more than a 26% drop in future fish catch potential. Integrating changes in catch potential with socio-economic indicators suggested the fisheries of Bahrain and Iran may be most vulnerable to climate change. We discuss limitations of the indicators and the methods used, as well as the implications of our overall findings for conservation and fisheries management policies in the region.},

keywords = {Arabia, Arabian Gulf, Arabian Sea, biodiversity, Climate change, diversity, economic impact, Fisheries, Persian Gulf, Sea of Oman},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{,

title = {Turtles and other marine megafauna bycatch in artisanal fisheries in the Saudi waters of the Arabian Gulf},

author = {Abdulqader, Ebrahim A. A.,Miller, Jeff,Al-Mansi, Ahmed,Al-Abdulkader, Khaled,Fita, Nabil,Al-Nadhiri, Hussein,Rabaoui, Lotfi},

url = {http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0165783617302229},

issn = {0165-7836},

year  = {2017},

date = {2017-01-01},

journal = {Fisheries Research},

volume = {196},

number = {1},

pages = {75-84},

abstract = {Fisheries impacts on marine megafauna have received global attention and are recognized as a serious problem. In Saudi waters of the Arabian Gulf, the artisanal fishery is responsible for 99.6% of landings. It uses a range of boat sizes and various types of fishing gears and operates in all accessible areas from shallow coastal bays to deep offshore waters. The objective of this work is to assess the captures and the impact of all fishing gear types used by the Saudi artisanal fishery on four marine megafauna groups: turtles, birds, dolphins, and dugongs (Dugong dugon). Nine questionnaire surveys were carried out from May 2013 to November 2014, covering a two-month period each. Ten main gear types were found to be used by 25 directed fisheries, including shrimp trawl, wire trap, hand line, troll, pelagic and demersal longline, and drift, surrounding, fixed, and set gillnets. Turtles were captured in relatively high numbers (4726 captures year−1) in nine directed fisheries, among which shrimp trawl fishery was responsible for 86.3% of the captures. The lowest capture rates were found with birds (13.1 captures year−1) and dolphins (7.4 captures year−1), related mainly with the Spanish mackerel longline and Indian mackerel surrounding gillnet fisheries. No dugong captures were recorded. In all, the Saudi artisanal fishery operating in the Arabian Gulf has a high impact on turtles and low impact on birds and dolphins. No impact on dugongs was reported during this study.},

keywords = {Arabian Gulf, Bycatch, cetaceans, Fisheries, marine turtles, Megafauna, Persian Gulf, Saudi Arabia},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{,

title = {The Persian Gulf is part of the habitual range of the Arabian Sea Humpback whale population},

author = {Dakhteh, Seyed M. H.,Ranjbar, Sharif,Moazeni, Mostafa,Mohsenian, Nazanin,Delshab, Hossein,Moshiri, Hamed,Nabavi, Seyed M. B.,Van Waerebeek, Koen},

year  = {2017},

date = {2017-01-01},

journal = {Journal of Marine Biology & Oceanography},

volume = {6},

number = {77},

pages = {1-6},

abstract = {The humpback whale has long been considered a rare straggler into the Persian Gulf, however new evidence contradicts this concept. We here critically review published and new records for Megaptera novaeangliae occurrence in the Gulf for the period 1883-2017. Of eight authenticated records (6 specimens, 2 live-sightings), seven are contemporary cases while one is a mid-Holocene specimen from UAE. An additional four are possible but unsubstantiated reports. Four regional, current, range states are confirmed, i.e. Iran, Iraq, Kuwait and Qatar. Four of the five newly reported cases are from Iran's coastal waters. We conclude that the Persian Gulf is part of the habitual range of the Arabian Sea humpback whale population, and has been since at least the mid-Holocene. It is unknown whether frequent passage occurs through the Strait of Hormuz or whether whales are (semi)resident. The low abundance of this endangered population and frequent deleterious anthropogenic events, particularly ship strikes and net entanglements, are cause for major concern. In view of its historical and taxonomic relevance, the formal description of Megaptera indica Gervais, 1883, from Iraq, now thought to be a subspecies M. novaeangliae indica, is here translated from French.%U http://www.biorxiv.org/content/biorxiv/early/2017/09/06/185033.full.pdf},

keywords = {Arabian Gulf, Arabian Sea, Distribution, Humpback Whale, megaptera novaeangliae, Persian Gulf, ship strike},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{,

title = {The distribution, abundance and group dynamics of Indian Ocean humpback dolphins (},

author = {Díaz López, Bruno,Grandcourt, Edwin,Methion, Séverine,Das, Himansu,Bugla, Ibrahim,Al Hameli, Maitha,Al Ameri, Hind,Abdulla, Mohamed,Al Blooshi, Ayesha,Al Dhaheri, Shaikha},

url = {https://www.cambridge.org/core/article/distribution-abundance-and-group-dynamics-of-indian-ocean-humpback-dolphins-sousa-plumbea-in-the-emirate-of-abu-dhabi-uae/9FB6BE811A329C1A0BA57F0BDFC65AB3},

issn = {0025-3154},

year  = {2017},

date = {2017-01-01},

journal = {Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom},

number = {88},

pages = {1-9},

publisher = {Cambridge University Press},

abstract = {The Arabian Gulf is one of the most heavily impacted water bodies raising serious concerns about the conservation status of many marine species. A limited coastal range and near-shore distribution make Indian Ocean humpback dolphins particularly vulnerable to mortality and traumatic injuries from heavy maritime traffic and gill-netting practices. Prior to the present study, no research had focused on the ecology of this species in the Arabian Gulf, despite the potential for human impacts. The mark–recapture method of photo-identification, undertaken during 55 boat-based surveys conducted between 2014 and 2015, was used to assess the occurrence, abundance and use of habitat of this endangered species along the coast of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (UAE). In all, 368 h and 6703 km of observation were carried out over a period of 5 months, and 54 encounters were made with humpback dolphins. The group size ranged from 1 to 24 individuals and group composition showed that 79% of the observed dolphins were adults. Abundance estimates were calculated and fitted with open population models. A review of all available data indicates that the studied population is the largest reported in the world with 701 (95% CI = 473–845) individuals. While their occurrence within Abu Dhabi near-shore waters is frequent, the survey area appears to be only a part of a much larger home range for this humpback dolphin population. The observation of multiple threats derived from anthropogenic activities increases our concerns regarding the conservation of this important dolphin population.},

keywords = {abundance, Arabian Gulf, coastal environment, conservation, Indian Ocean humpback dolphins, Persian Gulf, photo-identification, sousa},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{,

title = {Omura's whale (Balaenoptera omurai) stranding on Qeshm Island, Iran: further evidence for a wide (sub)tropical distribution, including the Persian Gulf},

author = {Ranjbar, Sharif,Dakhteh, Mohammad Sayed,Van Waerebeek, Koen},

url = {http://biorxiv.org/content/biorxiv/early/2016/03/07/042614.full.pdf},

year  = {2016},

date = {2016-01-01},

journal = {bioRxiv},

number = {202},

abstract = {A small, juvenile rorqual live-stranded on Qeshm Island, Iran, in the northern Strait of Hormuz (Persian Gulf) in September 2007. Cause of stranding remains unknown but the whale (QE22.09.2007) showed no severe traumatic injuries nor was emaciated. Based on at least seven morphological features, considered diagnostic in combination, allowed a positive identification as Omura's whale Balaenoptera omurai. Features included diminutive body size (397 cm), a large number of ventral grooves (n=82) extending caudad of the umbilicus, a strongly falcate dorsal fin, asymmetric colouration of the head (especially lower jaws) reminiscent of fin whale, including three unilateral dark stripes, faint/incomplete lateral rostral ridges, record low number of short, broad baleen plates (204 in right jaw). The likelihood for the existence of a local B. omurai population in the eastern Persian Gulf or northern Arabian Sea seems higher than the wandering of a very young animal or mother/calf pair from any of the known distant distribution areas in the eastern Indian Ocean or SW Indian Ocean (Madagascar). This is the first record of B. omurai in the NW Indian Ocean.},

keywords = {Arabian Gulf, Arabian Sea, balaenoptera omurai, Distribution, Iran, Persian Gulf, stranding},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{,

title = {Identification of Important Sea Turtle Areas (ITAs) for hawksbill turtles in the Arabian Region},

author = {Pilcher, Nicolas J.,Antonopoulou, Marina,Perry, Lisa,Abdel-Moati, Mohamed A.,Al Abdessalaam, Thabit Zahran,Albeldawi, Mohammad,Al Ansi, Mehsin,Al-Mohannadi, Salman Fahad,Al Zahlawi, Nessrine,Baldwin, Robert,Chikhi, Ahmed,Das, Himansu Sekhar,Hamza, Shafeeq,Kerr, Oliver J.,Al Kiyumi, Ali,Mobaraki, Asghar,Al Suwaidi, Hana Saif,Al Suweidi, Ali Saqar,Sawaf, Moaz,Tourenq, Christophe,Williams, James,Willson, Andrew},

url = {http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022098114001816},

issn = {0022-0981},

year  = {2014},

date = {2014-01-01},

journal = {Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology},

volume = {460},

number = {428},

pages = {89-99},

abstract = {We present the first data on hawksbill turtle post-nesting migrations and behaviour in the Arabian region. Tracks from 90 post-nesting turtles (65 in the Gulf and 25 from Oman) revealed that hawksbills in the Arabian region may nest up to 6 times in a season with an average of 3 nests per turtle. Turtles from Qatar, Iran and the UAE generally migrated south and southwest to waters shared by the UAE and Qatar. A smaller number of turtles migrated northward towards Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and one reached Kuwait. Omani turtles migrated south towards Masirah island and to Quwayrah, staying close to the mainland and over the continental shelf. The widespread dispersal of hawksbill foraging grounds across the SW Gulf may limit habitat protection options available to managers, and we suggest these be linked to preservation of shallow water habitats and fishery management. In contrast, the two main foraging areas in Oman were small and could be candidates for protected area consideration. Critical migration bottlenecks were identified at the easternmost point of the Arabian Peninsula as turtles from Daymaniyat Islands migrate southward, and between Qatar and Bahrain. Overall, Gulf turtles spent 68% of the time in foraging ground with home ranges of 40–60 km2 and small core areas of 6 km2. Adult female turtles from Oman were significantly larger than Gulf turtles by ~ 11 cm x ¯ = 81.4 CCL and spent 83% of their time foraging in smaller home ranges with even smaller core areas (~ 3 km2), likely due to better habitat quality and food availability. Gulf turtles were among the smallest in the world x ¯ = 70.3 CCL and spent an average of 20% of time undertaking summer migration loops, a thermoregulatory response to avoid elevated sea surface temperatures, as the Gulf regularly experiences sustained sea surface temperatures > 30 °C. Fishery bycatch was determined for two of the 90 turtles. These spatio-temporal findings on habitat use will enable risk assessments for turtles in the face of multiple threats including oil and gas industries, urban and industrial development, fishery pressure, and shipping. They also improve our overall understanding of hawksbill habitat use and behaviour in the Arabian region, and will support sea turtle conservation-related policy decision-making at national and regional levels.},

keywords = {Arabian Gulf, Conservation and management, Eretmochelys imbricata, habitat use, Persian Gulf, Satellite tracking},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{,

title = {The Gulf: a young sea in decline},

author = {Sheppard, Charles,Al-Husiani, Mohsen,Al-Jamali, F,Al-Yamani, Faiza,Baldwin, Rob,Bishop, James,Benzoni, Francesca,Dutrieux, Eric,Dulvy, Nicholas K,Durvasula, Subba Rao V},

issn = {0025-326X},

year  = {2010},

date = {2010-01-01},

journal = {Marine Pollution Bulletin},

volume = {60},

number = {223},

pages = {13-38},

abstract = {This review examines the substantial changes that have taken place in marine habitats and resources of

the Gulf over the past decade. The habitats are especially interesting because of the naturally high levels

of temperature and salinity stress they experience, which is important in a changing world climate. However,

the extent of all natural habitats is changing and their condition deteriorating because of the rapid

development of the region and, in some cases from severe, episodic warming episodes.

Major impacts come from numerous industrial, infrastructure-based, and residential and tourism

development activities, which together combine, synergistically in some cases, to cause the observed

deterioration in most benthic habitats. Substantial sea bottom dredging for material and its deposition

in shallow water to extend land or to form a basis for huge developments, directly removes large areas

of shallow, productive habitat, though in some cases the most important effect is the accompanying sedimentation

or changes to water flows and conditions. The large scale of the activities compared to the

relatively shallow and small size of the water body is a particularly important issue.

Important from the perspective of controlling damaging effects is the limited cross-border collaboration

and even intra-country collaboration among government agencies and large projects. Along with

the accumulative nature of impacts that occur, even where each project receives environmental assessment

or attention, each is treated more or less alone, rarely in combination. However, their combination

in such a small, biologically interacting sea exacerbates the overall deterioration. Very few similar areas exist which face such a high concentration of disturbance, and the prognosis for the Gulf continuing to

provide abundant natural resources is poor.},

keywords = {Arabian Gulf, conservation, habitat degradation, Persian Gulf},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{,

title = {Bloom of jellyfish (Crambionela orisini) in the Oman Sea and the Persian Gulf},

author = {Anon.},

year  = {2003},

date = {2003-01-01},

journal = {Iranian Fisheries Research Organisation Newsletter},

volume = {35},

number = {297},

pages = {1},

keywords = {Invertebrates, Jellyfish, Oman Sea, Persian Gulf},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{,

title = {A note on sightings of sperm whales off the coasts of the Sultanate of Oman and the United Arab Emirates, October 1994 to October 1997},

author = {Baldwin, Robert.},

year  = {1998},

date = {1998-01-01},

journal = {International Whaling Commission Scientific Committee Document SC/50/CAWS22.  Cambridge, UK.},

number = {301},

keywords = {Arabian Gulf, Arabian Sea, Oman, Persian Gulf, sperm whales, UAE},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{,

title = {Vulnerable marine zones of Iran},

author = {Daanehkaar, Afhsin.},

year  = {1998},

date = {1998-01-01},

journal = {Mohit-e Zist Quarterly Magazine},

volume = {24},

number = {355},

pages = {28-38},

keywords = {Iran, Marine mammals, Oman Sea, Persian Gulf, Sea Turtles},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{,

title = {Irregular flow of Persian (Arabian) Gulf water to the Arabian Sea.},

author = {Banse, K.},

year  = {1997},

date = {1997-01-01},

journal = {Journal of Marine Research},

volume = {55},

number = {37},

pages = {1049-1067},

keywords = {oceanography, Persian Gulf},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{,

title = {State of oil pollution in the northern Arabian Sea after the 1991 Gulf oil spill},

author = {Gupta, R.S.,Fondekar, S.P.,Alagarsamy, R.},

year  = {1993},

date = {1993-01-01},

journal = {Marine Pollution Bulletin},

volume = {27},

number = {108},

pages = {85-92},

keywords = {Arabian Sea, oil, Persian Gulf},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{,

title = {Physical oceanography of the Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, and the Gulf of Oman: results from the Mt. Mitchell Expedition},

author = {Reynolds, M.},

year  = {1993},

date = {1993-01-01},

journal = {Marine Pollution Bulletin},

volume = {27},

number = {444},

pages = {35-59},

keywords = {Arabian Sea, Iran, oceanography, Oman Sea, Persian Gulf},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{,

title = {Sightings of whales and dolphins in the Middle East (Cetacea)},

author = {Weitkowitz, W.},

url = {https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/09397140.1992.10637606},

year  = {1992},

date = {1992-01-01},

journal = {Zoology in the Middle East},

volume = {6},

number = {252},

pages = {5-12},

abstract = {A list of 70 field observations of whales and dolphins is presented, which were made whilst travelling in the Eastern Mcditcrrancan Sea, the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, the Persian Gulf, the Arabian Sea, and in the northwestern Indian Ocean. The data refer to 12 species: Sousa plumbea, Tursiops aduncus, Tursiops truncatus, Stenella coeruleoalba, Grampus griseus, Pseudorca crassidens, Peponocephala electra, Ziphius cavirostris, Kogia sp., Physeter macrocephalus, Balaenoptera musculus, and Megaptera novaeangliae.},

keywords = {Africa, Arabia, Arabian Sea, dolphin, Gulf of Aden, Middle East, Persian Gulf, Red Sea, whale},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{,

title = {Les types de cétacés actuels du Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle. I: Balaenopteridae, Kogiidae, Ziphiidae, Iniidae, Pontoporiidae},

author = {Robineau, D.},

issn = {0181-0626},

year  = {1989},

date = {1989-01-01},

journal = {Bulletin du Muséum national d'histoire naturelle. Section A, Zoologie, biologie et écologie animales},

volume = {11},

number = {207},

pages = {271-289},

keywords = {Arabian Gulf, Arabian Sea, Humpback Whale, megaptera novaeangliae, museum, Persian Gulf},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{,

title = {Neophocaena phocaenoides},

author = {al-Robaae, Khalaf.},

year  = {1975},

date = {1975-01-01},

journal = {Bulletin of the Basrah Natural History Museum},

volume = {2},

number = {286},

pages = {47-49},

keywords = {Arabian Gulf, Finless Porpoise, Iran, Iraq, Oman, Persian Gulf, Saudi Arabia},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{,

title = {Cetologische Expedition zum Indus und Persischen Golf und Forschungsreise nach Goa und Thailand im Jahre 1973},

author = {Pilleri, G},

year  = {1973},

date = {1973-01-01},

journal = {Investigations on Cetacea},

volume = {5},

number = {188},

pages = {36-38},

keywords = {Arabian Sea, India, Indus Delta, Pakistan, Persian Gulf, Thailand},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{,

title = {Sur une Nouvelle Espèce de Mégaptère (Megaptera indica) Provenant du Golfe Persique},

author = {Gervais,H.P.},

year  = {1888},

date = {1888-01-01},

journal = {Nouvelles archives du Muséum d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris},

volume = {10},

number = {99},

pages = {199-218},

keywords = {Arabian Gulf, Arabian Sea, Humpback Whale, megaptera novaeangliae, Persian Gulf, taxonomy},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}