Oman contributes to global whale migration atlas
In a landmark step for marine conservation, Oman has contributed to a major new global initiative to map and safeguard the migratory 'superhighways' of whales. The Blue Corridors platform (BlueCorridors.org), launched this week by WWF and an international coalition of scientists and conservation groups, digitally charts decades of whale tracking data to drive action on ocean protection worldwide.
Oman's unique satellite tracking data -gathered through the Environment Society of Oman (ESO) and marine research group Future Seas and supported by the Environment Authority is now part of this global dataset; helping to illuminate how whales travel through the region's waters and beyond.
'We've contributed Oman's dataset to this collaborative effort,' Suaad al Harthi from the Environment Society of Oman confirmed, 'offering insights that will support international efforts to protect whales from rising threats such as ship strikes, fishing gear entanglement, underwater noise and climate change'.
For the first time, BlueCorridors.org brings together three decades of global tracking data, integrating it with maps of overlapping marine risks to create a dynamic tool for governments, scientists and policymakers. The initiative highlights the movement of whales through the territorial waters of multiple countries and underscores the urgency of international collaboration, especially as seven of the world's 14 great whale species remain endangered or vulnerable despite decades of conservation efforts.
'Oman's contribution is a vital part of this global effort,' said Dr Andrew Willson of Future Seas Oman, one of the contributing researchers. 'By understanding where whales travel, and where they face the greatest risks, we can work together on more informed conservation plans to protect them —not just in Oman's waters, but across the migratory routes that connect the dots between important habitats used by the whales for breeding and feeding.'
Launched ahead of World Oceans Day (8 June) and the UN Ocean Conference in Nice, France, the project also advances global goals to protect 30% of the ocean by 2030 — part of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the UN Decade of Ocean Science. The Blue Corridors platform is publicly accessible and will evolve with further peer-reviewed science and collaborative input through 2025.
'Blue corridors are more than migration routes — they're lifelines for the ocean's giants and the ecosystems they support,' said Chris Johnson, Global Lead for WWF's Protecting Whales and Dolphins Initiative. 'This platform transforms decades of science into a tool for action — showing when, where and how to protect whales in a rapidly changing ocean.'
The project builds on the Protecting Blue Corridors report (2022), now enhanced with open-access visualisations from more than 50 contributing research groups. The platform also highlights hotspots where solutions -such as marine protected areas or revised shipping routes- can make the greatest difference.
As the oceans warm and human activities intensify, tools like this offer hope for species whose survival depends on protecting migratory pathways. And Oman's role in this collaborative atlas underscores the country's growing contribution to marine science and conservation on a global scale.
Najah al Riyami
The writer is a Media and Communication Master's graduate.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Observer
6 days ago
- Observer
Oman initiates protection of humpback whales
Muscat, June 15 In a rare convergence of international scientists, environmental leaders and policymakers, Oman played host last week to a groundbreaking workshop focused on protecting one of the world's most endangered and isolated whale populations — the Arabian Sea humpback whale. The workshop was considered the start of efforts to develop a Conservation Management Plan (CMP) for the population, which is isolated to the Arabian Sea and listed as Endangered under the IUCN Red list of Threatened Species. The workshop facilitated regional collaboration, particularly between Oman and India, guiding the convergence of national conservation efforts into a regional framework. This process is supported by the International Whaling Commission (IWC) in conjunction with the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS), platforms with a conservation agenda that will allow the plan to be adopted by all range states boarding the Arabian Sea. 'The scientific community has built a strong foundation of knowledge over the past 25 years,' said Suaad al Harthy of the Environment Society of Oman. 'The CMP efforts now support the aspirations for development of government policy and regional collaboration.' During the workshop participants also examined past and ongoing threat mitigation strategies and reflected on international legal instruments and regional initiatives that could support the CMP's development. A special focus was placed on Masirah, which is internationally recognised as an 'Important Marine Mammal Area' and home to what is considered to be the most important Arabian Sea humpback whale habitat in Oman. The three-day gathering has resulted in a shared vision for marine mammal protection in the region. Stakeholders aim to engage more actively in marine mammal monitoring and conservation and draft a non-binding CMP agreement between Oman and India that paves the way for a wider regional CMP under the auspices of the IWC and CMS. 'Scientific teams from around the region have been identifying threats and advocating for protection of this population as a matter of urgency' commented Dr Andrew Willson from Future Seas. 'The threats from human activities throughout this population's range are rapidly accelerating and the whales are faced with the cumulative impacts of multiple stressors." Collaboration between scientists, government and industry is the only way to tackle these multiple threats. The interest shown by the shipping industry to support the management plan is truly encouraging and demonstrates concern and willingness of industry to navigate carefully through sensitive areas'. This sentiment was best captured by Captain Wolfram Guntermann, representing the World Shipping Council, who very simply stated, 'The life of an endangered whale is priceless'.
Observer
7 days ago
- Observer
Oman contributes to global whale migration atlas
In a landmark step for marine conservation, Oman has contributed to a major new global initiative to map and safeguard the migratory 'superhighways' of whales. The Blue Corridors platform ( launched this week by WWF and an international coalition of scientists and conservation groups, digitally charts decades of whale tracking data to drive action on ocean protection worldwide. Oman's unique satellite tracking data -gathered through the Environment Society of Oman (ESO) and marine research group Future Seas and supported by the Environment Authority is now part of this global dataset; helping to illuminate how whales travel through the region's waters and beyond. 'We've contributed Oman's dataset to this collaborative effort,' Suaad al Harthi from the Environment Society of Oman confirmed, 'offering insights that will support international efforts to protect whales from rising threats such as ship strikes, fishing gear entanglement, underwater noise and climate change'. For the first time, brings together three decades of global tracking data, integrating it with maps of overlapping marine risks to create a dynamic tool for governments, scientists and policymakers. The initiative highlights the movement of whales through the territorial waters of multiple countries and underscores the urgency of international collaboration, especially as seven of the world's 14 great whale species remain endangered or vulnerable despite decades of conservation efforts. 'Oman's contribution is a vital part of this global effort,' said Dr Andrew Willson of Future Seas Oman, one of the contributing researchers. 'By understanding where whales travel, and where they face the greatest risks, we can work together on more informed conservation plans to protect them —not just in Oman's waters, but across the migratory routes that connect the dots between important habitats used by the whales for breeding and feeding.' Launched ahead of World Oceans Day (8 June) and the UN Ocean Conference in Nice, France, the project also advances global goals to protect 30% of the ocean by 2030 — part of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the UN Decade of Ocean Science. The Blue Corridors platform is publicly accessible and will evolve with further peer-reviewed science and collaborative input through 2025. 'Blue corridors are more than migration routes — they're lifelines for the ocean's giants and the ecosystems they support,' said Chris Johnson, Global Lead for WWF's Protecting Whales and Dolphins Initiative. 'This platform transforms decades of science into a tool for action — showing when, where and how to protect whales in a rapidly changing ocean.' The project builds on the Protecting Blue Corridors report (2022), now enhanced with open-access visualisations from more than 50 contributing research groups. The platform also highlights hotspots where solutions -such as marine protected areas or revised shipping routes- can make the greatest difference. As the oceans warm and human activities intensify, tools like this offer hope for species whose survival depends on protecting migratory pathways. And Oman's role in this collaborative atlas underscores the country's growing contribution to marine science and conservation on a global scale. Najah al Riyami The writer is a Media and Communication Master's graduate.
Observer
08-06-2025
- Observer
Oman committed to protection of marine biodiversity
MUSCAT: The Sultanate of Oman is highlighting its leading role in protecting the marine environment and promoting sustainability as a leading country in this field. The Sultanate of Oman boasts a long coastline of nearly 3,165 km, making it home to a rich biodiversity that includes coral reefs, seabirds and fish as well as rare and endangered species such as sea turtles. The Sultanate of Oman seeks to conserve its marine environment by adopting well-thought-out initiatives and policies. The Environment Authority (EA) was established to develop environmental strategies particularly those related to ocean and coastal protection. The EA also conducts scientific studies and research aimed at understanding environmental challenges facing the marine environment including pollution, overfishing and climate change. As part of its efforts to promote marine sustainability, the Sultanate of Oman is implementing various projects, most important of which is the Artificial Coral Reefs project which aims to rehabilitate damaged coral reefs, enhance biodiversity, support sustainable fishing and protect coastal areas. The Sultanate of Oman has also established several marine reserves, such as the Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve, the Daymaniyat Islands Nature Reserve which provide a safe environment for endangered marine species. Oman's efforts are not limited to policies and projects alone, but also raising community awareness and promoting community participation through awareness campaigns and workshops aimed at educating citizens and residents about the importance of preserving the marine environment. These initiatives contribute to enhancing environmental awareness among members of society, especially the younger generations, and encourage them to actively engage in marine conservation efforts. It also attaches great importance to international cooperation in the field of marine environment protection. It participates in several global environmental agreements and programmes including the Convention on Biological Diversity which aims to conserve biodiversity and ensure its sustainable use. Through its participation in World Oceans Day, the Sultanate of Oman reaffirms its commitment to preserving the oceans and ensuring their sustainability for posterity, thus contributing to the conservation of marine resources and the enhancement of biodiversity. — ONA
