Co-written with Yeru Ebuen
Sea turtles, the elegant and ancient mariners of our oceans, play a vital role in the marine ecosystem. Out of the seven known species of sea turtles worldwide, four regularly nest on Oman’s Masirah Island, making it a significant sanctuary for their continued survival. The island's unique ecosystem provides the ideal environment to support the diverse feeding habits of these species, from loggerheads feasting on crabs, clams, and sea snails to green turtles grazing on seaweed, seagrass, and algae. Hawksbill turtles, with their preference for sponges found in coral reefs, and olive ridleys, whose varied diet includes crabs, shrimp, sea urchins, and jellyfish, also thrive in the waters around Masirah.
These remarkable creatures demonstrate a strong connection to their birthplace, often returning to the same shores to lay their eggs. From May to September, sea turtles from across the globe migrate back to Masirah to nest, as their ancestors have done for generations. The loggerhead, green, hawksbill, and olive ridley turtles all select different nesting sites across the island. The east coast of Masirah, with its rugged and underpopulated landscape, is the most favoured location. Loggerheads nest along the coastal strip, while green turtles and olive ridleys favour the areas of Bayadh and Ras Abu Rasas. Hawksbills are more selective, nesting exclusively at Ras Abu Rasas.
The sight of these turtles nesting is awe-inspiring, drawing visitors from around the world eager to witness this natural phenomenon. Sea turtles often dig two nests, one thought to be a decoy, to protect their eggs from predators. Yet, despite their remarkable survival instincts, these creatures face numerous challenges. Fishing nets, light pollution, marine debris, and ocean traffic threaten their existence, not just in Oman but globally. Raising awareness and taking action is crucial to safeguarding their future.
Both loggerhead and green turtles are classified as critically endangered, while olive ridleys and hawksbills are listed as vulnerable. Oman is playing an active role in the global efforts to conserve these species, with support from the Ministry of Environment, Environment Society of Oman, Future Seas, and international organizations. Through collective action, we are working to protect these majestic animals, ensuring their continued survival by addressing the threats they face and enhancing conservation measures.
A changing landscape
With approximately 30,000 loggerheads arriving each year, the island hosts one of the largest aggregations of these turtles globally, making it a critical site for conservation efforts. Despite its importance, loggerhead turtles on Masirah face numerous threats, spurring ongoing collaborations between the Omani Environment Authority, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and local conservation groups.
Masirah's secluded beaches and warm waters offer ideal conditions for loggerhead turtles. The island’s remote, arid landscape ensures relatively undisturbed nesting sites, while the surrounding ocean provides abundant food sources. Loggerhead turtles, locally known as rimani, have been nesting on the island for centuries, and their consistent return speaks to the suitability of the habitat.
However, Masirah’s role as a key loggerhead rookery isn't limited to its geography. Conservationists, scientists, and the local community have long worked to preserve this fragile ecosystem. Since the 1970s, when turtle research first began on the island, efforts to monitor, tag, and protect loggerhead turtles have shaped Masirah into a conservation hub.
Despite its natural advantages, Masirah is also changing. As development increases, light pollution, bycatch from fisheries, and habitat degradation pose significant risks to the turtles. Artificial lighting from homes and infrastructure disorients nesting females and hatchlings, making it difficult for them to find the ocean. Some turtles mistakenly head inland, where their chances of survival plummet.
Another critical threat is bycatch—turtles becoming entangled in fishing nets. Surveys conducted by the Environment Society of Oman (ESO) revealed that an estimated 2,000 loggerheads are caught annually in local fisheries. This high level of bycatch is contributing to a decline in the loggerhead population, which is now listed as critically endangered in the Northwest Indian Ocean.
Additionally, the ingestion of marine debris, particularly plastic, has become a growing concern. Turtles often mistake plastic waste for food, leading to digestive blockages and, in many cases, death. This issue is exacerbated by the presence of plastic pollution in the waters around Masirah, a problem that requires urgent attention.
Conservation Efforts on the Ground
Efforts to safeguard Masirah’s sea turtles have intensified in recent years. One of the primary strategies involves reducing light pollution. A collaborative project between the ESO, the Environment Authority, and local partners aims to install turtle-friendly lighting along prime nesting beaches. By shielding bright lights and encouraging low-glare bulbs, conservationists hope to provide turtles with a safe, dark environment conducive to successful nesting.
Local engagement has also been crucial to these efforts. The fishing community on Masirah, historically a source of bycatch, has been involved in bycatch reduction programs. Workshops on sustainable fishing practices, combined with the deployment of remote fisheries observers, have helped fishermen understand the impacts of their activities on turtle populations. Initiatives like these ensure that conservation isn’t just driven by scientists but by the community itself.
In addition to light and bycatch management, beach cleanups have played a vital role in turtle conservation. In 2017, volunteers removed over 38 tons of discarded fishing nets from Masirah’s beaches. Such initiatives have not only helped protect nesting turtles but have also raised awareness about the broader environmental issues affecting the island.
The Masirah Turtle Conservation Project (MTCP), which ran from 2004 to 2008, was the first large-scale initiative in the region to study the turtle populations on the island. The project aimed to assess the nesting turtle populations and provide environmental education, in addition to developing a sustainable General Management Plan for the island. In collaboration with local authorities, fisher associations, and schools, the MTCP also introduced satellite telemetry to track loggerhead, olive ridley, and green turtles during their nesting periods.
Using satellite transmitters, the team successfully tracked several turtles between 2006 and 2008, revealing important insights into their migratory patterns. Loggerhead turtles primarily remained in oceanic areas near Socotra Island, while olive ridley turtles migrated to neritic zones within 120 kilometres of their nesting sites. Green turtles, on the other hand, travelled over 2,400 kilometres into the Red Sea, selecting foraging grounds hundreds of kilometres apart.
Although extensive tracking of loggerhead turtles continues today, further tracking of green and olive ridley turtles remains necessary to verify previous findings and better understand their behaviours. Hawksbill turtles, while not initially part of the MTCP, have since been studied, with 10 individuals tracked in 2011 and 2012.
The data collected by the MTCP and subsequent studies are crucial for improving conservation efforts, enhancing regional understanding of turtle populations, and ensuring the sustainable management of these endangered species in Oman’s waters.
A Hopeful Future
The combined efforts of local communities, government bodies, and international partners offer hope for the loggerhead turtles of Masirah Island. With ongoing monitoring, public education, and targeted conservation programs, the island remains a beacon of hope for one of the world’s most endangered turtle populations. As development continues, finding a balance between human activities and wildlife conservation is key to ensuring the survival of these ancient creatures.
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