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EA Successfully Installs a Tracking Chip on An Arabian Sea Humpback Whale in Duqm

February 05, 2024

The IWC's Scientific Committee has listed the Arabian Sea humpback whale as one of only four populations still considered Endangered. This means that “saving one whale will have a significant impact on the genetic diversity and the recovery of this species.”

In January 2021, the Sultanate of Oman, represented by Environment Authority (EA) and the Port of Duqm, managed to free and save a 15-meter humpback whale trapped in net off the coast of Duqm.

Engineer Aida Khalaf Al-Jabri, a marine environment specialist at the Environment Authority, confirmed that EA pays great attention to marine life and mammals, including the Arabian Sea humpback whale, and strives to save them from extinction.

Al-Jabri said: "In December 2023, EA kicked off an Arabian Sea humpback whale tracking chip project and managed to install a satellite tracking chip and an 8-hour acoustic recorder on the back of a two-mole Arabian Sea humpback whale using a drone. The chip recorded the sounds of this whale species. Noting that this project helps making remote measurements via satellite and mapping threats to species".

 Al-Jabri added that EA and the Port of Duqm join forces to protect and save this species and other marine mammals.

It is worth noting that the Arabian Sea humpback whale is uniquely different in shape, color and tail fluke. It is considered the most unique and rare species of whale, with only about 100 of them seen so far.

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