Muscat – Within the framework of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between Oman and the USA in the field of environment and wildlife conservation, specialists from Environment Authority are participating in fieldwork to study the success of nesting of loggerhead turtles in Masirah Island.

Environment Authority (EA) signed an agreement with United States’ Fish and Wildlife Service in May to draft a strategy for the conservation and protection of sea turtles in Oman. Under the agreement, loggerhead turtles will be studied and tracked by satellite on Masirah Island.

Surveys of turtle nests that were identified at the beginning of the project are currently being studied to enumerate and count the hatched and non-hatched eggs, as well as the dead hatchlings.

A 30-year study of Oman’s loggerhead turtles has highlighted the need for urgent additional conservation actions. The study found a 79 per cent decline in the nesting population on Masirah Island.

The study evaluated the long-term population trend of the globally important loggerhead population nesting on Masirah Island. The island has historically been one of the largest nesting grounds of loggerhead turtles in the world.

Oman is home to four of the seven species of turtles found in the world, including the world’s second largest population of loggerhead sea turtles. Others include the green turtle, hawksbill turtle and the olive ridley turtle that all nest in the sultanate.

The leatherback turtle, a fifth species, can sometimes be found visiting Omani waters for feeding or whilst migrating. All of these species are listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List and face high risk of extinction in the wild.