Muscat – Environment Authority (EA), in cooperation with the Office of Deputy Wali of Shalim and Hallaniyat Islands, conducted a ten-day field survey to study the flora and fauna and marine creatures in the Hallaniyat Islands.

The survey aimed to identify ecosystems and search for fresh water sources on the islands. Work teams were divided into foot patrols and employed trap cameras and drones in the survey.

The work team monitored 13 species of plants and 14 species of mammals, reptiles, insects, amphibians and whales such as the Arabian humpback whale on Hallaniyat Island.

The team also monitored Bottlenose dolphin, mountain goats, grasshoppers, and 9 types of birds, such as eagles, gray heron, white herons, wheatears, crows and sandpipers.

The team issued a number of recommendations with the aim of increasing interest in the islands to protect the biodiversity of plants, animals and marine life.

The team also recommended the experiment of releasing deer on the islands due to the lack of predators, establishing a nursery to propagate fennel and mangrove plants and cultivate other species, expanding the campaign to combat and eliminate invasive birds on the islands, and implementing diving and cleaning campaigns for coral reefs to protect marine life.