Regional promise to protect Arabian Sea’s humpbacks

A plan to coordinate protection of the endangered Arabian Sea humpback whale has been adopted at the 70th meeting of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) in Hobart, Australia. For a population that moves through the waters of several countries, the plan marks a step towards managing its future as a shared regional responsibility.
The Arabian Sea population is believed to number fewer than 100 whales. Unlike other humpback populations, these whales live year-round in the same waters rather than migrating between tropical breeding grounds and polar or temperate feeding grounds. Their small population size and isolation leave them especially vulnerable to changes in their marine environment.
The IWC meeting, held from September 27 to October 2, 2026, marked the final stage in adopting the regional plan, which was endorsed earlier this year by the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS).
Called a Conservation Management Plan, the joint IWC-CMS framework is intended to help range states coordinate research, monitoring and conservation. This regional approach matters because the whales move between countries’ national waters, while many of the pressures they face, including shipping activity and entanglement in fishing gear, cross maritime borders.
The plan identifies four priorities: research and monitoring; reducing threats such as vessel strikes, fisheries entanglement and habitat degradation; regional coordination; and awareness and capacity building through training, public engagement and citizen science.
“The Arabian Sea subpopulation of humpback whales has been assessed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species since 2008”, said Gianna Minton of the Arabian Sea Whale Network. “The adoption of the Conservation Management Plan marks a milestone that fulfils repeated recommendations by the IUCN, CMS and IWC since that time. The Plan should facilitate much-needed collaboration between government, industry, research and conservation stakeholders to protect this population”.
The IWC has identified potential threats from coastal development, offshore hydrocarbon exploration, fishing gear and increased shipping traffic in known whale habitat. A coordinated plan can help countries and other stakeholders share information and align their responses.
Oman has a direct connection to this work. The IWC identifies Oman among the countries that have consistently supported research and action for the population. Muscat hosted a regional workshop in 2025 to advance the plan’s development. The Environment Authority works with government agencies, shipping companies and civil society groups, including the Environment Society of Oman, on issues such as reducing ship-strike risks and addressing abandoned fishing gear. It also supports field research and efforts to build national capacity to respond to whale entanglements and strandings.
“Oman has long recognised its responsibility towards the Arabian Sea humpback whale, a population that depends on our waters throughout the year”, said Ahmed al Shukaili, Director of the Marine Environment Department at the Environment Authority. “The adoption of this plan gives us a clear framework to strengthen research, reduce risks such as ship strikes and abandoned fishing gear, and work hand in hand with our regional partners”.
“What began over 20 years ago as an initiative led by a voluntary group has grown into a comprehensive research programme, gathering the scientific data and evidence that have underpinned our advocacy over many years”, said Suaad Al Harthi of the Environment Society of Oman. “To see that work recognised through formal adoption of the plan is a moment of real significance. We now look forward to the next phase, working closely with local and regional stakeholders to turn the plan into effective conservation action”.
Formed in 2015 to exchange information and raise awareness across the whales’ range, the Arabian Sea Whale Network’s members will continue working together to support implementation. One of the plan’s first tasks will be to secure the funding and support needed to begin its recommended actions.
The plan provides a framework for cooperation, but its impact will depend on putting it into practice. Sustained research can help identify where whales are most exposed to risk, while regional coordination can turn that knowledge into measures suited to shared waters. For a population that occupies this connected marine region, lasting protection will depend on countries maintaining their cooperation.