Muscat: The Environment Authority launched the second phase of the project of tracking sea turtles via satellite technology. The project aims to enhance informational contributions to study the nesting conditions and natural habitat of sea turtles. Five tracking devices were installed in the Ras Al Jinz area to achieve this objective. The project seeks to monitor threats facing turtle migration, reduce environmental risks, conduct surveys, study the nesting conditions and natural habitats of turtles, understand the behaviour of turtles in nesting and feeding areas, track a greater number of green turtles in Ras Al Hadd and combine local and international efforts to apply best practices in protecting sea turtles.
The project, launched on September 6, witnessed the participation of personnel from the Marine Environment Conservation Department, the Environment Preservation Office, the Environment Control Office and supervisors of eco-systems in the coastal governorates along with personnel from the Five Oceans Environmental Services Company.
A’aida bint Khalaf al Jabri, marine environment specialist at the Environment Authority and head of the study team, said the project for satellite tracking of turtles aimed to control sea migration of turtles, apply the best practices for protection of turtles and study their nesting conditions and habitats. It also aims to understand the behaviour of turtles in their habitat and feeding conditions.
She said the programme included training of 20 specialists from various coastal governorates in the Sultanate on the method of installation of satellite tracking devices at Ras Al Hadd and Ras Al Jinz in South Al Sharqiyah Governorate.
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