The Environment Authority (EA) has spotted a Bryde's whale in Musandam Governorate since the launch of the Marine Mammal Species Survey Project, which began in 2023 and continued over five different phases.
Aida bint Khalaf al Jabri, project leader, said that this monitoring is an important step in understanding the spread of rare or previously undocumented marine species in Musandam Governorate, underscoring the importance of continuing environmental surveys to protect biodiversity in the Sultanate of Oman.
She added that the project represents a pioneering initiative that links fieldwork and scientific research, and contributes to building a national database that enhances the Sultanate of Oman's efforts to protect marine organisms and sustain them for future generations.
Bryde's whales are a medium-sized species of whale, characterized by a long, streamlined body, a blue-gray color, and three prominent protrusions on top of their heads that distinguish them from other whales.
This whale is known for its stealthy behavior and rapid movements, as it prefers warm waters and feeds on small fish and plankton using the "surge and swallow" method. It is often seen alone or in small groups.
Bryde's whale or the Bryde's whale complex, putatively comprises three species of rorqual and maybe four.
The complex means the number and classification remain unclear because of a lack of definitive information and research. The common Bryde's whale (Balaenoptera brydei, Olsen, 1913) is a larger form that occurs worldwide in warm temperate and tropical waters.
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