Reporting oil spills is a civic duty, EA urges public

MUSCAT: Public awareness and prompt reporting are the first lines of defence in reducing the impact of oil spills and protecting Oman’s environment and natural resources, according to an awareness campaign launched by the Environment Authority (EA) in coordination with the National Risk Register.

The campaign highlights the public’s role in responding safely when an oil spill is detected in their area, stressing that quick action and cooperation with relevant authorities can help minimise environmental, health and economic damage.

“An oil spill can have environmental, health and economic impacts. A quick response and cooperation with the relevant authorities help minimise damage,” the campaign states.

The awareness material outlines key safety measures, including maintaining a safe distance from affected areas, avoiding direct contact with oil and refraining from swimming in contaminated waters.

The authority also advised the public not to attempt cleaning or removing oil spills themselves, urging them to leave such operations to specialised response teams and report incidents immediately through official channels.

Residents are encouraged to report sightings of oil slicks, marine pollution or the death of marine organisms, while following official instructions and avoiding the spread of unverified information.

The Environment Authority (EA) warned that oil spills can cause serious damage to marine ecosystems by contaminating seawater and beaches, threatening fish, seabirds, sea turtles and coral reefs.

Such incidents can also have economic consequences, affecting fisheries, fishermen’s livelihoods, tourism activities and local economies.

As part of its response mechanism, the EA activates the Environmental Emergency Plan and coordinates with relevant authorities to assess the scale of spills, monitor their movement and implement containment measures.

Field teams use modern technologies to track the spread of pollution, while specialists oversee control operations, assess environmental damage, test water quality and guide long-term restoration efforts.

The authority stressed that protecting Oman’s marine environment is a collective responsibility and that timely reporting plays a crucial role in safeguarding natural resources for future generations.