Does mankind take nature for granted? We talk about conflicts in economics and in power trying to challenge each other, but one group that is currently suffering is marine life. Conflicts can disrupt ecosystems.
The earth is already facing challenges with climate change. But that does not stop man from polluting the ocean.
Sometimes it could be a mishap, but the ones to suffer are the marine life.
The oil leak from the grounded tanker Caroline Bezengi has raised concerns for the marine life.
Oman Water Society's Chairman, Zaher al Sulaimani, says it is a catastrophe where the damage is not only for the sealife and fishery industry but also for all the environment in the area and the seawater, which is the source of drinking water. It is a real tragedy.
The Environment Authority is taking the necessary steps to tackle the pollution scientifically. There have been instructions for the fishermen to stay clear. But environmentalists are deeply concerned about a specific species — the Arabian Sea humpback whale, the world’s only non-migratory humpback population.
Ishani P Cooney, a marine microbiologist and scientific diver, told WIRED Middle East that unlike other populations, it cannot relocate from contaminated feeding grounds.
The Arabian Sea humpback whale is one of the most studied cetaceans of Oman.
They do not migrate, and throughout the year they remain right here in Oman.
The Arabian Sea humpback whale has a special place in my heart because one of my first interviews on Radio Oman was on this wonderful creature. The interview was with none other than the dedicated marine biologist Robert Baldwin, marine conservationist, and the author of the books 'Whales and Dolphins of Arabia' and 'Marine Life of Arabian Seas', among others.
The Arabian Sea humpback whale is a feeding and breeding resident of Oman, and according to experts, it could have been isolated for about 70,000 years. They are protected in Oman, just as all wildlife in the country. The Arabian Sea humpback whale subpopulation is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
For a nation that takes pride in its natural wealth, this is indeed a difficult situation. Oman has numerous nature reserves where citizens play an important role in conservation and protection.
The Environment Authority has just launched the new edition of the 'Guardians of the Environment' programme for the year 2026 at the Turtle Reserve, with the participation of volunteers from various governorates of Oman.
Here too, we can see a combination of experiences that combines volunteer work, environmental awareness, and contribution to protecting wildlife and preserving its natural resources.
However, all that is on land; it is a different situation when it comes to the ocean that has international users.
Ahmed al Mahrouqi, who is into the preservation of heritage, reflected on how certain plastics and other wastes from ships wash up to the shore.
Environment safety must be etched in our thoughts and actions. It is not a job for specialists. Our awareness should not be just about our immediate surroundings. It is time to learn to look at the big picture. The seawater is also a source of drinking water through the desalination process. The sea is not just there to provide us food. It is home for millions of marine lives.
There are many initiatives that have been taken to protect marine mammals, and one of them is the conservation efforts for the Arabian Sea humpback whale that are anchored by a newly approved international framework and dedicated field initiatives led by Oman and local organisations.
In March 2026, the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) officially endorsed a regional Conservation Management Plan (CMP), which was subsequently approved by the International Whaling Commission (IWC) Scientific Committee in June 2026 to coordinate protection across the northern Indian Ocean. Another national initiative is the habitat monitoring, where the Oman Environment Authority actively tracks whale pods and habitat health near Masirah Island.
The national workshop held in July 2026 significantly upgraded emergency rescue protocols for stranded or tangled marine mammals.
The Port of Duqm Whale Management Programme enforces strict ship speed limits, provides incoming vessel guidelines, and educates local fishermen to minimise ship strikes and net entanglement. The Environment Society of Oman (ESO) leads ongoing boat-based photo identification, acoustic tracking, and community awareness campaigns.
For sure, the best hands are working to clear the oil, and not to forget, nature is also known for its resilience. Nature is known for the ability to bounce back.
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