New study on whales
launched in the Emirate of Fujairah, U.A.E
The shallow seas
along the Sea of Oman coast of the Emirate of Fujairah slope seawards for
several kilometres before the seabed drops precipitously. Deep sea underwater
cliffs and vast canyons plunge to over 2,000m deep, punctuated by sea mounts,
pinnacles and ridges. This unexplored underwater realm is cold and dark, and
carries the immense pressure of the weight of the water above it. It is hard to
imagine that life could thrive in such conditions, and yet this deep sea
habitat supports one of the largest and most formidable predators on the planet
– the mighty sperm whale.
This at least is the
theory behind a new scientific research project just launched in the Emirate of
Fujairah. Supported by the Office of the Crown Prince of the Emirate of
Fujairah, U.A.E, the study will be lead by a team of international whale
scientists from Five Oceans Environmental Services and will involve systematic
scientific surveys to try and detect the presence of sperm whales and other
whales and dolphins off the Emirate, based on visual transects from vessels and
acoustic surveys using hydrophones (underwater microphones) to pick up the
clicks and calls that sperm whales use to navigate, find prey and communicate
with other members of their pod.
Live sperm whales
were last documented off the Emirate over twenty years ago, when both solitary
males and pods of females were sighted due east of the Port of Fujairah.
Since
then, at least two dead sperm whales have washed up on the shoreline suggesting
their continued presence here. Finding out whether or not they still live in
this area is the first objective of the study. Once located the sperm whales
will be subject to in depth study to better understand their behaviour,
ecology, seasonality and ultimately their population status, structure and
origins. The latter will involve genetic study of DNA based on tissue sample
collection using biopsy techniques.
Although very large,
with males weighing up to 40 tonnes and measuring up to 16 meters, sperm whales
are difficult to locate and study. They spend long periods of time underwater,
regularly diving to depths of hundreds of metres and remaining submerged for up
to an hour. It is at these depths that the whales forage, looking for prey such
as giant squid and large deep sea fish that studies elsewhere in the world have
shown to be among their favourite food. In the Arabian region, however, almost
nothing is known about diet, or anything else to do with these mysterious
creatures and the study off the Emirate of Fujairah will be the first ever
dedicated study of sperm whales in the region.
A range of other
whales and dolphins are also expected to be encountered during the surveys such
as bottlenose dolphins, false killer whales, Risso’s dolphins and Arabian
long-beaked common dolphins, as well as other marine wildlife, such as pelagic
seabirds, turtles, game fish, sharks, rays, tuna and kingfish. A separate
research study conducted over the past few years has already revealed a
remarkable diversity of sea snakes, including eight species from the Emirate of
Fujairah.
It is considered
important to study understand the large marine mammals that inhabit the waters
off the Emirate of Fujairah, U.A.E., and to protect them from threats posed by
human activities, such as shipping and fishing. The study will help to inform us
of how best to look after these ocean giants. Depending on the results of the
first phase of research, a second phase will be planned which will encourage
participation of interested Emirati University students and will seek the
support of fishermen and the Port of Fujairah.
The public will be able to follow the progress of the study via a
dedicated website, and facebook, instagram and twitter accounts.
Peter Dickinson
Independent International Zoo Consultant        |
