11 June 2006
MUSCAT -- The Ministry of Regional Municipalities, Environment and Water Resources launched a vital project in Masirah Island yesterday to monitor the turtles via satellite. The project was launched in cooperation with Total Foundation and its Oman branch Total SA Cos. The first of its kind in the Sultanate, the project will study and maintain four species of turtles the Rumani and Al Khadra (Al Hamsa), Al Sharfaf and Al Zaytoonyah (Taghshar) nesting at the Masirah Island shores throughout the year. The project will set sustainable development-based general administrative plan to maintain the original marine and coastal systems at Masirah Island.
The remote monitoring device, currently being operated by a specialised company, constitutes an integrated part of the project whereas transmitting devices being operated via satellite will be attached to shields of 10 nos of Rumani turtles, nesting across Masirah beaches. The female turtle species at Masirah Island is considered the world's biggest in size. With the assistance of specialised programme, the project's experts will be able to monitor these turtles throughout their migrations to gather information on their destination and whereabouts.
These data will be analysed daily on the website to identify the whereabouts of the turtles' movement. Maps of the turtles could be generated, as well. The significance of the project stems from the necessity to monitor marine turtles and keep a balanced marine environment. The whereabouts of turtles and where they stay most of the time could also be identified, thus reducing the possibility of their injury or death by alerting people not to disturb the specified place. The project is significant as it will protect turtles against danger as they travel thousands of kilometres in the sea.
MUSCAT -- The Ministry of Regional Municipalities, Environment and Water Resources launched a vital project in Masirah Island yesterday to monitor the turtles via satellite. The project was launched in cooperation with Total Foundation and its Oman branch Total SA Cos. The first of its kind in the Sultanate, the project will study and maintain four species of turtles the Rumani and Al Khadra (Al Hamsa), Al Sharfaf and Al Zaytoonyah (Taghshar) nesting at the Masirah Island shores throughout the year. The project will set sustainable development-based general administrative plan to maintain the original marine and coastal systems at Masirah Island.
The remote monitoring device, currently being operated by a specialised company, constitutes an integrated part of the project whereas transmitting devices being operated via satellite will be attached to shields of 10 nos of Rumani turtles, nesting across Masirah beaches. The female turtle species at Masirah Island is considered the world's biggest in size. With the assistance of specialised programme, the project's experts will be able to monitor these turtles throughout their migrations to gather information on their destination and whereabouts.
These data will be analysed daily on the website to identify the whereabouts of the turtles' movement. Maps of the turtles could be generated, as well. The significance of the project stems from the necessity to monitor marine turtles and keep a balanced marine environment. The whereabouts of turtles and where they stay most of the time could also be identified, thus reducing the possibility of their injury or death by alerting people not to disturb the specified place. The project is significant as it will protect turtles against danger as they travel thousands of kilometres in the sea.
© Oman Daily Observer 2006
