tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52087770258368544662024-02-08T06:25:35.520+04:00Dhofar Eco BugInfecting the nation with an environmental conscience...Dhofar Eco Bughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02450083059670447161noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208777025836854466.post-79103482355597141102013-09-14T14:40:00.000+04:002013-09-14T19:40:02.624+04:00Shark Attack!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
How many of you saw the title and expected to read about the demise of a poor human in the mouth of a monster? It seems we are largely pre-conditioned to associate sharks with fear and menace. The movie <i>Jaws</i> has a lot to answer for, as does the wider media with its propensity to depict sharks as man-eaters. The reality is that it is the sharks themselves that are under attack - by us! Yes, we, the supposedly 'civilised' human beings are systematically destroying our own planet for profit and greed and simply ignoring the consequences. It makes me unbelievably angry and sad.<br />
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I woke up this morning looking forward to a relaxing day off work, a cup of tea in bed and something to read. I made the mistake of turning on the wifi on my phone and was immediately confronted by a series of images that made me furious and had me jumping up to write this post. Khareef in Dhofar has passed, the fishing boats are out at sea and yet again we are seeing hundreds and hundreds of dead sharks landed at Mirbat harbour (and no doubt elsewhere across Oman too). It's not new, but it doesn't make it any less horrifying, particularly since many of these sharks are endangered. It makes me want to cry. Look at all those hammerheads! How can an endangered species be pulled from the ocean in its hundreds with apparently no regulation or consequence? When will they stop? When there're simply none left? Sharks don't stand a chance against modern fishing fleets and their overall demise may come sooner than we think judging by the quantities of juveniles that are being fished. The problem is that sharks don't seem to illicit much sympathy in people. They are not cute or cuddly and somehow people aren't touched by their plight in the way that they might be for other land-based species. But whether you like them or loathe them, we NEED sharks! They maintain the health of our oceans. Without them we are ALL in trouble. This is the message that doesn't seem to be getting through. Many people don't like sharks, are scared of them and therefore simply don't care about their survival. This is such a naive and ignorant outlook. Sharks are the apex predators of the ocean and they keep other marine life in healthy balance. Our oceans are the most important ecosystem on the planet - supplying us with food, oxygen and controlling temperature and weather. Destroying shark populations could destroy our primary sources of food and air. So if you care about the future and care about your children, you should care about sharks. It really is that simple. Our very existence is dependent, at least in part, upon theirs.<br />
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So even if you can't bring yourself to care about sharks for altruistic reasons, then do it for selfish ones - to protect your own future and that of the next generation. And before you start thinking how nice it might be to get in the ocean and not worry about sharks, let's just put that fear in perspective. You are about 100 times more likely to be killed by a falling coconut than a shark, so watch out for those Salalah palm trees!<br />
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In 2011 there were 17 reported fatalities globally attributed to shark attacks. In the same year 1051 people died on the roads in Oman alone. Go figure!<br />
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I really urge any of you reading this to do whatever you can to make your voice heard on this issue. Petition the supermarkets that continue to sell shark, write to the Ministries, do anything - just don't do nothing! The fishing industry needs regulation. Localised collapse in fisheries will not help the fishermen either, so there needs to be some real awareness and education on these issues. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_VGkipk7wycFpK9_vkmcxegVQ6HHsmbbaDocqLw6hl0dqeYxCKcTxtf09xVaBq-D1hcXsV58GBsaBmzHb3Iihs9YaSbW2eFJzfKnL0XNsMcrULdjd6cGKHwfZ_6euLGhzysKEsvQgEP0/s1600/hammerheads2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_VGkipk7wycFpK9_vkmcxegVQ6HHsmbbaDocqLw6hl0dqeYxCKcTxtf09xVaBq-D1hcXsV58GBsaBmzHb3Iihs9YaSbW2eFJzfKnL0XNsMcrULdjd6cGKHwfZ_6euLGhzysKEsvQgEP0/s400/hammerheads2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: cyan;">Dead hammerhead sharks at Mirbat Harbour </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">The next photo made me particularly sad because, whilst I am not a scientist or expert in shark identification, I could swear that those big-eyed sharks are threshers. They are incredibly distinctive creatures and earlier this year I travelled half way around the world for the chance to be able to dive with them. It is heartbreaking to see them dead in an Omani harbour. Thresher sharks are globally in decline and are classified as 'vulnerable' by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature).</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: cyan;">Dead thresher & hammerhead sharks at Mirbat harbour</span><br />
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I had no idea thresher sharks even frequented Arabian waters. As a scuba diver there are only 2 places on the planet known for thresher shark sightings. I had to travel all the way to the Phillippines to see these amazing and graceful creatures at first-hand. Below is a video I took whilst diving off the island of Malapascua. Here a thresher shark is seen as it should be - in its natural habitat.<br />
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Oman was recently ranked as one of the happiest countries in the world and whilst that may indeed be true for its humans, the same can not be said for its sharks!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPrJhICNn83LxYSUKM1-EAAzSoaI2Th6eYbV74iiwDyeUBUKx2cQMv0hiuwZ348S5GqUOvMylW04wcoE7pCtg1bx4eE1TGcjJbZ9HuaT_cO-gD58ygK5OWFtriaUZv8fA_06j-fEz1x54/s1600/shark+catch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPrJhICNn83LxYSUKM1-EAAzSoaI2Th6eYbV74iiwDyeUBUKx2cQMv0hiuwZ348S5GqUOvMylW04wcoE7pCtg1bx4eE1TGcjJbZ9HuaT_cO-gD58ygK5OWFtriaUZv8fA_06j-fEz1x54/s400/shark+catch.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Dhofar Eco Bughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02450083059670447161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208777025836854466.post-59286890177351729732013-05-24T12:01:00.001+04:002013-05-24T17:03:22.303+04:00Carrefour - Holy Cow!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: small;">For any non-native English speakers reading this, let me first explain that 'holy cow!' is an expression generally used to convey surprise. In this case though, shock would be more appropriate! I heard today that the long-anticipated opening of Carrefour, Salalah finally took place. What shocked me though was not that it finally opened, but rather that they chose to display a live baby cow in a small cage - at the meat counter! Is this some kind of sick joke?! What on earth were they thinking? Animals should not be used for our entertainment, and I can not think of a more inappropriate and cruel environment for a young calf to be in! Not only locked in a small cage, but in the glare of supermarket lights, crowded with people who no doubt found it amusing to taunt and tease it. The poor animal must have been terrified. This is a very bad start for Carrefour. As a global retailer they really should know better. Perhaps some marketing genius thought this would be a great way to demonstrate the freshness of their butchery products? I personally find it incredibly distasteful and it sends out all the wrong messages. If you agree I suggest you write to the manager (Khalid al Khatouri) and express your disapproval.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Has anyone been to Carrefour today? Is the animal still there? If anyone can shed any light on this bizarre situation I would be very interested to hear from you. I would also be interested to know what Carrefour has on their fish counter? I have written <a href="http://www.dhofar-eco.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/omans-shame.html" target="_blank">previously</a> about my concerns over Lulu's sale of sharks. I sincerely hope we will not see shark for sale at Carrefour! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Finally, how's the <a href="http://www.dhofar-eco.blogspot.co.uk/2011/06/plastic-fantastic.html" target="_blank">plastic bag </a>situation?! Dare I be optimistic enough to visualise eco-carriers (as their 'act green' website suggests)? Carrefour, as a new player in Salalah, has the opportunity to set an example and lead the way in promoting more sustainable, responsible ways of shopping. I really hope they take the opportunity that Lulu so clearly missed and don't just fall into the same old lazy ways of all the other retailers in Salalah. Now that there is more choice consumers can vote with their feet. I hope we will see positive change as a result!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZYA76D9JM09YCtbgyKCPsISDAICYoh1yR-0V_z2i6PhmfAqcavKdmscCAGhWqS8jlildAyWjswaewndxnkpmGGgKXuL37R_P5povv3s-FSetpNr3-yNmpnDNPND4pM0nW6sFHihc4sv4/s1600/cow2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZYA76D9JM09YCtbgyKCPsISDAICYoh1yR-0V_z2i6PhmfAqcavKdmscCAGhWqS8jlildAyWjswaewndxnkpmGGgKXuL37R_P5povv3s-FSetpNr3-yNmpnDNPND4pM0nW6sFHihc4sv4/s320/cow2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: cyan; font-size: x-small;">Photos courtesy & copyright of S Anil Kumar</span></div>
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Dhofar Eco Bughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02450083059670447161noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208777025836854466.post-92022553409991277232012-12-07T14:49:00.001+04:002012-12-07T15:10:00.569+04:00Why All The Dead Fish?!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: small;">Something concerning is happening in Salalah's waters. The fish are dying and nobody seems to know why. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieHRHtZZCZGznnVpqJEFII2w6PZGbydjxZV2d3Cc93QrRys3NRibly61mW51R-l4qwOJ7fLSrT1woI8X7i7EjzBC5n718X-PuFk-RoO9-WbwDsXa3qGr5X9Wd2SvrSRlXK289kOvq5zkI/s1600/IMG_5344.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieHRHtZZCZGznnVpqJEFII2w6PZGbydjxZV2d3Cc93QrRys3NRibly61mW51R-l4qwOJ7fLSrT1woI8X7i7EjzBC5n718X-PuFk-RoO9-WbwDsXa3qGr5X9Wd2SvrSRlXK289kOvq5zkI/s200/IMG_5344.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: small;">I first heard about dead fish floating around Raysut fishing port around 10 days ago. Subsequently, I heard of dead fish, baby sharks and eels washing up around the beach near the Hilton. Initially I thought nothing of it - assuming they were by-catch or discards. Sadly it seems to be common practice here for fishermen to throw what they don't want from their catch onto the beach rather than back into the sea. It has become clear, however, that what is going on just now is an entirely different, and unexplained, phenomenon. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I went to take a look for myself a couple of days ago and found that the beach in Raysut was absolutely covered in dead fish. Similarly, the surface of the water was dotted with bloated, silvery carcasses. It was a similar story in front of the Hilton (though to a lesser extent). </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp9hRy8H0Z1ItmHe5Ybl0tcg0bNtd-6c0zYkKUdNNvOUd5opVD2KUBGIauzsT0xnmNlrvXgyYBJU_knm_DxQ_Gl9aHBo-TskShlTvfFrCe7-X6zM8DAP9QnElta5LhrhXszIIBJfsCSaM/s1600/IMG_5306.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp9hRy8H0Z1ItmHe5Ybl0tcg0bNtd-6c0zYkKUdNNvOUd5opVD2KUBGIauzsT0xnmNlrvXgyYBJU_knm_DxQ_Gl9aHBo-TskShlTvfFrCe7-X6zM8DAP9QnElta5LhrhXszIIBJfsCSaM/s200/IMG_5306.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: small;">Rumours are rife and there has been much speculation as to what is going on, but I have yet to come across a plausible explanation. Some are claiming it's a natural phenomenon - talking about oxygen deprivation and the effects of khareef on water temperatures and currents. To me this doesn't ring true. Khareef is an annual occurrence in this part of the world and I know people who've lived here more than a decade who've never seen anything like this before. Furthermore, why would the 'death zone' be isolated to the Raysut/Port/Hilton area (which it mostly appears to be)?</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: cyan;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Dead fish at Raysut</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Another reason (given by Hilton hotel staff I believe) is that a fishing vessel overturned. There are a couple of reasons why this doesn't add up. Firstly, sources at Salalah Port have told me that they haven't heard of any such incident (and basically, anything bigger than a small, local boat, they would know about). Secondly, fish are continuing to die more than 10 days later. How could that be if they'd all just tipped into the ocean from a boat? When I went to Raysut there were fish in varying stages of decay. Some had clearly been dead a long time, whilst others were relatively fresh, and some were still alive - flapping and gasping for breath in the surf. These were not healthy fish. I tried to throw some of them back into deeper water but they seemed unable to swim - tilting onto their sides and being thrown back up the beach in the waves.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsG2VqyVEMbIwupB9-a_4rVKG2OgAQBW074a2D9X72llznThn8GQcD32rgJas_v9z3QgPAqxgOCr6Su49rf6NeFDNm5ynw1spYXjSKH6La1FlvcOpT40VS7yRy9giQjxk4wkswMzehLxQ/s1600/IMG_5308.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsG2VqyVEMbIwupB9-a_4rVKG2OgAQBW074a2D9X72llznThn8GQcD32rgJas_v9z3QgPAqxgOCr6Su49rf6NeFDNm5ynw1spYXjSKH6La1FlvcOpT40VS7yRy9giQjxk4wkswMzehLxQ/s200/IMG_5308.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: small;">I am no expert and any reasons I give are also pure speculation. All I do know is that something is very wrong - it's clear to see. Salalah has a lot of industry, especially in this area, and it concerns me that there may have been some kind of leak (oil, fuel, chemicals? who knows?). Either way, surely there has to be some kind of investigation. Has the water been tested? If there is any kind of contaminant then people have a right to know, and action needs to be taken to minimise the environmental impact. For now, fishing continues as normal, but who can say if the fish are safe to eat? I have heard some reports of dead seabirds but I haven't seen any for myself. I can't know if this is related or not and, if so, whether they were killed by whatever killed the fish, or died as a result of eating the fish. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">To the best of my knowledge, there has been no reporting on this issue. If anyone knows otherwise, or has any information at all, then please do get in touch.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7umlGZTSCxyHciw2yspa0mZQzCudTk1yUAZ-1a_85_BA9sf9ACQmcDEoZdyTt2_UuX5Df1EKv3l1-B8B5aStit1rfUWaB3AvvVhQyA4m6aPSK2ahG3BdvrI_HPaALZRBMwZT-NoH8Qnk/s1600/IMG_5376.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7umlGZTSCxyHciw2yspa0mZQzCudTk1yUAZ-1a_85_BA9sf9ACQmcDEoZdyTt2_UuX5Df1EKv3l1-B8B5aStit1rfUWaB3AvvVhQyA4m6aPSK2ahG3BdvrI_HPaALZRBMwZT-NoH8Qnk/s320/IMG_5376.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: cyan; font-size: x-small;">Fishermen heading out in a sea of dead fish</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
Dhofar Eco Bughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02450083059670447161noreply@blogger.com7Salalah, Oman17.01387 54.0922716.8924005 53.9343415 17.1353395 54.250198499999996tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208777025836854466.post-39248752029476436942012-09-13T10:57:00.000+04:002012-09-13T11:10:20.531+04:00Masirah Turtle Adventure!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: small;"><i>A version of this article appeared in the <a href="http://main.omanobserver.om/node/109252" target="_blank">Oman Observer</a> on 12th September 2012</i> </span><span style="font-size: small;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: small;">Recently I had the opportunity to spend a
couple of weeks on the island of Masirah, volunteering on a turtle project.
When I was contacted about it, I first had to
look up exactly where Masirah was, and how to get there. Surprisingly for somewhere with so much to
boast about, the island is still relatively unknown. With a small population centred in the town
of Hilf, and accessible only by a 1.5 – 2 hour ferry journey from the mainland
(and a <i>long</i> drive depending on your
point of origin), Masirah remains somewhat inaccessible. That is something to be grateful for and
probably the island’s saving grace, for Masirah is much more than just a sleepy
Omani outpost, the island is of real global significance as it is home to
arguably the largest population of nesting loggerhead turtles in the world. This is no small accolade and one that is not
without responsibility. Nature has
blessed Masirah with four species of nesting marine turtle (loggerhead, green,
hawksbill and olive ridley) and Oman must recognise and fulfill its duty to do
everything in its power to protect these endangered species.</span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: small;">Masirah is still, thankfully, relatively
unspoilt, but nonetheless human actions are already causing significant threats
to the turtles, and this is only likely to worsen as increasing development
takes place. </span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: small;">Nature is already tough on turtles before
man-made problems are even taken into account.
Turtle hatchlings have an incredibly difficult start in life and,
witnessing at first-hand their battle to emerge from their nests and reach the
ocean, it can be hard to imagine how any survive into adulthood at all. </span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: small;">As a scuba diver I am used to seeing turtles
underwater – where they move swiftly and with graceful ease. Seeing them on land is a
different experience entirely. It’s so abundantly clear how difficult the
journey is for them. The large, heavy females drag their bodies up the beach in
search of a suitable nesting spot, and many cover huge, exhausting distances
before they even begin the process of digging, laying and covering their nests,
before heading back to the sea. </span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: small;">Here, at a new nest, the circle of life begins
(or ends prematurely, depending on circumstance). Turtle eggs are hugely vulnerable to
predation by numerous animals, and humans have also been known to harvest eggs
for consumption. Furthermore, nests that
are close to the shore can become water submerged causing the eggs to rot. For those that survive to full-term, their
troubles have only just begun. The
hatchlings have to dig their way out, orientate themselves and run the gauntlet
of seagulls and crabs to reach the ocean.
Make no mistake - the seagulls and crabs on Masirah are vicious and
plentiful - and nature has not been kind to hatchlings, making them a colour
that is camouflaged neither on land nor in water. For those that make it to the ocean currents,
a whole host of new predators awaits and only very few will survive to reach an age where they can reproduce and begin the process again.
Loggerhead turtles (which are most abundant on Masirah) are deemed to
have reached sexual maturity when their carapace (the hard shell) reaches a
length of 90 cm or more. Unbelievably,
this can take up to 35 years!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: small;">Whilst nature might appear to have given
turtles a raw deal, it is all part of the larger eco system, and the low turtle
survival rates have been balanced out by the sheer number of eggs laid by
individual turtles (100+). Unfortunately
though, that delicate balance is being destroyed by avoidable human actions
that are putting the survival of the world’s sea turtles at serious risk.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqBkQ_YeSR6_67G-E2dwL3hGvCAyy1VhZyn5psXHmxzzw_RXg3nkIoD4bITHcuAyPvbgxURyz_ZBuU0UzghboTSUR0DaspeTvGNPLgwzf5GvoJ7WRodlxE74bngElL8VhvxuWltpVnt2U/s1600/DPP_0332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqBkQ_YeSR6_67G-E2dwL3hGvCAyy1VhZyn5psXHmxzzw_RXg3nkIoD4bITHcuAyPvbgxURyz_ZBuU0UzghboTSUR0DaspeTvGNPLgwzf5GvoJ7WRodlxE74bngElL8VhvxuWltpVnt2U/s320/DPP_0332.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: cyan;">dead turtle lost far from the ocean</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: small;">In just the short time I was there, I witnessed
a number of troubling incidents which raised concern over just how many turtles
are dying needlessly. One adult female turtle was caught in a fishing net
abandoned on the beach (2 of her flippers had become entangled). Luckily we
were able to free her and she made her way back to the ocean. We also found a
hatchling, which looked like it was emerging from a nest, but on closer inspection
had become entangled in some plastic cord which was preventing it from moving.
Again, on this occasion, we were fortunately able to save it. In the space of 2 weeks I also saw three dead
adult turtles on the beach. Following their tracks, the most likely explanation
seemed to be that they got lost. This is
a common problem which can occur due to light pollution which plays havoc with a
turtle’s internal navigation system. Turtles normally rely on natural light
from the moon to help guide them to the sea, but artificial light can cause
them to inadvertently navigate towards the source of that light, finding
themselves lost far from the ocean. Lost
turtles will quickly dehydrate and die once the sun comes up. On one evening we also witnessed a 4x4 parked
on the beach right next to an adult female turtle, with its full-beam
headlights pointing directly at her.
Whilst this may have seemed like an enjoyable outing for the occupants
of the car, for the turtle it was a life-threatening experience. As soon as we approached, the car sped off,
but at least we were able to ensure the turtle found her way back to the
water. It makes me wonder how often this
kind of selfish act goes by unnoticed.</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRM193K4-ZsY5i86jUafUN1m97DBqrVjYl-KMB0AOSy_JFi-hnr5_fYhdBcifywWp6Bna2-AF20Blk8x1dyiUMWQDwpRVwmzGsIxun6-vUYyUFJdehyphenhyphen5TLv4y0e_VZYJ1zAreTPxHL1yI/s1600/turtle+trapped+in+fishing+line.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRM193K4-ZsY5i86jUafUN1m97DBqrVjYl-KMB0AOSy_JFi-hnr5_fYhdBcifywWp6Bna2-AF20Blk8x1dyiUMWQDwpRVwmzGsIxun6-vUYyUFJdehyphenhyphen5TLv4y0e_VZYJ1zAreTPxHL1yI/s200/turtle+trapped+in+fishing+line.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: cyan;">turtle trapped in fishing line</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgsiMW2XRhZ4bZwNchyphenhyphenMrftSUvgILbm79xadBS6Dd2YVXQwZd0CeSuY4pxOkGxW464itjrNyMuKYvJiOs7KWCGrjlC6RwHtBl6lJYRwLpkjcCzYlyLxPWTNvmfdQejFV7uJp2HULYCHXc/s1600/DPP_0721.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgsiMW2XRhZ4bZwNchyphenhyphenMrftSUvgILbm79xadBS6Dd2YVXQwZd0CeSuY4pxOkGxW464itjrNyMuKYvJiOs7KWCGrjlC6RwHtBl6lJYRwLpkjcCzYlyLxPWTNvmfdQejFV7uJp2HULYCHXc/s200/DPP_0721.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: cyan;">another turtle life extinguished :-(</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: small;">Turtles are officially protected in Oman by
Royal Decree (which is great news), but the problem of course lies with
awareness and enforcement. I only saw
one sign on the whole of Masirah with instructions for visitors to the turtle
nesting beaches. Whilst the content was
good, the sign was falling apart and, with only one of them, how many people
would happen to see it? Anyhow,
prohibiting people from doing certain things isn’t in itself useful unless
there are consequences for those that disobey.
Whilst restricting access to the beaches would undoubtedly be unpopular
with locals, it really does seem like a necessity if the turtles are to have a secure
future. Some simple fencing could
prevent vehicle access and also stop the turtles straying into the road, whilst
still leaving beaches open to the public.
The existing tar road already runs very close by the beach, along with
several graded tracks. There really is no need for people to drive right down
to the surf! </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2lnTgPcutZkkfkowfeQuOYn6UtMwtxRfit3EGhcPyPd7gpXzHvtzUlGYgW1hKj_9ZjCsq2OTkRWwoTkYFujeHdpR7AIbPnqn82XGlX8XK1ayKLJVhUy6XNk9UBt697W9UuZxaPLj7EGk/s1600/DPP_0836.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2lnTgPcutZkkfkowfeQuOYn6UtMwtxRfit3EGhcPyPd7gpXzHvtzUlGYgW1hKj_9ZjCsq2OTkRWwoTkYFujeHdpR7AIbPnqn82XGlX8XK1ayKLJVhUy6XNk9UBt697W9UuZxaPLj7EGk/s200/DPP_0836.JPG" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: cyan;">visitor information sign</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: small;">Masirah is a rugged island of exceptional natural
beauty with a turtle population to be extremely proud of. It is also home to an impressive number of
bird species, including the endangered Egyptian vulture. As is common to many island communities, the
residents of Masirah seem closely bonded and somehow different to
their mainland counterparts. There is
huge potential for eco-tourism on the island, but the prospect of it terrifies
me as it has the scope to cause enormous and irrevocable damage unless it is
extremely well managed. Already there is
a new luxury hotel on Masirah, and continued development in the name of
‘progress’ is likely. The Masirah Island
Resort, to be fair to it, is much more understated and low key than I expected,
and their lighting (for a hotel) is very minimal. I was also impressed to see information
displays about turtles and other island wildlife in its lobby (something <a href="http://www.dhofar-eco.blogspot.com/2012/01/turtles-versus-tourists.html" target="_blank">Ras Al Jinz</a> could take note of). Unfortunately though,
and despite these efforts, the nearby turtles will still likely be adversely
effected by the existence of the hotel.
I witnessed the effects at first-hand whilst assisting with a study on the impact of artificial light
on turtle hatchlings. Whilst data has not yet been analysed or reported, it
was clear to see that the majority of hatchlings
released on beaches in the vicinity of artifical light (streetlights, building light etc.) travelled
towards the source of that light and hence away from the sea. </span><br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: small;">Tourism on the island is currently still
minimal and Western tourists at least, travel there more for kite-surfing than
anything else. In fact, some seemed surprised to know that turtles even existed
there! Turtles certainly do keep anti-social hours so it would be easy to miss
them, although their telltale tracks are everywhere.</span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: small;">Some efforts <i>are</i> being made on Masirah with regard to the turtles. Numerous research projects have been
undertaken (and I believe are ongoing) and <a href="http://www.eso.org.om/" target="_blank">ESO</a> employ resident rangers who
patrol the beaches to collect data. More, however, can and should be done. A simple initiative to remove abandoned
fishing nets and other litter from the beaches could make an enormous
difference.</span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: small;">Turtles are truly amazing creatures and
spending time on Masirah was an incredible and unforgettable experience. I will forever be grateful to have had the
opportunity to see so many turtles and hatchlings close-up in their natural
habitat on deserted, isolated beaches.
Masirah is a wonderful place inhabited by a proud and friendly community.
I hope it can move forward into the future whilst still retaining its charm
and, even more importantly, creating a safe haven for its unique marine
visitors!</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Human threats specific to Masirah include the
following:<b><span lang="EN-CA"> </span></b></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span lang="EN-CA">Abandoned fishing line & other
litter on beaches</span></b>
(nesting females & hatchlings get caught in nets and other debris, become
dehydrated and die.</span> </li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span lang="EN-CA">Cars driving on nesting beaches </span></b><span lang="EN-CA">(this disturbs nesting turtles,
meaning they may return to the ocean without laying. Furthermore, hatchlings
are often crushed by vehicles or get stuck in deep tyre tracks from which they
can’t escape. Nests can also be damaged.
Also, cars driving at night with lights on cause a significant danger to
turtles as the lights disorientate them and they can become lost and not find
their way back to the ocean. Lost turtles will quickly dehydrate and die when
the sun comes up)</span></span> </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span lang="EN-CA">Artificial lighting from street
lights, buildings etc.</span></b><span lang="EN-CA"> (artificial light plays havoc with a turtle’s internal navigation system,
which relies on natural light from the moon to help guide it to the sea.
Turtles inadvertently navigate towards the source of the artificial light,
finding themselves lost far from the ocean)</span></span> </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span lang="EN-CA">Human consumption of turtle eggs
& meat</span></b><span lang="EN-CA"> (whilst
I have no direct evidence of this taking place, some of the locals I spoke to
said that this has been known to occur. How prolific or not this is I have no
idea. It may well have been more common historically when, as an isolated
island nation, they had no other easy access to meat.)</span><b><span lang="EN-CA"> </span></b></span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span lang="EN-CA">Capture in fishing nets </span></b><span lang="EN-CA">(Masirah is very much a fishing
community and relies heavily on fishing for much of its income. It is
inevitable that some turtles will become accidentally entangled in nets and may
also be struck by boats)</span></span></li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: small;"><i>A version of this article appeared in the <a href="http://main.omanobserver.om/node/109252" target="_blank">Oman Observer</a> on 12th September 2012</i> </span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
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</div>
Dhofar Eco Bughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02450083059670447161noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208777025836854466.post-53169657337901647582012-06-19T20:13:00.000+04:002012-06-19T22:02:10.334+04:00Could We Grow Fruit Trees in the Omani Desert?!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: small;">Well, if a certain Dutch inventor is to be believed, then the answer is a resounding yes - and we could do so without irrigation!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Pieter Hoff is the founder of a company that has pioneered a planting technology called <a href="http://www.groasis.com/" target="_blank">Groasis</a>. Yesterday he was in Salalah to give a presentation at Dhofar University and introduce the concept to us.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Mr. Hoff began by talking about the global problem of depletion of groundwater reserves. He stated that 4 countries in the world have no groundwater at all. He didn't say which countries these were, but if that statistic is true then it is truly shocking. He also went on to talk about how groundwater is becoming contaminated with salt water (an issue which apparently exists here in Oman). With this shortage of water and a growing population (expected to hit 10 billion in the next 25-35 years) he concluded that there needed to be a way for agriculture to use less water. It was this thinking that led him to develop the <a href="http://www.groasis.com/en/other/faq" target="_blank">'waterboxx'</a>. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Mr. Hoff pointed out that, in nature, trees can and do grow in the desert and in rocky areas. Anyone who has visited the desert here will know this to be true. In other words, there <i>is</i> enough rainfall in the desert to sustain plant life. The problem isn't actually the quantity of rainfall (more rain falls in the desert than we imagine) but the fact that it all falls in a very short time period (perhaps 2 weeks). Seeds therefore germinate when the rain falls, but then everything dries up and the young plants die. Without getting too scientific, Mr. Hoff's <a href="http://www.groasis.com/en/summary/summary-groasis-technology" target="_blank">'waterboxx</a>' is a bio-mimicry technology - in other words it copies how Mother Nature solves the problem of growing trees in desert regions. The <i>waterboxx</i> assists the tree through the planting period until it can reach natural water and self-sustain. A lot of this is to do with having the right kind of roots (called primary roots) which allow a plant to break through hard ground (even rock) to reach water. Mr. Hoff explained this very well, but I suspect I'm failing to! Anyone wishing to understand the subject better would be well advised to look at the <a href="http://www.groasis.com/" target="_blank">website!</a></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Overall, the technology came across as simple yet clever and, importantly, affordable. No irrigation is necessary and it appears to have an excellent success rate, judging by existing projects in various countries around the world. In future there are also plans to make the <i>waterboxxes</i> from cellulose material. In a country like Oman, that would mean being able to make the system from readily available materials like palm leaves.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Whilst <a href="http://www.groasis.com/" target="_blank">Groasis</a> is evidently a business and Mr. Hoff will of course have a vested interest in its success, I really found his argument to be very persuasive. If this technology works and is adopted it could have multiple positive effects - reduced reliance on groundwater, reforestation of desert areas, food production and a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions due to an increase in trees. It seems like a very good result. Interestingly, a planting experiment using this technology has already taken place in Sohar Free Zone. I don't know when it was initiated, but it would certainly be of interest to know how it is proceeding.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Incidentally, I should say that I am in no way affiliated to the company - I just found the product to be very interesting and thought you might too! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Mr. Hoff says that his dream is to replant the 2 billion hectares of land that man has cut over the last 2000 years. I wish him every success!</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinj1ASnqezWdUtDSTWAABsqWOTMfcaeAJkwodDUM0Nlefvu_EStO6WbYOJ6jotpxYwoyQ9zDE3qekHznzToix1wSu0pxL32SYmTdaW6zNnQMIljsXum04hkUPDBfmL-Zhg6sYBCMyuCVs/s1600/waterboxx.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinj1ASnqezWdUtDSTWAABsqWOTMfcaeAJkwodDUM0Nlefvu_EStO6WbYOJ6jotpxYwoyQ9zDE3qekHznzToix1wSu0pxL32SYmTdaW6zNnQMIljsXum04hkUPDBfmL-Zhg6sYBCMyuCVs/s400/waterboxx.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Groasis planting experiment at Sohar Free Zone, Oman. </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;">Image reproduced from http://www.groasis.com/en/photos/photoalbum/oman</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>Dhofar Eco Bughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02450083059670447161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208777025836854466.post-58864846790071112592012-04-18T10:25:00.000+04:002012-04-18T10:35:57.146+04:00Volunteer to plant trees in Salalah!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: small;">To mark Earth Day on 22nd April, several tree planting events are taking place in Salalah. The events will see native trees (including frankincense) planted in a number of locations. Everyone is welcome, and encouraged, to join in. Details are as follows:</span><br />
<br />
<div style="color: cyan;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Sunday 22nd April: 8am - College of Applied Science, Salalah</span></div>
<div style="color: cyan;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: cyan;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Monday 23rd April: 8am - Frankincense Park, Adoneb</span></div>
<div style="color: cyan;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: cyan;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Monday 23rd - Wednesday 25th April: 8am - Rakhyout, Dhalkout, Al Mazyoona </span></div>
<div style="color: cyan;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">If you would like to take part, please confirm your participation to:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Mohammed Al Mashani (for Frankincense Park event): 92866643</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Mr Majed Akaak (for other events): 95340050</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Happy Planting! :-) </span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-2lKEz55hvARcfpdAK978fTkX6u7l1cpILUBFS7Xt_VQbd8iXhbuciqhjkl5-5NCA5NwUSZNGlIQStThaPLk4iG8tQjLwM-yar_Ni8eybxKRq7MwcCysXcbrUnFbeBhXIheeK0Iaz_SI/s1600/IMG_0392.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-2lKEz55hvARcfpdAK978fTkX6u7l1cpILUBFS7Xt_VQbd8iXhbuciqhjkl5-5NCA5NwUSZNGlIQStThaPLk4iG8tQjLwM-yar_Ni8eybxKRq7MwcCysXcbrUnFbeBhXIheeK0Iaz_SI/s400/IMG_0392.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: cyan;">Boswellia Sacra (frankincense tree)</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
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<br /></div>Dhofar Eco Bughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02450083059670447161noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208777025836854466.post-444607896903966902012-03-30T14:21:00.000+04:002012-03-30T14:21:13.090+04:00Earth Hour & Apathy<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: small;">Tomorrow, 31st March 2012, marks <a href="http://www.earthhour.org/" target="_blank">'Earth Hour'</a> - the global initiative organised by the <a href="http://wwf.panda.org/" target="_blank">World Wide Fund for Nature</a> (WWF) to encourage people across the world to switch off their lights for an hour. The first Earth Hour took place in Australia in 2007 and over the following years has expanded to include participation by millions of people across 135 countries. Here in Oman the event has been championed by <a href="http://www.eso.org.om/" target="_blank">ESO</a>, with landmark buildings like the <a href="http://www.rohmuscat.org.om/" target="_blank">Royal Opera House Muscat </a>agreeing to dim their lights between 8.30 - 9.30pm.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Earth Hour is designed to raise awareness of sustainability issues and to send a message for action on climate change. Whilst I'm all for raising awareness, we have to ensure that that awareness leads to real action and change. My concern is that initiatives like Earth Hour actually allow a lot of people to simply feel like they've done their bit. It assuages their guilty conscience and they carry on as normal until next year. One hour, annually, of turning out the lights is not going to make any difference. People need to <i>live </i>the changes. A token gesture is not enough. I personally will not be taking part in Earth Hour. Not in protest and not because I would find it difficult to sit by candlelight for an hour, but simply because I don't believe that me switching everything off for an hour changes anything. I prefer to be aware of my energy usage every day and to do my best to save resources at <i>all times</i>.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">I don't mean to denigrate those who do take part, and I do think awareness raising is crucial, but I do want to make it clear that people need to do so much more. It often feels to me like I am surrounded by complete apathy. So many people talk a lot but so few are willing to actually do anything. Whilst social media can be a powerful networking tool, it seems also to have bred a generation of people who think that by Facebook 'liking' something they have made a difference. They may, in some abstract way, be showing their support for a cause, but they're changing absolutely nothing. The <a href="http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/stop-lulu-selling-sharks/" target="_blank">petition to stop Lulu selling sharks</a> is a case in point. Many people 'liked' the link to it on Facebook but didn't actually sign it! I don't care about being 'liked', I care about making a difference - and so should you!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">On that note, Happy Earth Hour and, remember, <i>"Be the change you wish to see in the world..."</i></span></div>Dhofar Eco Bughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02450083059670447161noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208777025836854466.post-74395654866283493672012-03-27T10:56:00.000+04:002012-03-27T10:56:13.872+04:00Clean Up Oman - this weekend! 29th March!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ9YVjEFjJ63d_WbgOXcsVFvA6AtVWLTVrFxkGc4_cAwI9Oz_PtclNRCz_F2WuRp-MnE8oiv1u6sKKI5Wt7fkW7yBPM3wutemGVzJ-cQ6IwQhT61v_xm-mUgxa2tERMki1oycuZHsvddk/s1600/cleanup+oman2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="85" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ9YVjEFjJ63d_WbgOXcsVFvA6AtVWLTVrFxkGc4_cAwI9Oz_PtclNRCz_F2WuRp-MnE8oiv1u6sKKI5Wt7fkW7yBPM3wutemGVzJ-cQ6IwQhT61v_xm-mUgxa2tERMki1oycuZHsvddk/s400/cleanup+oman2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">This weekend (Thursday 29th March) will see Oman's biggest ever clean-up taking place nationwide! Here in Dhofar there will be 4 clean-up
teams at the following places:</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Al Dahariz Beach, Salalah</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Next to Municipality Playground,
Taqa</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">East of Fisheries Harbour, Mirbat </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="yiv1382672263text_exposed_show">Next
to the Mosque in Town Centre, Maqshan</span></span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="yiv1382672263text_exposed_show">Start
time is 4.30pm. Please go
along and help out and spread the word to your friends/family and
colleagues. This should be a fun event which will also raise much
needed awareness of the problem of littering. Water, T-shirts and
bin-bags will be provided to participants and the Municipality rubbish
trucks will be there to collect the bin bags at the end.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="yiv1382672263text_exposed_show"></span><span class="yiv1382672263text_exposed_show"> </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="yiv1382672263text_exposed_show">To find out about other locations across Oman check out the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/329057543775403/" target="_blank">Oman Clean Up</a> group on facebook.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMX5rEr6EiVRsv101phpphaAveTu8eBCvmQDsoSL1kMfoz6TC08ELdL34VetsBPOKBcfY5Yg3uygmF6-v4yyv3VjtPIPgPx4d6zb6t5hnVh694IZmol1bF_aZOQZOianiQ8gvJhmibikU/s1600/cleanup+oman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMX5rEr6EiVRsv101phpphaAveTu8eBCvmQDsoSL1kMfoz6TC08ELdL34VetsBPOKBcfY5Yg3uygmF6-v4yyv3VjtPIPgPx4d6zb6t5hnVh694IZmol1bF_aZOQZOianiQ8gvJhmibikU/s640/cleanup+oman.jpg" width="451" /></a></div>
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</div>Dhofar Eco Bughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02450083059670447161noreply@blogger.com0Salalah, Oman17.01387 54.0922716.8924005 53.9343415 17.1353395 54.250198499999996tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208777025836854466.post-37604730252333025882012-03-26T09:05:00.000+04:002012-03-26T09:05:11.647+04:00Sea Legends - Shark Expedition<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: small;">I would like to extend a very warm welcome to <a href="http://www.sealegends.net/" target="_blank">Sea Legends</a>, who are currently in Salalah as part of a 3-week long shark expedition. The team is made up of a very driven, committed and passionate group of volunteers who have come together over a common cause - to protect Oman's sharks and to explore sustainable alternatives to fishing. Over the coming weeks, this team of divers, activists & cameramen will be documenting shark fishing across Oman and its influence on fishing communities and the local economy. You can follow their progress on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sea-Legends/104452932918758" target="_blank">facebook</a> and also read more in this <a href="http://madmikesamerica.com/2012/03/exclusive-interview-marine-protection-activist-avi-bernstein-by-erin-nanasi/" target="_blank">interview with Avi Bernstein</a> - a marine protection activist and one of the core team members. The expedition is only in its infancy, but already shocking images are emerging of scores of dead bull sharks (including pregnant ones), endangered hammerheads and eagle rays. I wish these guys every success and the best of luck, and I sincerely hope that Oman wakes up to this issue before it is too late. It is easy to be overwhelmed by the sheer scale of the problem here, but it is also inspirational to be around people who care enough to self-fund and undertake a project like this. I urge you to show your support! The image below was taken this morning in Salalah fish market where over 50 dead baby sharks were seen, including endangered scalloped hammerheads!</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiZVcp1f4_fqTEZAh0JAZF_gJgdXZ7yLJMskrFS0DKiC0OEWOFduUG4AUcpVOQtgMrc7M1dFtmvnaAIJu_bj0aFIoQm7Ocfb4SuD7yp6ozklXKlGoW5eeNP-kzkVseWbDNFqaXZb4QEWg/s1600/salalah+sharks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiZVcp1f4_fqTEZAh0JAZF_gJgdXZ7yLJMskrFS0DKiC0OEWOFduUG4AUcpVOQtgMrc7M1dFtmvnaAIJu_bj0aFIoQm7Ocfb4SuD7yp6ozklXKlGoW5eeNP-kzkVseWbDNFqaXZb4QEWg/s400/salalah+sharks.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="color: cyan;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo courtesy of Sea Legends</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>Dhofar Eco Bughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02450083059670447161noreply@blogger.com1Salalah, Oman17.01387 54.0922716.8924005 53.9343415 17.1353395 54.250198499999996tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208777025836854466.post-40520010218478420212012-03-18T18:01:00.000+04:002012-03-18T18:14:21.715+04:00Arabian Leopards in Dhofar!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: small;">I had the pleasure earlier this month of meeting Phil Dickinson, who works for <a href="http://www.earthwatch.org/" target="_blank">Earthwatch</a>. Although I had heard of the organisation I was surprised (and delighted!) to learn that they run a programme of research in Oman, including right here in Dhofar! It turns out that Phil was here working with Dhofari colleagues to run Field Skills training for rangers from the <a href="http://www.oman.om/wps/portal/%21ut/p/c0/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os3hjA3cDA39LT18Tp0AXAyMvI2_TYEdjI4NgE_2CbEdFAJCSMWg%21/?WCM_GLOBAL_CONTEXT=/wps/wcm/connect/en/site/home/gov/gov1/gm/moeca/" target="_blank">Ministry of Environment and Climate Affairs</a> (MECA). The rangers manage the Jebel Samhan protected area which is home to the critically endangered Arabian leopard. The current status of the Arabian leopards and their environment in Jebel Samhan is, I learned, being researched jointly by staff from MECA, the Office for Conservation of the Environment (OCE), the National Field Research Centre for
Environmental Conservation, and <a href="http://www.earthwatch.org/europe/our_work/field_research/oman_programme/" target="_blank">Earthwatch</a>. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Although I was vaguely aware that Arabian leopards existed in small numbers in Oman, I am ashamed to admit that my knowledge did not extend beyond that. It was fascinating therefore to learn that this work is taking place locally and to know that there are several dedicated organisations and individuals working to conserve this magnificent species. Seeing some of the project's photographs of these rare leopards (captured on camera traps) was a privilege. They are incredibly beautiful and something Oman should be very proud of. Leopards are, however, increasingly under threat and it is therefore crucial that all necessary efforts are made to conserve Oman's population of these creatures.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">It is my understanding that two local experts are at the core of the leopard work - Hadi al Hikmani and Khaled al Hikmani. I hope to organise a talk by them in the near future to allow us to learn more about their work and have them share their expertise. If you would be interested in attending a presentation on the Arabian leopards of Jebel Samhan please leave a comment or <a href="mailto:dhofar.eco@gmail.com" target="_blank">email me</a> and I will keep you updated!</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg41mgPowmpAxzTTNvKyNnNd38l3egg3sr63kJyfua5ie4P_6PDJH1eoHVcOnye9FylwMUNdWlg24EscC_0I4q_7CQ-XWQhG4n-d2Gc2wTUavgnZqjX6-Jbhho1i96woMfYhfaUh880W_Q/s400/arabian+leopard.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Photo reproduced from http://www.saudiaramcoworld.com (photographer: Andrew Spalton)</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg41mgPowmpAxzTTNvKyNnNd38l3egg3sr63kJyfua5ie4P_6PDJH1eoHVcOnye9FylwMUNdWlg24EscC_0I4q_7CQ-XWQhG4n-d2Gc2wTUavgnZqjX6-Jbhho1i96woMfYhfaUh880W_Q/s1600/arabian+leopard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a></div>
</div>Dhofar Eco Bughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02450083059670447161noreply@blogger.com0Salalah, Oman17.01387 54.0922716.8924005 53.9343415 17.1353395 54.250198499999996tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208777025836854466.post-48050779420624908022012-03-17T09:25:00.000+04:002012-03-18T16:46:09.267+04:00Press Bug!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: small;">It's been a good month for Dhofar Eco Bug, with an article in <a href="http://server4a.pressmart.net/TheWeeknew/index.aspx?issue=07-mar-2012&page=07" target="_blank">The Week</a> and a mention in <a href="http://www.deraskrabbel.nl/" target="_blank">RasKrabbel</a> (a magazine for Dutch ex-pats). I've always been conscious that this blog likely preaches to the converted - after all if you don't have an interest in the environment you probably wouldn't be here - therefore, any chance to get the message out to the wider public is always very welcome. Thanks to everyone who has shown an interest and I hope to see an increase in readers and, more importantly, in local action!! Oddly, the article in <a href="http://server4a.pressmart.net/TheWeeknew/index.aspx?issue=07-mar-2012&page=07" target="_blank">The Week </a>didn't actually include the blog's web address, but hopefully people will find their way here nonetheless...</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmsc8GkjwftzQkbM_3JfxOi9nS2EHPklWPBQYPzSjy15cfAJHG1A6aJXuuZ1lq1iypfYIOi-hQt9Q6zaqbjeO8ZFX47bxK9UZ-x213toedITdPOKkEcuvqlWmIJq5yBeCXPfyerZ8FztU/s1600/IMG_0236.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmsc8GkjwftzQkbM_3JfxOi9nS2EHPklWPBQYPzSjy15cfAJHG1A6aJXuuZ1lq1iypfYIOi-hQt9Q6zaqbjeO8ZFX47bxK9UZ-x213toedITdPOKkEcuvqlWmIJq5yBeCXPfyerZ8FztU/s400/IMG_0236.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The Week</i> - published Wednesday 7th March 2012</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
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<br /></div>Dhofar Eco Bughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02450083059670447161noreply@blogger.com1Salalah, Oman17.01387 54.0922716.8924005 53.9343415 17.1353395 54.250198499999996tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208777025836854466.post-55579254738587416402012-02-11T10:52:00.000+04:002012-02-11T18:11:29.874+04:00Petition to Stop Lulu Selling Sharks!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: small;">Everyone reading - PLEASE sign this <a href="http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/stop-lulu-selling-sharks/">petition</a> to stop Lulu selling sharks, and ask your friends and family to do the same. Whilst this wont solve the problem of <a href="http://www.dhofar-eco.blogspot.com/2012/02/omans-shame.html">shark fishing in Oman</a> and beyond, it would be a small step in the right direction. We need to do what we can! I have also written a template letter that you can use to write directly to Lulu and their parent company EMKE. If you would like a copy of the letter please email me: dhofar.eco@gmail.com </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">P.S. If you are a blogger and you support this cause, please promote it on your own blog! Similarly, the more this gets around Facebook/Twitter etc. the more chance we have of collecting a significant number of signatures. Please do your bit to be part of the solution! Many thanks!!</span></div>Dhofar Eco Bughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02450083059670447161noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208777025836854466.post-39380345699169820962012-02-07T15:06:00.002+04:002012-03-17T08:34:24.083+04:00Oman's Shame!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: small;">As a scuba-diver and someone who likes to see marine life in its natural habitat, I have always been saddened by the piles of little sharks evident in fish markets and on fish counters at Lulu supermarkets across the country. Some of these small sharks might be a diminutive species, but I suspect many are simply babies - whipped out of the ocean at a tender age and denied the chance to grow and reproduce. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out the grave consequences of that. Where will the next generation of sharks come from?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Everyday I see more and more disturbing evidence of unregulated and unsustainable fishing practices and I am becoming increasingly angry. Why is nothing being done??</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Oman is currently basking in the glory of having Muscat voted one of <a href="http://www.lonelyplanet.com/england/london/travel-tips-and-articles/76861">Lonely Planet's top 10 cities</a> to visit as well as <a href="http://www.muscat2012.om/muscat/index.html">Arab Tourism Capital 2012</a>. I wonder what tourists would make of what is going on? Oman undoubtedly has much to offer foreign visitors, but for how long? Just like it's oil wont last forever, it's ocean bounty wont either. Once Oman has finished pillaging the sea and building monstrosities on every last unspoilt coastline, what will be left? An opera house and some shopping malls?! Oman's point of difference from it's GCC neighbours lies in its natural beauty, its ruggedness, its lack of in-your-face commercialism. Much of Oman is still like travelling back in time. This is the beauty of the country and what makes it so unique and appealing. It is incredibly distressing that short-term thinking is likely to be responsible for the destruction of all that for future generations. And let me be clear - this isn't just about tourism (an industry Oman will become increasingly reliant on). It's about Omani children, and their children's children. In the words of an Italian friend commenting on a shocking photo on Facebook: <i><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">"Dear Omanis you are breaking the chain of the natural balance and tomorrow your children will eat the sand....."</span></i></span><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text" style="font-size: small;"> The picture which inspired this response was this:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4eBfdLHLSo8d2mVYzvY7MQVvxACnyd5crONFifjvG9Uni6euAZS-hDdlFwaN2v5yhddiBlvGywjwy7MV6QhlTTKEbA976bbbxXM7GLLhppbo8LO807hEpPzaJGYW8TE7D-AdXiveBuBY/s1600/truck+of+sharks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4eBfdLHLSo8d2mVYzvY7MQVvxACnyd5crONFifjvG9Uni6euAZS-hDdlFwaN2v5yhddiBlvGywjwy7MV6QhlTTKEbA976bbbxXM7GLLhppbo8LO807hEpPzaJGYW8TE7D-AdXiveBuBY/s400/truck+of+sharks.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text" style="font-size: small;">Yes, that entire truck is full of tiny (baby?) sharks. Here's another one:</span><br />
<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrufuqdg-Xe08qvTE9WSKaZ2Yke_VRmPouq_bj36hg9bCUM6b1qBFvR6qOLuXzHsnfFQDo1p1fLP_eE3ObH73wahzNAjA-9-wYUhJV9pw263MvJ8MP_zFrJYZ7_Fczb2r8-sX7YNMZnSk/s1600/sharks+closeup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrufuqdg-Xe08qvTE9WSKaZ2Yke_VRmPouq_bj36hg9bCUM6b1qBFvR6qOLuXzHsnfFQDo1p1fLP_eE3ObH73wahzNAjA-9-wYUhJV9pw263MvJ8MP_zFrJYZ7_Fczb2r8-sX7YNMZnSk/s400/sharks+closeup.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text" style="font-size: small;">We can't go on like this! Sharks are absolutely essential for a healthy reef and, without them, a decline in the numbers of other fish is bound to follow. This is a fact which few seem to understand. More predators actually results in greater diversity. Sharks play a vital role in the health of ocean ecosystems. The pictures above show <i>hundreds </i>of dead sharks - and this is just one catch on one day. How many are being caught every other day by different people in different places? These particular photos were taken in Dhofar. Such an abundance of juveniles could suggest that the region is an area for shark breeding. These creatures need protection!!!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Policing </span><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text" style="font-size: small;">fishing isn't an easy task - even where regulations exist. The government needs to work on this as a matter of urgency. There is no doubt that the relevant Ministries are aware of what's going on, so why aren't they doing anything about it? At this rate, by the time they get their act together it will be too late! It is such a contradiction that whilst the Ministry of Tourism proudly fills its web pages with beautiful underwater shots to entice snorkellers & divers, elsewhere those very creatures are being hauled out of the ocean to make a quick buck. It doesn't add up!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text" style="font-size: small;">At the same time, companies like Lulu are complicit in supporting the shark-fishing industry by continuing to stock shark products. At a time when companies are under increasing pressure to conduct business in a socially responsible way, a supermarket of this stature should know better. I often see sharks like those in the images above sitting on the fish counter for under a rial per kilo. They're cheap! In the ocean they are worth so, so much more. You can't place a value on it. So whilst seeing sharks in Lulu is sadly unsurprising to me, I was nonetheless shocked by the following image which depicts not just any shark, but a baby HAMMERHEAD SHARK! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgefdHP5OeyoprwzM8K3w0YmWqYFMJkHCJRTwyZh-lG2dybIUMUNwwCn8_7WqBR6RcocOrZLWnA-_PdzFLqIZZqL0vZyBpqwTrBuMdLM9nRvvv2Hah5JO6-RN1roKbQRhJb1W2_o12SXuk/s1600/hammerhead.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgefdHP5OeyoprwzM8K3w0YmWqYFMJkHCJRTwyZh-lG2dybIUMUNwwCn8_7WqBR6RcocOrZLWnA-_PdzFLqIZZqL0vZyBpqwTrBuMdLM9nRvvv2Hah5JO6-RN1roKbQRhJb1W2_o12SXuk/s400/hammerhead.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text" style="font-size: small;">I don't know what particular type of hammerhead this is, but many hammerheads are endangered. I urge you to <a href="http://oman.luluhypermarket.com/customer-care.php?src=ccare">contact Lulu</a> and request that they cease their trade in sharks. I have heard that Carrefour (the other main player in Oman) have already done so, but have been unable to get confirmation of this thus far. I have written to them requesting clarification and will report back when I receive a reply. I would also suggest that you <a href="http://www.emkegroup.com/site/contact_headoffice.php">contact EMKE</a> who are the Abu-Dhabi based parent company operating Lulu. I plan to draft a template letter to Lulu which I will post on here for those of you who wish to use it.</span><br />
<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text" style="font-size: small;">Sometimes there is so much frustration and heart-break in trying to campaign against these practices that you wonder if the uphill struggle is worth it. It is! It has to be! If only to never have to see another picture like this:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI_zzPkszdmQmRoBXh9hfRTmULGH6ZRaJ8-kwdpM_NIPCAPrn_NKUaFAjJ2KKQyyAPrlavUJLBH1AfMtZJ-A11NLJcCzJ9bW3-50z3Sk15uofwc3uehMx9KYmYujrXTbTNaWQjc5WUM1Y/s1600/whaleshark+kill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI_zzPkszdmQmRoBXh9hfRTmULGH6ZRaJ8-kwdpM_NIPCAPrn_NKUaFAjJ2KKQyyAPrlavUJLBH1AfMtZJ-A11NLJcCzJ9bW3-50z3Sk15uofwc3uehMx9KYmYujrXTbTNaWQjc5WUM1Y/s400/whaleshark+kill.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text" style="font-size: small;">For those who don't know, this is not a typical shark, but a whale shark - a magnificent, majestic, completely harmless, plankton-eating creature. Here you see one being caught recently by fishermen in Oman. This is a shocking image that brings shame on the Sultanate. Whale sharks are listed as vulnerable by the <a href="http://www.iucn.org/">IUCN</a> (International Union for Conservation of Nature). Aside from their conservation status, they are also worth a hell of a lot more alive than they are dead. For most divers it would be a life-long dream to have the opportunity to swim with one. Divers travel to whale shark hot-spots across the globe in the hope of seeing one. If Oman were known as a whale-shark diving location it would bring divers from far and wide, along with the cash they would inject into dive shops, boats, hotels, restaurants and other attractions. I had the great fortune to dive with a whale shark in Thailand and it was an incredible, life-affirming experience. I truly hope to see one in Oman in the ocean where it belongs.</span><br />
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text" style="font-size: small;">I should say at this point that it is not my intention to vilify local fishermen with this post. Most fishermen are simply trying to earn a living and provide for their families. No-one wants to deny them that. The fishing community need to become part of the solution, and they need to be offered alternative income streams. The fishermen already know the oceans, know their boats. Their expertise could be put to other uses (e.g. running dive shops, boat tours etc.). Regulating fishing isn't about denying anyone a job. It is about ensuring there will still be fish to catch in generations to come. Conservation efforts need to involve local communities if they are to be successful.</span><br />
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text" style="font-size: small;">Fortunately there are others out there who feel the same way and are committed to tackling these issues. To that end, I ask that you support both <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=344162428947806&set=a.183405828356801.41577.104452932918758&type=1#%21/pages/Sea-Legends/104452932918758">Sea Legends</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=344162428947806&set=a.183405828356801.41577.104452932918758&type=1#%21/SharkwatchOman">Shark Watch Oman</a> who are doing great work in this field. Please 'like' their facebook pages to stay up to date with what's going on.</span><br />
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<br /></div>Dhofar Eco Bughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02450083059670447161noreply@blogger.com4Salalah, Oman17.01387 54.0922716.8924005 53.9343415 17.1353395 54.250198499999996tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208777025836854466.post-88700964257168340692012-01-09T13:07:00.001+04:002012-01-11T10:37:29.173+04:00Turtles Versus Tourists!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: small;">With family coming to visit Oman for the festive season I thought it would be a good opportunity to meet them in Muscat and make a trip to the <a href="http://www.rasaljinz-turtlereserve.com/">Ras Al Jinz</a> turtle reserve. I'd heard a lot about Ras Al Jinz and their website looks very professional and says all the right things about "promoting social responsibility and sound environmental practices" and raising awareness. Unfortunately, our experience was about as far from eco-tourism as you could get and more like a tourist cattle market. We stayed at nearby Ras Al Hadd and made the journey to Ras Al Jinz in plenty of time for our pre-booked 9pm turtle viewing tour. On arrival we were confronted by a foyer swarming with other tourists - there were literally hundreds of them. We tried to book in for our tour but were simply told to wait. We were struggling to understand how the tour was going to work. No-one seemed to be accounting for who did or didn't show up and there were just SO many people. Anyway, we were still early, so we waited... and waited... and waited. There was no information and no sign of movement (except the mass of bored people stretching their legs or finding a corner to sit). Getting increasingly fed up we approached the reception desk again. They re-iterated that they were waiting for information from the beach and that we should wait. By 10pm, and with a young child in tow, we again tried to get some information. By utilising our limited Arabic, the reception staff became a little more open and told us that the previous nights there had only been one turtle and that it had spent around 20 minutes on the beach. It became increasingly obvious that there was no way all these hundreds of people would be taken down to the beach, let alone see a turtle. We eventually gave up and went back to our accommodation feeling very dissatisfied. We saw many other people leave over the course of the evening too.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">We knew it was low season for the turtles and we always acknowledged that we would have to be lucky to see any. As with anything in nature, there are no guarantees. Our complaint doesn't lie with not seeing turtles - our complaint lies with the shambolic handling of visitors. Even more so, our concern lies with the potential impact of this tourism on the turtles. We always knew that late December would be a busy time to visit, but surely the centre must place some limits on how many tours they sell? The number of people waiting was overwhelming and completely at odds with the idea of unobtrusive, small-group eco-tourism. More so, the centre missed every opportunity to raise awareness about the work they do, the plight of the turtles etc. People left the centre having learnt nothing. Usually on these type of trips you would expect guides to impart their knowledge, to share their passion for the subject at hand and to leave you feeling motivated to want to be a part of the conservation effort. It may well be that Ras Al Jinz does a lot of good work, but sadly we were shown no evidence of it. There <i>are</i> plans to open a visitor centre which will house some kind of exhibits, but at the time of visiting this was not yet completed. Ras Al Jinz would do well to limit the numbers of tourists they accommodate and to ensure a fulfilling and educational visit for those who secure a place. We expected to be guided to the beach as part of a small group and we expected to learn something, perhaps to be shown a presentation or see some pictures even if we couldn't see the real thing. We had no interaction at all with staff regarding the turtles. We could have been waiting for anything, anywhere. Nothing made it unique or special.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">I am fortunate enough to have witnessed turtles nesting elsewhere in the world and the experience couldn't have been more different. I visited Borneo's Selingan Island a few years ago. There, limited numbers of visitors had the chance to stay overnight to see the turtles, and strict rules and regulations were enforced to ensure the turtles weren't disturbed. Rangers took just a handful of people at a time to where the turtles were and, during any time not spent on the beach, the work of the national park was explained in detail. Visitors also had the opportunity to visit the island's hatchery and release baby turtles into the sea. Even if we hadn't seen the nesting turtles, it would nonetheless have been an incredible experience. Sabah in Borneo has the oldest turtle conservation programme in the world and it seems like Oman could learn something from them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">I am almost glad that no turtles came to the beach at Ras Al Jinz whilst we were there. If they had, I can only imagine that there would have been a stampede of people. Ras Al Jinz doesn't charge much to visit. It might be better if they increased their prices but limited access and put money back into both visitor education & awareness raising, as well as conservation. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">After our trip I sought out some online reviews of other peoples' experiences. Whilst, in fairness, there are many positive reviews, I also came across people describing their experience as "turtle torture" and describing groups of over 50 people descending on the beach at the same time. Another review talks of adjacent beaches being polluted with oil and litter, whilst someone else mentions a crowd of over 200 visitors over Eid. The same person goes on to say that the number of people resulted in some turtles returning to the sea without laying - something one would want to avoid at all costs.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">It is fantastic that Oman has created a turtle reserve and is conscious of the need to conserve this magnificent species. I simply hope that it prioritises turtle welfare over tourists, whilst also ensuring that tourists receive the enlightening educational experience they deserve.</span><br />
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<br /></div>Dhofar Eco Bughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02450083059670447161noreply@blogger.com5Salalah, Oman17.01387 54.0922716.8924005 53.9343415 17.1353395 54.250198499999996tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208777025836854466.post-90632681586559393042012-01-07T19:04:00.000+04:002012-01-09T13:12:49.807+04:00New Year, New Beginnings...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: small;">Happy New Year to all my readers! Here's hoping that 2012 brings positive environmental changes in Oman and beyond. A New Year is always a good time for a fresh start and, with Oman Environment Day taking place tomorrow (8th January), I hope that people will feel inspired and motivated to play their part. If we all do a little bit then, collectively, we can truly make a difference.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">ESO have announced their <a href="http://www.eso.org.om/index/calendarlist.php?categoryId=364&Extension=gif">calendar of events</a> for the year, although sadly, as usual, Dhofar remains completely unrepresented. This is frustrating, but it's all the more reason why we need to shout that bit louder to be heard! Let ESO know that you want events to take place in the South too. I get the feeling that they don't think there is enough interest down here to justify it. Let's prove them wrong!! If you have ideas for specific events you'd like to see here or presentations/lectures you'd be interested in hearing then let me know and I will pass your suggestions on to ESO.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Well in the latter days of 2011 I'm sorry to report that I had quite a depressing Omani 'eco-tourism' encounter at the Ras Al Jinz turtle reserve. I will write about it in my next <a href="http://dhofar-eco.blogspot.com/2012/01/turtles-versus-tourists.html">post</a> and, meanwhile, will remain hopeful that things will improve for the better in 2012...</span><br />
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<br /></div>Dhofar Eco Bughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02450083059670447161noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208777025836854466.post-83617170546066071782011-11-30T11:46:00.001+04:002011-11-30T12:53:54.398+04:00What lies beneath...<span style="font-size: small;">I went diving at Ras Hamar (Donkey's Head) a few days ago. Along with a beautiful eagle ray and two large, dancing cuttlefish, I saw four guitar sharks. This should have been a joyous occasion. Guitar sharks are rare, and it was the first time I'd ever encountered them, but instead it was heartbreaking. All four guitar sharks were DEAD - caught in fishing cages, along with other unsuspecting marine life. The worst thing was that these cages weren't even attached to anything. Their ropes were long gone. No-one will pull them up out of the water and they'll continue to act as marine exterminators. Four magnificant creatures killed, for nothing.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Fishing cages seem to be becoming more & more prolific in our waters. The last time I dived Ras Hamar, about 10 months ago, there were hardly any. This time there were tell-tale marker buoys everywhere. What, if anything, is being done to regulate fishing in the area? No-one wants to deny fishermen their livelihood but there has to be a more sustainable way of doing things. The fishermen don't dive - they don't know what's beneath them when they throw in their cages. Not only are the reefs getting destroyed, but the fishing cages are ending up in places where the fishermen can't retrieve them because the ropes get caught up in rocky features. No-one wins. The fishermen lose their cages and their catch, and the marine life perishes unnoticed. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Oman needs to wake up to what it has and what it's destroying. Even if the environment in itself isn't Oman's top priority, it has to understand the economic ripple-effect of its actions. Oman is intent on promoting itself as a tourist destination. Scuba-diving brings in big dollars (look at places like the Red Sea in Egypt). If things continue this way Oman will lose the very attractions that tourists come for. These marine creatures are worth a lot more alive in the sea than they are dead in a market, or rotting in a cage at the bottom of the ocean. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Please do something to protect marine life before it's too late!!</span><br />
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<tr style="color: cyan;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dead Guitar Sharks at Ras Hamar</td></tr>
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<tr style="color: cyan;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dead guitar sharks caught in abandoned fishing cages</td></tr>
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<br />Dhofar Eco Bughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02450083059670447161noreply@blogger.com4Salalah, Oman17.01387 54.0922716.8924005 53.9343415 17.1353395 54.250198499999996tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208777025836854466.post-54249540733217242282011-11-07T17:45:00.000+04:002011-11-07T18:00:08.743+04:00Stormy Outlook? ...<span style="font-size: small;">In light of the recent weather in our usually sunny Salalah, I felt compelled to write about the subject. Afterall, there's nothing like a huge storm to make you feel utterly insignificant and powerless in the world. The forces of nature truly are awesome (and I mean that in the strictest sense of the word, not the overused American version). Here we are in a desert country, lashed this past week by torrential rainfall and strong winds, thanks to tropical storm Keila. This isn't the first time Oman has been hit by such weather and it certainly wont be the last. But are these types of storms just part of normal weather patterns or is there something else going on? All over the world we seem to be seeing more and more crazy weather. Huge areas of Thailand are currently under water, Italy is flooded, New York saw unseasonal snowfall, Myanmar & Cambodia recently faced floods. The list continues...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">With the world population at 7 billion and growing, is it possible someone's trying to tell us something?! Are we the masters of our own destruction?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Recent studies suggest that increasing air pollution in the Indian sub-continent is enhancing the intensity of tropical cyclones in the Arabian Sea. Diesel fumes and biomass burning are blamed for creating 'brown clouds' which disrupt normal air circulation. It is believed that this thick layer of pollution helps create the right atmospheric conditions for the formation of large tropical cyclones.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Of course, there will always be debate about these kinds of claims - and I'm no scientist - but whatever your view, shouldn't we see these kinds of events as a wake-up call? We need to start thinking about how we treat the Earth and start doing our bit to preserve this planet we call home!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">On that note, Eid Mubarak!! and, if you haven't already, be sure to visit Wadi Darbat which has turned into a raging river and giant waterfall! Not something I would ever have imagined witnessing. Sadly though, the beautiful beach at Khor Ruri has all but disppeared - washed away by a torrent of muddy water. According to some sources, we're not out of the woods yet either. It looks like another storm may be brewing....</span>Dhofar Eco Bughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02450083059670447161noreply@blogger.com1Salalah, Oman17.01387 54.0922716.8924005 53.9343415 17.1353395 54.250198499999996tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208777025836854466.post-41807140533305165002011-09-20T12:40:00.001+04:002011-10-18T17:45:31.046+04:00Save Mirbat Beach!!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyi2BBjK87TTifZwGUYhENTCqyp1_0wG2VxvM_fau30iGIU70Dm1Wi_tAU5-lzP79DAA6qMICb8QQpPp4AS2qVVCbjbQXaaV2mGb6dNnAiNACe6ISOgCe3lmKK-K05nlqXVC7aIuO3ar4/s1600/Mirbat+Beach.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyi2BBjK87TTifZwGUYhENTCqyp1_0wG2VxvM_fau30iGIU70Dm1Wi_tAU5-lzP79DAA6qMICb8QQpPp4AS2qVVCbjbQXaaV2mGb6dNnAiNACe6ISOgCe3lmKK-K05nlqXVC7aIuO3ar4/s320/Mirbat+Beach.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: cyan;">World-class beach! A good place to build a navy dock?!</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Rumours have been swirling for some time now, and I have also heard it directly from a reliable source who has personally seen the plans, that a navy dock is to be built at the beach at Mirbat. This information horrifies me and I truly hope that it is false, but I fear that it is not. Such a development would be catastrophic in this area. The beaches around Mirbat are truly unspoiled (something that is very difficult to find anywhere in the world anymore) and the bays are home to an incredible diversity of marine life. Military development at this site would completely destroy it and put the entire area out of bounds to both locals and visitors alike. This is an area popular with local fishermen as well as visiting snorkellers & scuba-divers. I myself have dived there on numerous occasions and have seen an incredible array of marine creatures, including a huge resident bull-ray who is seen on almost every dive.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">At a time when Oman is supposedly trying to promote tourism it seems totally counterproductive to destroy the very things that make the country so attractive. Richness is about so much more than money. <span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">Oman is blessed with a richness of nature & biodiversity that you can not put a price on.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">Surely there must be more appropriate places in which to build a navy dock? Couldn't it be added to the existing Salalah Port? I would be very interested to know what the Marriott Hotel thinks of the plans. Who will want to visit the area if this goes ahead? or perhaps they are relying on the influx of military personnel?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">Something needs to be done to stop this going ahead! So what can we do? and is there any way to even officially confirm the plans? I would be very grateful for feedback - particularly from Omanis who may know more on planning applications and what can be done to submit objections. It is very difficult to get the support of an organisation (e.g. ESO) when we can not even get proof that the development is due to go ahead!</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih5wpAtouo_opu_dds39-C8B0-qeqIwV2zfOaiaLAuv665ndAvcoSMGZyV9qAugDuytsph9oFtGCyyp70NnquOrsd40fW5elT-K4togqRYBGDkhnNgBPZetVoBn2DfGOB2z7yOviZ-OQI/s1600/IMG_0169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih5wpAtouo_opu_dds39-C8B0-qeqIwV2zfOaiaLAuv665ndAvcoSMGZyV9qAugDuytsph9oFtGCyyp70NnquOrsd40fW5elT-K4togqRYBGDkhnNgBPZetVoBn2DfGOB2z7yOviZ-OQI/s200/IMG_0169.JPG" width="200" /></a><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"> </span><br />
<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span style="color: cyan; font-size: small;">Just some of the marine creatures that would be affected...</span></span><br />
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span style="color: cyan; font-size: x-small;">(photos taken by me whilst diving in Mirbat) </span></span><br />
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><br /></span>Dhofar Eco Bughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02450083059670447161noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208777025836854466.post-91203630553919272552011-09-20T10:50:00.000+04:002011-09-20T10:51:41.152+04:00Back in Business!!<span style="font-size: small;">Dhofar Eco Bug is back! A belated Eid Mubarak to you all and apologies for the absence. Dhofar <a href="http://www.eso.org.om/">ESO</a> members will be meeting in Salalah tonight at 9pm at the Cafe de Paris. If you're keen to get involved and do your bit for our environment please join us! Also, watch out for my next post - which should be up later today and may be the most important one yet! Good to be back! Now when is khareef going to be over?!</span>Dhofar Eco Bughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02450083059670447161noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208777025836854466.post-4517327059713807212011-08-16T23:18:00.000+04:002011-08-16T23:18:25.967+04:00ESO Quiz Night<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Dear Readers, firstly apologies for my long absence! Dhofar Eco Bug is on holiday! I have lots of ideas for blog posts though and will be writing again soon when I return to Oman. In the meantime, I wanted to pass on the news that ESO are hosting a fundraising quiz night tomorrow - 17th August - at 9.30pm at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Muscat (Sohar Room). Attendance costs 3 OMR per person and there are some great prizes to be won. To reserve a place call Anna on 24482121 or email anna@eso.org.om</span></div>Dhofar Eco Bughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02450083059670447161noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208777025836854466.post-60745520802172063172011-07-04T10:05:00.001+04:002011-07-04T10:44:44.614+04:00ESO in Dhofar<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I am delighted to announce that <a href="http://www.eso.org.om/">ESO (Environment Society of Oman)</a> are holding a meeting in Salalah for their Dhofar members. The meeting will take place on Monday 11th July from 5 - 7pm at the Port of Salalah Auditorium. I would strongly encourage all ESO members to attend and, if you're not already a member, why not come along anyway and join up that evening? Please confirm attendance by contacting Omar Al Riyami (ESO volunteering/membership manager) <a href="mailto:omar.riyami@eso.org.om" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">omar.riyami@eso.org.om</a></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I think this represents a great opportunity for us to get involved and hopefully create an active local group. There is often a tendency for all activity to be based in and around Muscat. Let's turn up in large numbers and show that Dhofar is committed to the environmental cause!</span></div>Dhofar Eco Bughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02450083059670447161noreply@blogger.com2Salalah, Oman17.01387 54.09226999999998516.9578745 53.998786999999986 17.069865500000002 54.185752999999984tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208777025836854466.post-25875359394507872822011-07-02T21:30:00.001+04:002011-11-06T11:15:51.703+04:00Dhofar Litter Bugs!<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
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<span style="font-size: small;">I was at Al Hafa beach yesterday, sipping a café latte and watching the ocean. This is my first khareef season and it’s quite incredible to experience the change in the sea. Our once calm, turquoise waters have transformed into a menacing, yet mesmorising, monsoon swell. Talk about nature in action. Here you really bear witness to the might of Mother Earth.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Watching ‘khareef TV’ is obviously a popular pastime. All along the beach there are groups of people staring out into the distance, hypnotised by the waves and not caring that they’re being drenched in salty spray. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">So what was wrong with this perfect picture?! Well, apart from the young quad-biker hurtling down the pavement at a ridiculous pace, my concern lay with the vista below the surf. Lower your gaze just a little and you soon become aware that you’re sitting in what can only be described as a giant ashtray! Cigarette smoking is arguably a disgusting habit at the best of times, but littering beaches with countless cigarette butts is <i>truly</i> filthy. Don’t the polluters see the irony? They come to the beach to enjoy the beauty of their environment yet they have no qualms about discarding their rubbish there. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Cigarette butts might seem like the least of the littering problem, but they’re not just an eyesore, they can also do tremendous harm to marine life. Invariably, the Al Hafa cigarette butts will end up getting washed into the sea. There they will leak their poisonous chemicals into the water as well as into the stomachs of unsuspecting fish, turtles and other marine creatures who were simply looking for a meal. It seems that the ‘smoking is dangerous to health’ message is valid not just for humans!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">But where does this sense of entitlement to litter indiscriminately come from? Why is there such a culture of discarding things whenever and wherever? I simply can not understand why anyone would want to turn their own recreational area into a rubbish tip!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">In the short time I was sat at the café, I witnessed a group of Omani men at the table next to me throw their paper cups nonchalantly over their shoulders when they’d finished their tea. No-one batted an eyelid. Would you throw your empty plate on the floor in a restaurant? Is this really that different? A similar thing happened at Mughsayl last week. I was strolling along the walkway and a large family was walking towards me. We smiled at one another and exchanged a brief greeting. The children then proceeded to throw their used plastic drinks bottles over the fence and into the sea below as they continued on their way. I know this kind of behaviour is commonplace but I still can't help but be shocked by it. It's so <i>shameless</i>, so <i>blatant</i>. People flock to these beauty spots but see no irony in spoiling them. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Is this attitude a result of being too used to having someone else clean up after you? Almost everyone here seems to have a housemaid. I guess if you’re used to your mess magically ‘disappearing’ then perhaps you somehow imagine the same thing happens outside of the home? Mess is somebody else’s problem!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Whatever it is, it has to stop. Parents are setting a terrible example for their kids and some kind of intervention is needed to stop this problem continuing for generations to come. But what can we do to change a littering culture that is so deeply ingrained? It’s a difficult problem to tackle because it requires a real shift in attitude. We can organise beach clean-ups but they’re only a very temporary solution and don’t get to the root of the real problem. In fact in some ways they perhaps even reinforce the attitude that it’s OK to litter because someone else will clean it up.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">There’s a real need for public awareness campaigns as well as education within the school curriculum so that children learn early on about the consequences of their littering actions. From a practical point of view there also need to be more bins. Let’s face it, if people can’t be bothered to walk more than 5 metres to a shop entrance then they’re not about to walk a multiple of that in order to find a rubbish bin. Bins are fairly scarce around here at the best of times and it seems they may even be decreasing in number. A friend I was chatting to over the weekend had just recently been up to Wadi Darbat and said that the bins that <i>used</i> to be there have been removed!! Why on earth would anyone get rid of them? If anyone knows anything more about this, please do enlighten us! Perhaps they’re simply about to replace them with European-style colour-coded sortable bins for recycling?! If only…</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I think perhaps the most brazen littering I’ve yet seen here though was on a recent flight from Salalah to Muscat. We were walking towards the plane when an abaya-clad lady simply bent down and placed her used teacup on the tarmac – right beside the aircraft! Does she have <i>any</i> idea how dangerous debris on a runway can be? I was completely gobsmacked. The ground staff looked equally dumbfounded but, annoyingly, said nothing to her and simply picked up the offending item. This is a big part of the problem here. Someone really needed to confront her about it and perhaps she’d think twice the next time. It took only a 40cm piece of metal debris to bring down concorde, killing everyone on board. Runway debris is an incredibly serious matter but one for which this particular lady had no regard. Insha’Allah we will arrive safely! I’m getting angry again just thinking about it!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">So what can we do to turn Dhofar’s litter bugs into eco bugs? </span></div>
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<li><span style="font-size: small;">Set an example by not littering yourself</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">If you're camping/BBQ-ing at the beach or in the desert etc. always take your litter away with you</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Keep a rubbish bag in your car so you can pick up litter when you're out and about</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Educate the people you know - friends, family, students etc.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Organise clean-ups - If you'd be interested in taking part in one please get in touch! </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Write to Dhofar Municipality to suggest more rubbish bins in prominent places and to encourage recycling facilities </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Adopt a street or park to keep clean - a little bit of community pride works wonders!</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"> Any more suggestions are warmly welcomed!!</span><br />
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</div>Dhofar Eco Bughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02450083059670447161noreply@blogger.com8Salalah, Oman17.01387 54.09226999999998516.9578745 53.998786999999986 17.069865500000002 54.185752999999984tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208777025836854466.post-44123919340574102282011-06-27T14:17:00.001+04:002011-11-06T11:17:12.683+04:00Plastic, Fantastic?!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: small;">No, it’s not, as the title might suggest, a commentary on cosmetic surgery, but rather a look at the Omani love affair with plastic bags. Seriously, what is it with bags here? I have never before been to a country where their (over) use is quite so prolific and ingrained. I challenge you to be able to leave a supermarket without one. It’s nigh on impossible even when, as I do, you take your own bags with you. First you have to run the gauntlet of the customer services (read: security) desk who will try to take them off you, then, if you make it that far, the bag-packers will look at you with a mix of bemusement, confusion or contempt before bagging your items in plastic and <i>then </i>putting them in your re-useable bags. Of course they will use at least one huge bombproof carrier bag for every two items. Thank you – how generous!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">A recent visit to K&M is a case in point. I was stopped by the vigilant (bored?) man at the desk who insisted I check-in my empty eco-bag. I tried to explain that I wanted to put my shopping in it but he insisted the offending item could not enter the supermarket. Helpfully though he indicated that he’d bring the bag to me when I was at the till. So far, so good. Of course he didn’t bother to come over (despite my frantic waving) till after everything was in a million plastic bags, at which point he packed all that plastic into my eco-carriers and looked very pleased with himself. A job well done. Talk about missing the point!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Variations of the story repeat themselves all the time. I have, however, discovered that in the new Lulu, if I fold my bags flat and tuck them under my arm, I can stride past the bag-snatchers unchallenged. Result!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Next port of call though is the fruit & veg section where apparently it is illegal to price an item of produce that isn’t in a bag. God forbid the sticker should come into contact with the skin of a melon (which has probably been priced as a rambutan anyway, but I digress. Staff training on fruit/veg I.D. is a whole other topic!). Anyway, rules it seems are rules: no bag – no price – no purchase. A sticker can not and will not be attached directly to the product. Got it?!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">And so to the till again…</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I greet the lady in Arabic and ask how she is. Nine times out of ten I get no reply. I find it astounding that they can so blatantly ignore me, but at the same time I can’t help but be impressed by their innate ability to hide even a flicker of acknowledgement. Dhofari till ladies would be outstanding at poker!! I try to maintain a smile despite having been snubbed and turn my attention to the packer. My Arabic is basic to say the least but I do try my best to make myself understood, usually using both mime and words like “laa plastic” and “kull fee haathi” – which I hope means something along the lines of “everything in this” (pointing to re-useable bags). I am still met with largely vacant stares but I’m getting better at showing them what to do. I did for a while try packing my own bags but that seemed to go against some unwritten protocol and led to raised eyebrows and chatter amongst staff which I couldn’t interpret but invariably revolved around the weird Westerner.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">The response from shop staff simply highlights though how rarely the request for ‘no plastic’ is encountered. They are confused because it’s new to them. In this regard the supermarkets themselves really need to take some responsibility. Re-useable eco-bags need to be widely available and encouraged, and staff need training on how to pack effectively. If we can’t get through to the supermarkets on an environmental argument, then hit them with profit. Less plastic bags = less expense. We should also support supermarkets charging a nominal fee for bags. It’s amazing how quickly behaviour changes when cost is involved. Ultimately though, shoppers also need to be educated on <i>why </i>these changes should be made. If they feel like the supermarket is simply trying to save money then they’ll resent the lack of free bags. What does the supermarket really have to lose here though? Are people going to stop going to the new Lulu hypermarket because they don’t get a bag? I don’t think so!! Lulu really has an opportunity here to lead the way and set a shining example. They claim to be a “trendsetter of the retail industry in the region” so let’s hold them to it and push for change. Words on corporate websites mean nothing unless they are translated into action. Carrefour talk of “commitment to the environment” and “earning customer preference through social commitment and action” but last time I visited the branch in Muscat City Centre there were no re-useable bags in sight. I know they produce them and I know Lulu does too, but try finding one. They certainly haven’t made it to Salalah’s Lulu and they’re certainly not promoted in Muscat either. Having a few hanging randomly by an isolated till is not enough. The proof is at the exit where EVERYONE is walking off in a sea of branded plastic. It’s like part of the uniform. Dishdasha, abaya, plastic bag!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I had a look at some Lulu bags today to see if there was any information on what type of plastic they were made from. The small size bag simply has “keep your city clean” printed on it. A nice sentiment, but let’s face it - not one that anyone is listening to. (Littering is a real problem in Oman and one that I’ll address in a later post). The large bag I was interested to see has a logo for <a href="http://www.d2w.net/">d2w</a> and says “this bag is totally oxo-degradable”. Where I come from oxo is a stock cube(!) so I was intrigued and did a little research. At first glance I was encouraged – a green(ish) looking website with talk of plastic degrading and being bio-assimilated “faster than straw or twigs”. However, my eye was drawn to an initial statement saying “all plastic will in time fragment and completely biodegrade” which didn’t ring true to me. I’m no expert by any means (just a lay-person with an interest in our planet!) but my whole understanding of the problem with plastic is that it <i>doesn’t</i> biodegrade? It photodegrades – breaking down into increasingly smaller toxic particles that pollute soil, waterways and oceans and are ingested by animals, thereby entering the food chain. Either way, I’m concerned that d2w bags are not as green as they might claim to be. It turns out that oxo-bio plastic is not designed to degrade in landfill. Now I don’t know anything much about rubbish collection or disposal here in the Sultanate but since most plastic bags probably end up as household waste, where does that waste go? Into landfill I imagine? Meaning the oxo-plastic wont degrade as intended. If anybody knows anything different then please do enlighten me. I’d love to stand corrected!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I really do think the answer lies in recycling. To my knowledge though there are no recycling facilities at all here in Dhofar and only very limited recycling up in Muscat. Again, if anybody knows different please do share!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I read a statistic that says <b>6 million</b> plastic bags are used every<i> </i>month in hypermarkets in Muscat alone. That number is truly staggering – and terrifying! Please take action!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">So what can we do? </span></div>
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<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">Say NO THANK YOU or LAA SHUKRAN to plastic!</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">Use re-useable eco-bags for all your shopping (and re-use any plastic bags you still have)</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">Write to the supermarkets to encourage the use of re-useable bags and support a charge on plastic</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">Write to the Ministry of Environment & Climate Affairs to encourage a ban on plastic bags </span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">SPREAD THE WORD! Knowledge is power!</span></li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFOSkfVr1UVw3PaYgh026UhmvD4uybUpql1C-Hh6O7ozS0XQicpTy86_L74HxIl77QVOWFRVcf8kSfvQGBdA0BW9OKiEs_-f89UXS-rEnDukYdQMSvbaUJPnR-vXMNF88dfr2aXzM-4xGm/s1600/NoToPlasticBagsLogoMed.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFOSkfVr1UVw3PaYgh026UhmvD4uybUpql1C-Hh6O7ozS0XQicpTy86_L74HxIl77QVOWFRVcf8kSfvQGBdA0BW9OKiEs_-f89UXS-rEnDukYdQMSvbaUJPnR-vXMNF88dfr2aXzM-4xGm/s1600/NoToPlasticBagsLogoMed.gif" /></a></div>Dhofar Eco Bughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02450083059670447161noreply@blogger.com14Salalah, Oman17.01387 54.09226999999998516.9578745 53.998786999999986 17.069865500000002 54.185752999999984tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5208777025836854466.post-58890103363929573392011-06-22T17:30:00.000+04:002011-06-22T17:30:47.257+04:00For Dhofar, for Oman, for the World!<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Hello and welcome to Dhofar Eco Bug's inaugural post - the first of many I hope. I'm completely new to blogging so please bear with me whilst I get used to the new world of social media. Given I'm perhaps the only person left on the planet with a mobile phone that functions solely for calls/SMS that could prove quite a challenge!! I've made it as far as facebook, but don't expect me to understand twitter, android or i-anything (except perhaps the pod!). You might have noticed already that I have a penchant for exclamation marks. It's an affliction. I'm sorry!<br />
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</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Anyway, I've started this blog because in the relatively short time I've been living in Salalah I've noticed some things that, at best, cause me concern and, at worst, make me downright angry. I hope this blog will provide a platform for people to discuss environmental issues in the region and, most importantly, promote action to effect positive change. Together we can make a difference!!</span></div>Dhofar Eco Bughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02450083059670447161noreply@blogger.com3