Close encounters with whales are not unusual along Oman’s rich
and varied shores. Together with their cousins, the dolphins,
there may be as many as 22 species that inhabit or pass through
the seas of the Sultanate. In some areas, it is possible to regularly
encounter hundreds of spinner dolphins mixed with schools of common
dolphins. Boats become surrounded by a sea alive with dolphins,
leaping, spinning, somersaulting and generally frolicking around.
Risso’s dolphins, false killer whales and perhaps pilot whales
may race past, or come in close to bowride. Bottlenose and Indo-Pacific
humpback dolphins are regularly seen and exciting, close up views
of humpback , Bryde’s, sei, minke and sperm whales have thrilled
many an avid observer. Fortunate whale watchers could also come
across striped and pantropical spotted dolphins, killer whales,
pygmy killer whales, blue and fin whales, even dwarf and pygmy
sperm whales of the shy Cuvier’s beaked whale. There are surely
others, such as the finless porpoise, waiting for the first lucky
viewer.
Relatively little is known about any of the whales and dolphins
around Oman, or for that matter the whole of Arabia. Recent sightings
have even suggested the possibility of two species new to science.
The reason for the lack of information is, quite simply, that
few people are aware of the wealth of whales and dolphins (or
cetaceans, as they are collectively called) in the region and
fewer still have attempted any serious study. The chance of seeing
a dolphin that is yet to be described by science or a whale that
is yet to be recorded in the area is an experience that few other
locations around the world can offer.
Watch Out for Whale -Watching
Despite this, there are plans to implement whale -watching on
a small scale in the near future. This will be done with the initial
help of scientists and students who will count, photograph, map
and generally gather data on any whales and dolphins that are
sighted. Gradually a picture will emerge not only of where the
greatest number of whales are, but also of what they are doing
and when they are doing it. If, for example, whales are breeding
during summer months then to approach them closely at sea may
disturb them. This has clear repercussions for the whales and
any negative impact on them is deflected directly back to those
who are trying to watch them. There is certainly little doubt
that Oman has the potential to attract a share of the industry’s
annual global revenue of over US $ 317 million and to add to the
four million people world-wide that venture out to sea every year
to watch whales.
Prior to the development of organized whale-watching in Oman,
enthusiasts can still join in on the secret. Whales can be seen
from land along much of Oman’s beautiful coastline. Good vantage
points are common where mountains reach the shore as cliffs, and
in many areas headlands jut far out to sea. Humpback and minke
whales are the most likely to be sighted feeding in shallow waters,
and humpback and bottlenose dolphins habitually spend most or
all of their time inshore. Far better, however, is to venture
out to sea by boat. As there are no commercial whale-watching
companies in Oman, this means either joining friends in a privately
owned vessel or hiring a fishing boat from one of many opportunistic
fishermen in any fishing village along the coast.
Where and When to Watch
Early mornings and evenings are usually the best times to look
for cetaceans, as the sea is often calmer and the light better.
They can be found any distance offshore, the majority of sightings
so far being close to land. However, small boats rarely venture
any distance out to sea and trips further offshore could prove
extremely worthwhile. Recently, a pod of sperm whales, numbering
over 24 individuals, including young, was sighted in deepwater
some distance off Muscat. Fishermen report numerous sightings
of what are thought to be false killer whales at a similar distance
from land, which, they say, sometimes follow their boats for several
hours leaping into the air and riding the bow wave.
Dolphins are easier to find than the bigger whales as they tend
to swim in larger groups and surface more frequently. Splashes
made by performing dolphins are often the first thing you will
see. Some, such as the commonly encountered spinner dolphin, leap
over 3 m into the air, before slapping back down onto the water’s
surface. Fleets of fishing boats may also betray the presence
of dolphins as fishermen are known to follow the dolphins in search
of tuna (see Vol. 1 No.1). Similarly, flocking seabirds may be
an indication of dolphins or whales feeding nearby. You will certainly
notice a large whale jumping out of the water, or breaching, as
if in joyful mood. The thunderous splash made as it re-enters
the sea cannot only be seen but may also be heard, several kilometres
away.
There is no single location at which you are most likely to see
cetaceans in Oman. Patient observers anywhere at sea may eventually
be rewarded. However, as an initial guide, many are seen in Dhofar
and around its offshore islands, which seems to be the area of
greatest potential for whale -watching. The waters immediately
off Muscat, however, are where the majority of whales have been
seen. This is probably more a reflection of the number of whale
enthusiasts in the area than the abundance of whales, but the
fact remains that here too there are unique opportunities for
hours of pleasurable and exciting whale -watching. Other relatively
unexplored areas where whales are to be found – and who is to
say how many and of which species – are the seas off the easternmost
point of Arabia at the Ra’s al Hadd headland, the rich and intriguing
waters around Masirah Island, and the fascinating Musandam region
in the extreme north.
Watching Out for the Future
The future of whales and those wishing to watch them in Oman looks
bright. A cetacean action team has been established that will
not only ascertain information of value to tourism industries,
but will also benefit the benevolent giants themselves. Direct
action is being taken in Oman to reduce the number of whales and
dolphins accidentally caught in fishing nets every year. In the
public eye, a team of volunteer divers is on 24 hour standby,
ready to react to reports of cetaceans in distress. Their reward
is simply the privilege of close contact with a mysterious and
lovable animal and a log book entry that will be the envy of many
a diver. Below the surface, scientific research and negotiations
in government offices are beginning to show results. An office,
assigned solely to the task of conducting research and controlling
rescue operations, has recently been established that will continue
to create awareness and instigate government support for Oman’s
whales and dolphins.
Whale-watchers are encouraged to report their sightings to the
new office and already, with the launch of a book that guides
whale-watchers in their search, progress has been made. In addition,
concerned companies such as Shell Marketing, Swiss Air, Inter-Continental
Hotels, Taylor Woodrow-Towell, Truckoman, Arabian Mapping, Sabco,
Family Bookshop and the Arabian Seas Expedition are providing
support that will enable aims to be achieved and ensure that future
generations, both nationally and throughout the world, will be
able to experience the thrill of Oman’s whales and dolphins first
hand, and not just learn about them in history books. It is a
lesson in conservation of which Oman has just cause to be proud
and for which whale -watchers will be thankful.