Oman 2008: Olive Ridley Turtles of Masirah

Original provider:
Biodiversity East / MTRG

Dataset credits:
Data provider
Marine Turtle Research Group
Originating data center
<a href='http://www.seaturtle.org/tracking/' target='_blank'>Satellite Tracking and Analysis Tool (STAT)</a>
Project partner
The scientific work is undertaken by ALan Rees, PhD student with the MTRG at the University of Exeter, with additional advice and assistance from Michael Coyne of SEATURTLE.ORG. This project is carried out under the auspices of the Ministry of Environment and Climate Affairs of Oman.
Project sponsor or sponsor description
The project is funded by Total SA, Muscat Branch and the TOTAL Corporate Foundation for Biodiversity and the Sea.

Abstract:
Masirah Island hosts four species of nesting turtles, Loggerheads, Greens, Hawksbills and Olive Ridleys. The Olive Ridley nesting population is the only one in the Arabian Peninsula. These turtles are poorly studied and no migration information is available to date. <br><br>The Ministry of Environment and Climate Affairs of Oman has recently intensified its efforts to gain more knowledge on sea turtles, focusing on satellite telemetry.<br>Within the context of these efforts and as a continuation of the three-year turtle conservation project, which included the pioneering and successful Loggerhead telemetry mission on Masirah Island in May 2006, TOTAL S.A. Muscat and TOTAL Corporate Foundation for Biodiversity and the Sea are now sponsoring this Olive Ridley telemetry project.<br><br>Olive ridley migration and behaviour are, in general, poorly studied and hence this project will provide vital information, not only for this population but for this species as a whole.<br><br>Later, in the summer of 2008, a Green turtle telemetry project will take place at Masirah providing evidence of migration routes and raising awareness of this threatened and depleted population.<br>