MUSCAT – The Environment Authority said specialist teams conducted regular field patrols and beach monitoring operations aimed at tracking sea turtle activity, responding to emergencies, and removing potential threats to nesting and hatchling sites.

These efforts form part of ongoing conservation programmes designed to enhance protection rates and preserve natural habitats within the reserve, which is regarded as one of Oman’s most important biodiversity sites.

Officials noted that monitoring during the period also recorded more than 10,000 hatchling turtles and over 2,000 non-hatching turtles, reflecting active nesting activity along the coastline.

Nizar bin Salem Al Fannah Al Araimi, Director of the Environment Department in South Al Sharqiyah Governorate, said the indicators reflect the success of the “Guardians of the Environment” programme in strengthening field protection efforts for sea turtles during both nesting and hatching seasons.

He said the programme also focuses on community engagement and awareness initiatives in cooperation with fishermen and visitors to highlight the importance of protecting sea turtles and their habitats.

Al Araimi stressed that sea turtles represent a vital natural asset requiring collective efforts to ensure their sustainability for future generations, adding that the Environment Authority continues its monitoring, follow-up and awareness programmes to safeguard biodiversity and maintain the reserve’s regional and international environmental standing.

In a related effort, the Turtle Reserve team, in cooperation with fishermen and the Scientific Research Centre, recently rescued a sea turtle trapped between rocks during routine field patrols along the reserve’s beaches.