Sea Turtle monitoring project implemented in Masirah Island

Masirah--- The Environment Department in South A’Sharqiyah Governorate is implementing a field project to study sea turtles in the Wilayat of Masirah. The project focuses on measuring the success rate of olive ridley turtle nests at nesting and hatching sites on Masirah island.

The project covers the season of olive ridley turtle nesting (both hatchling and larvae stages) from February to May, along nesting beaches in the southern part of Masirah Island. It also includes the loggerhead turtle season, which extends from May to October every year. The survey includes monitoring a stretch of 84 kilometres along the island's coastline.

The survey is conducted in two shifts daily: The first is a morning shift that includes documenting turtle tracks and nests, releasing stray turtles back into the sea and registering deaths, if any. The second is a night shift that includes monitoring actual nesting activity, tagging turtles and monitoring the beaches.

Ghassi Hamad Al Farsi, Director of the turtle nesting season project in the Wilayat of Masirah, said that the project aims to enhance efforts to protect sea turtles and maintain their biodiversity.