Environment Authority to track sea turtles through satellites

Sur: The Environment Authority has launched a project for satellite tracking of turtles to study their nesting conditions and natural habitats.

The satellite tracking devices identify the movement and behaviour of turtles and their habitat and feeding habits.

The project, launched on 6 September, witnessed the participation of personnel from the Marine Environment Conservation Department, the Environment Preservation Office, the Environment Control Office and supervisors of eco-systems in the coastal governorates along with personnel from the Five Oceans Environmental Services Company.

A’aida bint Khalaf Al Jabri, marine environment specialist at the Environment Authority and head of the study team said the project for satellite tracking of turtles aimed to control sea migration of turtles and to apply the best practices for protection of turtles as also to study their nesting conditions and habitats. It also aims to understand the behaviour of turtles in their habitat and feeding conditions.

She said the programme included training of 20 specialists from various coastal governorates in the Sultanate on the method of installation of satellite tracking devices at Ras Al Hadd and Ras Al Jinz in South Al Sharqiyah Governorate.

It may be mentioned that turtles represent one of the natural wealth of the Sultanate and that turtles nesting areas in the Sultanate are considered as important areas for some species of turtles.