The Environment Authority (EA) of the Sultanate of Oman recently took necessary legal action against a tourist who posted a video on social media about engaging in acts that disturb sea turtles in the Ras Al Hadd area, which are in violation of the laws and regulations governing wildlife protection in the Sultanate of Oman.
EA said his actions violated the the laws and regulations governing wildlife protection in the Sultanate of Oman. The social media posts from across the globe on the video commended the action by the Environment Authority and unanimously urged stringent action against the offenders.
EA urged all citizens, residents, and tourists to comply with the regulations and guidelines governing visits to sea turtle nesting sites and to refrain from touching, approaching, or disturbing sea turtles, in order to ensure their safety and preserve their natural habitats.
It confirmed that it has taken the necessary legal action against the individual concerned, in accordance with applicable legislation. It reiterates that it will not tolerate any practices that harm wildlife or threaten natural habitats.
EA called on everyone to cooperate and report any violations or practices that may harm wildlife, emphasizing that protecting biodiversity is a shared responsibility that requires everyone’s awareness and commitment.
There has been several rules in place to protect the precious turtles: A royal decree established the Turtle Reserve in 1996. Oman’s Nature Reserves and Wildlife Conservation Law followed in 2003, while its environmental protection law lists sea turtles among protected wildlife. Those are the legal foundations; on the beach, the instruction is much simpler. Give a turtle room. Let it move, nest and return to the sea without making yourself part of the scene.
Ministerial Decree No.64/2017 regulating the Turtle Sanctuary.
The Decree prohibits the entry during the night without permits; camping for more than 80 people; a speed above 50 km/h with cars; (iv) drive on the seashore; (v) damage turtles and other wildlife; (v) cut trees and other vegetation; (vi) use electrical equipment and flash after 10:00 p.m.; (vii) diving outside the designated areas. It specifies rules for fishing and fees for the entry.
What UNESCO says
Ras al Hadd Turtle Reserve is situated at South al Sharqiyya Governorate in the Wilayat Sur was designated as a nature reserve on 23/4/1996.
It covers an area of 120 square kilometres of beaches, coastal lands, seabed and two Khaurs or lagoons (Khaur al Hajar and Khaur Jarama). It extends for 45 km along the coast from khaur Jarama in the north to the village of Ras Ruwais in the south. It is rocky in some parts, but has several steep sandy beaches, where, at certain times of the year, thousands of Green Turtles come to nest.
Turtles are the main biological resource of the reserve as annually thousands of people from all over the world come to watch them. The number of Green Turtles which nest on over 275 beaches along Oman’s coastline is estimated to be about 20,000.
This makes the Sultanate of Oman one of the most important nesting areas for green turtles. Most of them nest along the 45 km stretch of Coast from Ras al Had to Ra’s ar Ruwais, which is considered one of the important areas for turtle nesting.
Turtles spend most of their lives at sea, but adult female turtles spend a short time on land each year laying their eggs. They always choose quiet sandy beaches for their nesting.
