Oman's Arabian Sea Humpbacks Show No Growth in 20 Years

Divers and whale watchers in Oman may be looking at one of the most vulnerable whale populations on the planet. New research published in Frontiers in Marine Science, reported by DeeperBlue, finds that the humpback whales living off Oman's coast have shown no sign of growth over the past 20 years.

Familiar threats

The pressures are the same ones humpbacks face elsewhere. The study points to collisions with vessels and entanglement in fishing gear as among the most serious risks to the population.

The difference is that this group has nowhere else to go. Unlike every other known humpback population, these whales never leave the Arabian Sea. They feed and breed in the same region, and they sing a song that is not heard anywhere else.

A case for a fourth subspecies

The work draws on about 25 years of research by Omani scientists. The same long-term effort has led the authors to argue that the Arabian Sea whales should be recognised as a fourth humpback subspecies.

Lead author Dr. Rita Amaral said the new genetic results suggest these whales have followed their own evolutionary path for tens of thousands of years. In the authors' view, losing the population would mean the permanent loss of genetic, behavioural and cultural traits found nowhere else, along with clues to how baleen whales adapt to a changing environment. They call for urgent, dedicated resources to reduce the main threats.

From small boats to satellites

Suaad Al Harthi, executive director of the Environmental Society of Oman, described how the research began with small-boat surveys to photograph individual whales and collect tiny tissue samples. It has since grown into a broader programme that uses satellite tracking, acoustic monitoring and health assessments, and samples gathered in the early years are now feeding into the latest findings.

Aida Al Jabri of the Oman Environment Authority said the growing body of evidence is helping the country move from understanding the population toward practical conservation measures.

What divers can do

For anyone planning to dive, snorkel or join a whale-watching trip in the region, the findings are a reason to choose operators who keep their distance, slow down around whales and follow local wildlife rules. Reporting sightings, entangled animals or lost fishing gear to local authorities or research groups may also help. With a population this small and isolated, careless encounters could matter more than they would elsewhere.