World Status, Exploitation and Trade - WIDECAST

OMANHistorical trends There is no direct evidence of the historical levelsof exploitation of turtles in Oman. However, the fact that the fishermen arehighly selective about which animals are retained, releasing some 75% ofthose caught, suggests that there is still a surplus of turtles in the areain relation to the demand. It was reported (Ross and Barwani, 1982) thatthe killing of nesting turtles had been banned on Masirah Island because itwas thought to have caused the nesting population to decline. Ross (1985)expressed fears that the introduction of outboard motors had increased themobility of the fishermen, and might result in an increased catch.Similarly, the wider availability of motor transport on Masirah may haveraised the level of egg collection on remote beaches (Ross, 1980-81).Domestic trade Ross (1985) reported that there was no trade in turtleproducts on Masirah Island, all the meat being consumed by the families andfriends of the fishermen. A few juvenile turtle carapaces may be preparedand sold to overseas tourists (Ross, 1980-81).International trade DeGaury (1957) reported that there used to be atrade in tortoiseshell from Masirah Island to the coast of Africa, but Ross(1980-81) could find no memory of this trade amongst the island'sinhabitants, and concluded that it had ceased with the demise of the Dhowtrade.Ross and Barwani (1982) indicated a small, overland trade in Green Turtlesfrom Ras al Hadd to UAE. They said that about 100 turtles a year were takenin small trucks for sale in the fish market in Dubai. Ross ( in litt ,29 December 1986) suggests that this trade is continuing, although itinvolves mainly fish.Oman is not a Party to CITES, but CITES Annual Reports between 1977 and 1985record the import into the UK of three C. mydas shells from Oman and theexport of 227 kg of C. mydas bones to Oman from the UK in 1982.LEGISLATIONMinisterial Decree No. 3/82. Executive regulations for law of marinefishing and conservation of aquatic resources.All capture of turtles is prohibited during the nesting season, asdetermined by the appropriate authority [15 July to 15 October in1982). Collection of eggs is prohibited within a distance of the coastwhich is to be determined by the appropriate authority. Hunting ofturtles on their way to lay eggs on the islands and coasts is prohibitedduring periods which are determined by the appropriate authority.These regulations are interpreted to prohibit the commercial hunting ofturtles and to permit only subsistence hunting outside the nesting season.Efforts are made to persuade people to collect only the eggs which are laidbelow the high tide mark.397