By Sharifa Al Kindy  

RAS Al Hadd, a tourism resort known for its scenic beauty, green turtles and other marine species, attracts thousands of visitors every year, and last year around 9,000 foreign tourists visited the area, in addition to more than 2,300 domestic visitors.  

Over 12,000 types of green turtles can be found in Oman and during September to October, Ras Al Hadd will be a fascinating place with the presence of a large number of green turtles.  

The Ministry of Regional Municipalities and Environment preserves 14 official protected areas, which cover almost 10 per cent of Oman’s total land area, each with a specific function to conserve certain endangered species from extinction,” said Ali Al Kiyumi, chief of nature conservation at the ministry.  

“The turtle reserve covers about 120 square kilometres of beaches, coastal areas and seabed. A royal decree has proclaimed these areas for conserving the turtles, in culmination of an effort started in 1976 to study and protect unique and rare marine species. Turtles are amongst the oldest marine species living in Oman ,” he added.  

The sandy beaches, mountain range, presence of rare marine species and its archaeological relevance stress the need to make Ras Al Hadd a protected area.  

“We arrange a trip every year for the students of local and international schools in Oman to raise their awareness about ecology and marine life. Children are very creative, and they find interest in watching unique species that we hardly see around.”  

The natural turtle reserve was established in 1996, according to the directives in the Royal Decree (No. 25/96) issued on April 24, 1996. Article one of the decree emphasises the dimensions of the protectorate, while article two specifies the protected areas, rules of entry, fees, visiting times, prohibited practices and penalties for violators.  

Forty-two square metres Ras Al Hadd-Ras Al Ruwais coast and Masirah and Halaniyat islands are the areas where the green turtles nest.  

Considering the importance of these beaches, the country has conducted a special research to study them, implement procedures to protect them and understand their life cycle. Four types of turtles — Green, Olive Ridley, Hawksbill and Loggerhead — each of them having a distinct lifestyle — can be found in these areas. A fifth type — Leatherback — is found in waters bordering the coasts of Oman . The green turtles generally thrive on grass, seaweed and algae, while the Leatherback turtle is a habitant of higher plateaus and thrives on seaweed. The Hawksbill Turtles enjoy living on coral reefs and they are distinguished by their long beaks used to explore the nooks and cronies of coral to feed on sponges and invertebrates. The Olive Ridley thrives on crustaceans whilst the Loggerhead turtles are mainly invertebrate and mollusc feeders.

 Since a long time, the life of turtles has been very inspiring to many environmentalists. Their approach to the beach, feeding, laying eggs and the landscape were always a sensation to be discovered.  

The turtles’ appearance and their swimming towards the shore to lay their eggs on the beach are exciting. Turtles appeared on the earth about 10 million years back and even their present day species never forgotten their history which remains them tied to the land that is part of their life cycle. Most of the turtles emerge to nest during summer to accommodate with the warm breezy weather.  

At night, under the cool darkness, the female turtles come from the sea and make their way to the beach. The lifecycle of green turtles seen in Ras Al Hadd area can be taken as common to all the other types of turtles. When the female turtle reaches the age of 20 they reach maturity. The matured female turtle can be differentiated from its mature counterpart by the size of its tail. The female’s tail is short and is barely noticeable compared to the male’s tail which is strong, thick and long.  

Moreover, during mating seasons, male turtles also use their stout, curved claw on the elbow of the fore flippers to fasten onto the shell of the female, whilst the claw on a female looks straight, narrow and pointed.  

Turtles mate at sea approaching on or off the nesting beach.  

The female lays her eggs in season at two-week intervals. It is also believed the female turtle would return to her own birthplace after each stage of development.

 While the female turtle lays her egg, she lifts her head to check for any possible threats to the safety of its eggs. After locating a suitable spot, she uses her fore flippers to dig her nest and rear flippers to cover it.  

Once she finishes laying eggs, she makes sure that the eggs are well covered with the sand to protect them from some wild animals such as fox. Only after the exhausting work is done, the mother drags herself slowly towards the safe ocean with tears streaking on her sandy cheeks.  

However, pain or joy does not cause these tears. But mechanism evolved by sea turtles to rid them of salt absorbed from the sea.  

The female turtle would come back to the shore and lays eggs again after 14 days. After laying about three bunches in a season they migrate to far oceans and come back after three years to the same beach for mating.  

The Sultanate of Oman is blessed to have a rich marine environment. Indeed, there is no doubt that these species have managed to survive varying environments, hazards and changing climate.  

However, abusive human violations to these innocent species have led to a drop in the turtle population close to extinction.  

Therefore, the Ministry of Regional Municipalities and Environment has advised the citizens and foreigners who visit the sites to follow a number of rules: stay away from the beaches after sunset because people might frighten turtles and they may return back to the sea without laying eggs; do not shine a torch or any other light towards the turtles, which may distract young hatchling turtles; stay well away from the turtles while they lay eggs. It is always better to ask one of the rangers to guide if one wants to take a closer look at the turtles.