Al Mouj Muscat, Oman’s leading lifestyle destination and Integrated Tourism Complex (ITC), in association with the Biology Department at Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) has initiated a series of experiments to gain in-depth knowledge of the diverse community of marine organisms that settle on different types of plastic surfaces in Oman waters. This initiative follows the recent installation of the region’s first Seabin by Al Mouj Muscat at its eco-friendly Al Mouj Marina to reduce plastic waste and maintain the beauty and cleanliness of the Marina.
Being one of Oman’s eco-friendly marinas, Al Mouj Marina serves as a source of rich biodiversity and home to several groups of marine organisms. The current research group led by Dr. Raeid Abed at SQU aims to identify plastic-specific communities where the accumulation of marine organisms takes place and their potential role in the degradation of plastic in the marine ecosystem. Valuable data will be obtained from this project that will help in increasing public awareness.
Commenting on the project, Khalil Abujaber, Al Mouj Marina Manager said: “Al Mouj Muscat is committed to providing sustainable developments to the community and protecting the delicate marine environment surrounding the 5 Gold Anchor Al Mouj Marina. Plastic pollution poses a serious threat to the marine environment with an estimated 5.25 trillion particles scattered in waters worldwide.”
Other toxic effects in the marine environment include the colonization of plastic surfaces by harmful pathogens and bloom-forming algae or invasive species of marine organisms. However, the current magnitude of plastic contamination in Oman waters is still unknown and not much awareness exists on the ecological consequences of plastic pollution in the marine environment of Oman.
The project is in collaboration with SQU and supported by Kuwait University and University of Nizwa. As part of the unified efforts of this research group, several experiments are also being conducted in the North and South of the Arabian Gulf to assess the biotechnological applications of marine biofilms and to study their changes during development on solid surfaces.
The 132-berth Al MoujMarina has been awarded the coveted International Clean Marina Accreditation. It also continues to collaborate on a variety of world-leading research projects and leads community environmental initiatives such as beach and reef clean-ups.
