In Pictures: Volunteer divers guard Oman's 'unique' coral reefs

Divers and Omani authorities unite to safeguard reefs through clean-up efforts

Published: December 04, 2023 07:38 Compiled by Christian Borbon with inputs from AFP

1 of 10

Daymaniyat Islands, Oman: On a sailing boat anchored off Oman's pristine Daymaniyat Islands, volunteer divers pull on wetsuits, check their scuba tanks and then take turns plunging into the clear turquoise water. Image Credit: AFP

2 of 10

They are diving for a reason: to remove the massive fishing nets damaging an unusually resilient coral reef system that is seen as more likely than most to survive rising sea temperatures. Image Credit: AFP

3 of 10

The clean-up is one example of how divers and Omani authorities are joining forces to protect the reefs - which are critical for marine wildlife - from man-made damage. Image Credit: AFP

4 of 10

A volunteer diver shows fishing nets removed from coral reefs at Oman's Dimaniyat islands. Image Credit: AFP

5 of 10

Most shallow-water corals, battered and bleached white by repeated marine heatwaves, are "unlikely to last the century", the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change said last year. Image Credit: AFP

6 of 10

Volunteers take part in a campaign to remove fishing nets from coral reefs at Oman's Dimaniyat islands. Image Credit: AFP

7 of 10

Oman's relatively cooler waters provide a rare refuge for its reefs, which are among the least studied in the world. Image Credit: AFP

8 of 10

Global warming, as well as dynamite fishing and pollution, wiped out a startling 14 percent of the world's reefs between 2009 and 2018, according to the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network. | Volunteer divers take part in a campaign to remove fishing nets from coral reefs at Oman's Dimaniyat islands. Image Credit: AFP

9 of 10

Volunteer divers take part in a campaign to remove fishing nets from coral reefs at Oman's Dimaniyat islands. Image Credit: AFP

10 of 10

Volunteer divers take part in a campaign to remove fishing nets from coral reefs. Image Credit: AFP

Photos News

In Pictures: Volunteer divers guard Oman's 'unique' coral reefs

More From Photos

Photos: Israel strikes Gaza and Lebanon after ICC issues arrest warrants

Oman: Two dead, 22 injured in multi-vehicle collision

Photos: The toxic haze – Delhi's struggle with severe air pollution

UAE leaders congratulate Sultan of Oman on National Day

GULFNEWS SECTIONS

Trending

In Pictures: Volunteer divers guard Oman's 'unique' coral reefs

More From Photos

Photos: Israel strikes Gaza and Lebanon after ICC issues arrest warrants

Oman: Two dead, 22 injured in multi-vehicle collision

Photos: The toxic haze – Delhi's struggle with severe air pollution

UAE leaders congratulate Sultan of Oman on National Day

GULFNEWS SECTIONS