Action Plan for Monitoring, Mitigation and Management of Harmful Algal Blooms in the Coastal Waters of Oman

Abstract

The Gulf of Oman, an ecologically and economically rich ecosystem, is frequently impacted by occurrences of harmful algal blooms. Recent studies indicate an increase in the number of causative species and harmful impacts. Many red tide incidents in Oman have been found leading to hypoxia. The frequent bloom forming species here are Karenia selliformis, Nitzschia pungens, Prorocentrum arabianum and Trichodesmium erythraeum. We review work carried out in this area, and we propose here a Management Action Plan for not only an effective monitoring system for harmful algal blooms (HABs), but also mitigation of their adverse impacts and rapid response system.