Marine Conservation and Promotion of Tourism: An Approach on Marine and Coastal Planning at Cat Island, Muscat, Oman

Abstract

Oman is home to over 530 sqm of coral reefs. With the abundant coral species and reef fish, it became a popular destination for tourists. The economy has also increased because of the leading fishing industry, which serves as a point of export to nearby countries. Additionally, the capital Muscat is one of the top tourist spots due to its increasing water activities. However, in the past decade, the unforgettable cyclone Gonu destroyed the beautiful sea habitat, one of the environmental stressors for the marine ecosystem. Furthermore, the anthropogenic stressors, such as berthing, scuba diving, and overfishing, yield a decrease in natural coral reefs. Cat Island, known to be one of the diving spots in Muscat, is vulnerable to coral reef declination. This research focused on analyzing the present condition of coral reefs at Cat Island in relation to environmental and human activities. Moreover, there were studies conducted regarding the physical status of the coral reefs identifying the stressor of coral reef degradation. The researcher conducted a survey, phone and personal interviews, and distributed questionnaire forms to assess the site's character and understand the marine habitat from the primary user’s perspective. Data from previous studies in the reefs of Oman and information from the government and non-government units were collected. As an outcome, it presented an imperative position towards marine and coastal planning by recommending policy enhancement and marine functional zoning in Cat Island. Additionally, it was shown that sustainable marine conservation and tourism promotion can be obtained through the aid of artificial reefs as a new habitat for the marine ecosystem. With this approach, these concepts can be used as a baseline in conducting research on another marine habitat in Muscat, Oman, which requires thorough study and future improvement.