A British explorer will go on a two-month kayaking expedition along the coast of Oman, to uncover the secrets of whale life along the fast-changing peninsula.
Mark Evans, a former geography schoolteacher who has lived in Oman for 22 years, will paddle all 3,165km of Oman’s coastline, sleeping in a tent outdoors, and getting up an hour before sunrise each day.
He will travel in a Greenland-style kayak – known for being slim, narrow and light with their decks low to the water – which has been custom-made for the expedition.
“I have no idea where I'll be sleeping every night. One day I might do 20 kilometres, my next day I might do 40,” he told The National at a launch event in London for the coming expedition, which he wants to use to raise awareness about marine conservation and heritage.
It completes something of a transition from land to sea for the man who, a decade ago, became the first in 85 years to make the 1,200-kilometre crossing of the Rub' Al-Khali or Empty Quarter Arabian Desert.
And although Arctic kayaks have little storage space, Evans will travel with his sleeping bag, his tent, a stove and his own food. A support car will follow him throughout the journey.
Evans regularly goes kayaking in Oman and in the western coast of Scotland, and says the “silent” and non-polluting nature of the vessel allows him to see more marine life.
“The sea life comes up. It comes up to you because it’s so curious. They're used to seeing boats with noisy engines and propellers,” he said.
“I have sea snakes swimming alongside and rubbing their noses and dolphins going alongside.”
The sea around Oman and the Gulf is known for its critically endangered humpback whale and dugong populations, as well as its diverse coral reefs.
Past urban and industrial development projects destroyed and endangered the region’s reefs and caused the sea mammal populations to dwindle, but conservation efforts are now gaining ground.
Mr Evans hopes the expedition will raise awareness about the impact growing cities are having on nearby sea life. This includes Duqm, a port city in Oman, undergoing rapid expansion that could impact the population of humpback whales there.
"There's fewer than a 100 of them left, they're genetically isolated and their song is totally different to other whales," he said.
“We’ve got to put words into action if we’re going to find a balance between industrial development and the environment,” he said. “We’ve got an opportunity to do it with these humpback whales in Oman and the growth of Duqm.”
Existing proposals to help protect the whales include reducing the speed of boats, and adjusting the angle at which boats enter the harbour so that they spend less time in the whale's path.
"This would be a great opportunity (for Oman) to demonstrate environmental leadership," he said.
During the expedition, Mr Evans will use hydrophones will record the sounds of humpback whales.
He will also take water samples to establish what marine life passes through Oman's shores.
Mr Evans is also concerned about the litter and plastics that are washed out to sea in growing numbers. “It’s the same impressions everywhere: Scotland, the Gulf. I’m concerned about the volumes of rubbish that you see,” he said.
The EDNA contained in the samples will be analysed by biotech company Wilderlab in New Zealand.
"It's never been done before in Oman," he said. Though obtaining the samples is a relatively simple process, the analysis itself is "very expensive". The analysis will also take into account water layers and tidal currents.
Mr Evans had previously undertaken an 80-day journey on camel and traditional boat from the Omani city of Salalah to the capital Muscat in 2011. He was awarded an MBE that year for his work promoting understanding between the UK and the Arab world.
Two years ago, he led an expedition in the footsteps of Harry St John Philby, who crossed the Arabian Peninsula on foot and camel in 1917. That trekked 1,300km across the vast deserts that separate Riyadh from the western Hijaz mountains and on to the Red Sea.
Earlier this year, he retraced the 1928 journey of British explorer Bertram Thomas in the Jewel of Arabia trekking expedition from Ras Al Hadd to Salalah.
He loves kayaking in the West of Scotland, but his favourite spot as an explorer is the Southern province of Dhofar. "That's where you find leopards. It is Africa in Arabia," he said.
He is looking forward to the “incredible sunrises” and hopes to be in the water at least one hour before sunrise every morning. “When the sky is going from red to golden and that sun comes up, it's just magic. It's such a privilege to be on the water,” he said.
The expedition is sponsored by Omani shipping company Asyal and is part of a national and global campaign to raise more awareness about marine conservation.
Local Omani schools, as well as schools in the UK, will be involved, with Omani pupils joining the expedition every week and taking part in workshops such as photography.
"We need to inspire the next generation of thinkers and planetary caretakers," Mr Evans said.
“It’s a symbolic way to show the importance of preserving oceans and the maritime environment,” said Asyal’s Vice President of Marine, Captain Khalil Al Hooti.
“We are trying to send a message to the world that we can reach one day to be carbon neutral, if we all collaborate, if we all work together, be responsible,” he said.
Capt Al Hooti said that although Oman’s waters were “rich” in sea mammals, there had been visible changes to weather patterns and a reduction of marine life globally.
“We can't stay business as usual; something has to happen, and states should come together. These things can’t be done in isolation, because it is international,” he said, highlighting the importance of the UN Paris Accord, which Oman is a signatory to.
Better technology was required to make the shipping industry more energy efficient, he said. “The technology has to reach a level where I can use renewable fuels. A ship cannot use it [yet] because it's not available. Fuel producers need to work with engine manufacturers and shipping companies,” he said.
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
The%20specs
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How being social media savvy can improve your well being
Next time when procastinating online remember that you can save thousands on paying for a personal trainer and a gym membership simply by watching YouTube videos and keeping up with the latest health tips and trends.
As social media apps are becoming more and more consumed by health experts and nutritionists who are using it to awareness and encourage patients to engage in physical activity.
Elizabeth Watson, a personal trainer from Stay Fit gym in Abu Dhabi suggests that “individuals can use social media as a means of keeping fit, there are a lot of great exercises you can do and train from experts at home just by watching videos on YouTube”.
Norlyn Torrena, a clinical nutritionist from Burjeel Hospital advises her clients to be more technologically active “most of my clients are so engaged with their phones that I advise them to download applications that offer health related services”.
Torrena said that “most people believe that dieting and keeping fit is boring”.
However, by using social media apps keeping fit means that people are “modern and are kept up to date with the latest heath tips and trends”.
“It can be a guide to a healthy lifestyle and exercise if used in the correct way, so I really encourage my clients to download health applications” said Mrs Torrena.
People can also connect with each other and exchange “tips and notes, it’s extremely healthy and fun”.
Citadel: Honey Bunny first episode
Directors: Raj & DK
Stars: Varun Dhawan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Kashvi Majmundar, Kay Kay Menon
Rating: 4/5
TECH%20SPECS%3A%20APPLE%20WATCH%20SERIES%209
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The biog
Name: Younis Al Balooshi
Nationality: Emirati
Education: Doctorate degree in forensic medicine at the University of Bonn
Hobbies: Drawing and reading books about graphic design
More on Quran memorisation:
WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
MATCH INFO
Barcelona 4 (Suarez 27', Vidal 32', Dembele 35', Messi 78')
Sevilla 0
Red cards: Ronald Araujo, Ousmane Dembele (Barcelona)
Like a Fading Shadow
Antonio Muñoz Molina
Translated from the Spanish by Camilo A. Ramirez
Tuskar Rock Press (pp. 310)
Dark Souls: Remastered
Developer: From Software (remaster by QLOC)
Publisher: Namco Bandai
Price: Dh199
Libya's Gold
UN Panel of Experts found regime secretly sold a fifth of the country's gold reserves.
The panel’s 2017 report followed a trail to West Africa where large sums of cash and gold were hidden by Abdullah Al Senussi, Qaddafi’s former intelligence chief, in 2011.
Cases filled with cash that was said to amount to $560m in 100 dollar notes, that was kept by a group of Libyans in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
A second stash was said to have been held in Accra, Ghana, inside boxes at the local offices of an international human rights organisation based in France.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
What to watch out for:
Algae, waste coffee grounds and orange peels will be used in the pavilion's walls and gangways
The hulls of three ships will be used for the roof
The hulls will painted to make the largest Italian tricolour in the country’s history
Several pillars more than 20 metres high will support the structure
Roughly 15 tonnes of steel will be used
One in nine do not have enough to eat
Created in 1961, the World Food Programme is pledged to fight hunger worldwide as well as providing emergency food assistance in a crisis.
One of the organisation’s goals is the Zero Hunger Pledge, adopted by the international community in 2015 as one of the 17 Sustainable Goals for Sustainable Development, to end world hunger by 2030.
The WFP, a branch of the United Nations, is funded by voluntary donations from governments, businesses and private donations.
Almost two thirds of its operations currently take place in conflict zones, where it is calculated that people are more than three times likely to suffer from malnutrition than in peaceful countries.
It is currently estimated that one in nine people globally do not have enough to eat.
On any one day, the WFP estimates that it has 5,000 lorries, 20 ships and 70 aircraft on the move.
Outside emergencies, the WFP provides school meals to up to 25 million children in 63 countries, while working with communities to improve nutrition. Where possible, it buys supplies from developing countries to cut down transport cost and boost local economies.
The five types of long-term residential visas
Obed Suhail of ServiceMarket, an online home services marketplace, outlines the five types of long-term residential visas:
Investors:
A 10-year residency visa can be obtained by investors who invest Dh10 million, out of which 60 per cent should not be in real estate. It can be a public investment through a deposit or in a business. Those who invest Dh5 million or more in property are eligible for a five-year residency visa. The invested amount should be completely owned by the investors, not loaned, and retained for at least three years.
Entrepreneurs:
A five-year multiple entry visa is available to entrepreneurs with a previous project worth Dh0.5m or those with the approval of an accredited business incubator in the UAE.
Specialists
Expats with specialised talents, including doctors, specialists, scientists, inventors, and creative individuals working in the field of culture and art are eligible for a 10-year visa, given that they have a valid employment contract in one of these fields in the country.
Outstanding students:
A five-year visa will be granted to outstanding students who have a grade of 95 per cent or higher in a secondary school, or those who graduate with a GPA of 3.75 from a university.
Retirees:
Expats who are at least 55 years old can obtain a five-year retirement visa if they invest Dh2m in property, have savings of Dh1m or more, or have a monthly income of at least Dh20,000.
Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECreator%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ramez%20Galal%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ramez%20Galal%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStreaming%20on%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMBC%20Shahid%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
RESULTS
6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 Group 1 (PA) Dh119,373 (Dirt) 1,600m
Winner: Brraq, Adrie de Vries (jockey), Jean-Claude Pecout (trainer)
7.05pm: Handicap (TB) Dh102,500 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Taamol, Connor Beasley, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
7.40pm: Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 (Turf) 1,800m
Winner: Eqtiraan, Connor Beasley, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
8.15pm: UAE 1000 Guineas Trial (TB) Dh183,650 (D) 1,400m
Winner: Soft Whisper, Pat Cosgrave, Saeed bin Suroor.
9.50pm: Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Hypothetical, Mickael Barzalona, Salem bin Ghadayer.
9.25pm: Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (T) 1,000m
Winner: Etisalat, Sando Paiva, Ali Rashid Al Raihe
Company%20profile%20
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TECH%20SPECS%3A%20APPLE%20WATCH%20SERIES%208
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RESULTS
Catchweight 63.5kg: Shakriyor Juraev (UZB) beat Bahez Khoshnaw (IRQ). Round 3 TKO (body kick)
Lightweight: Nart Abida (JOR) beat Moussa Salih (MAR). Round 1 by rear naked choke
Catchweight 79kg: Laid Zerhouni (ALG) beat Ahmed Saeb (IRQ). Round 1 TKO (punches)
Catchweight 58kg: Omar Al Hussaini (UAE) beat Mohamed Sahabdeen (SLA) Round 1 rear naked choke
Flyweight: Lina Fayyad (JOR) beat Sophia Haddouche (ALG) Round 2 TKO (ground and pound)
Catchweight 80kg: Badreddine Diani (MAR) beat Sofiane Aïssaoui (ALG) Round 2 TKO
Flyweight: Sabriye Sengul (TUR) beat Mona Ftouhi (TUN). Unanimous decision
Middleweight: Kher Khalifa Eshoushan (LIB) beat Essa Basem (JOR). Round 1 rear naked choke
Heavyweight: Mohamed Jumaa (SUD) beat Hassen Rahat (MAR). Round 1 TKO (ground and pound)
Lightweight: Abdullah Mohammad Ali Musalim (UAE beat Omar Emad (EGY). Round 1 triangle choke
Catchweight 62kg: Ali Taleb (IRQ) beat Mohamed El Mesbahi (MAR). Round 2 KO
Catchweight 88kg: Mohamad Osseili (LEB) beat Samir Zaidi (COM). Unanimous decision
FIXTURES
Saturday
5.30pm: Shabab Al Ahli v Al Wahda
5.30pm: Khorfakkan v Baniyas
8.15pm: Hatta v Ajman
8.15pm: Sharjah v Al Ain
Sunday
5.30pm: Kalba v Al Jazira
5.30pm: Fujairah v Al Dhafra
8.15pm: Al Nasr v Al Wasl
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The%C2%A0specs%20
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Match info
Liverpool 3
Hoedt (10' og), Matip (21'), Salah (45 3')
Southampton 0
