Scientists have spotted some rare dolphin species, including rough-toothed dolphin, in Fujairah.
Six species including a rough-toothed dolphin steno bredanensis), typically found in deep tropical waters with conical heads and slender noses, were sighted in the survey carried out by a team of scientists, media reports said.
The five-day survey — from March 21-25 — was carried out jointly by Fujairah Environment Authority, Fujairah Research Centre and Five Oceans Environmental Services in the deep, offshore waters up to 70 kilometers off the Fujairah coast using vessels and helicopter flights.
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Aseela Abdullah Moalla, director general of Fujairah Environment Authority reportedly said that the surveys were conducted along pre-determined transect lines in which a survey vessel of Port of Fujairah, a partner in the project, was also used.
A total of 37 separate encounters with dolphins were recorded and the rough-toothed dolphin was found among a mixed group that included common bottlenose dolphins (tursiops truncatus) besides spinner dolphin (S. longirostris) and Risso’s dolphin (grampus griseus).
