Dr. Sachinandan Dutta currently works as an Assistant Professor at the Department of Marine Science and Fisheries, College of Agricultural and Marine Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman, where he teaches Fisheries Management. With a diverse educational background ranging from Zoology to Conservation Biology, Oceanography, and Fisheries Management, Dr. Dutta holds a Ph.D. in Ecosystem Modeling and Fisheries Management from Jadavpur University, India. His research interests lie in Fisheries Management, Ecosystem Modeling, and Conservation Biology, focusing on the sustainable management of marine resources. Dr. Dutta has a rich academic and professional portfolio, including teaching positions, research projects, and consultancy roles. He has published 40 peer-reviewed papers in international journals. He was awarded the UNESCO- Man and Biosphere (MAB) Young Scientists Award for 2022 from Oman. He also serves as an International Sectoral Expert in Fisheries and Marine Resources at United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). He was also involved different groups of FAO such as Bay of Bengal Large Marine Ecosystem (BOBLME), State of Stock (SOS).
Department of Marine Science and Fisheries
Marine Litter Distribution and Characteristics Along the Sea of Oman, Sultanate of Oman
The problem of marine litter is becoming more and more widespread, having an adverse effect on human health, the economy, and marine ecosystems. The distribution and characteristics of marine litter in the Sea of Oman along the Omani coast are investigated in this study. Barka, Seeb, Ghubra, and Qurm are the four coastal localities from where data on marine litter were collected. The findings show that plastic (62%) makes up the bulk of the litter, with fabric (13%), foam (4%), and glass (1%). The total 67588.9 grams or 67.59 kg of marine debris was collected during the study period. Fabric is the highest in weight (31.66 kg) followed by plastic (23.69 kg) and process wood (3.75 kg). The report also emphasizes that the Humayl water i.e. package bottled water company contribute highest (27%) marine debris among all companies in the Sea of Oman. Statistics collected after rainfall showed a rise in litter, indicating that storm water runoff is a major contributor to marine contamination. The results highlight how urgently better waste management procedures and more public awareness are needed to lessen the negative impacts of marine litter.
Keywords: Marine Litter; Plastic pollution; Fishing; Oman; Pollution.