Women in Science: How Suaad Al Harthi is Preserving Oman’s Marine Ecosystems

As we kick off the new year, we’re turning our attention to the people working behind the scenes to protect our planet. That’s why we sat down with Suaad Al Harthi, Executive Director of the Environment Society of Oman (ESO) — the country’s only non-profit dedicated to preserving its natural heritage.

A marine conservation specialist, Suaad has spent years leading research and driving conservation efforts across Oman, earning recognition as a National Geographic Society 2024 Wayfinder Award winner and Oman Woman of the Year 2019 in Environment.

In our conversation, we discussed the state of marine conservation in Oman, the role of education in raising environmental awareness, and the challenge of embedding sustainability into daily life and business practices across MENA. Most importantly, we explored what it means to be a woman in science today—how the landscape is shifting, what barriers remain, and how to inspire the next generation. From breaking into field research to reshaping the future of conservation, Suaad shares her journey, insights, and what gives her hope for the years ahead.

Mrs. Al Harthi, to start, can you explain in simple terms what your current work focuses on at the Environment Society of Oman (ESO)? What’s the scope of your role on a daily basis?

I’m the Executive Director of the Environment Society of Oman, or ESO, which was established in 2004 as the first non-profit environmental NGO in Oman. Our mission is to conserve threatened and endangered species, conducting scientific research to better understand these species and our conservation efforts. We also focus on community engagement, using the findings from our research to tailor initiatives for different groups such as farmers, fishermen, women’s associations, and children. Additionally, we run an environmental education program aimed at fostering a deeper understanding of environmental issues among the youth and encouraging them to become active agents of change.

On a daily basis, my role is incredibly varied. Working for a small non-profit means I often manage many roles. As Executive Director, I might spend one day managing HR, policy matters, or recruitment, while the next could be spent reviewing finances or presenting at board meetings. And then, on another day, I could be in the field, involved in activities like responding to a whale stranding. It’s a dynamic role that keeps things interesting and challenging.

Marine biology isn’t a common career path. What inspired you to pursue it, and when did you decide to dedicate your work to protecting marine ecosystems?

I’d broaden that to include environmentalism as well, since my background covers both. My passion for conservation and marine biology started young, largely thanks to the time I spent outdoors. My father encouraged my brother and me to explore nature—whether in the desert or by the sea—and that instilled a deep appreciation for the environment.

Alongside that exposure, I was always drawn to science, particularly biology. By the time I finished high school, environmentalism was emerging as a key topic in the UAE, especially under the late His Highness Sheikh Zayed. It piqued my curiosity, and I decided to study environmental science, not fully knowing what to expect. But as I got into it, I realised it aligned perfectly with both my scientific interests and my love for adventure—being outdoors, conducting fieldwork, and actively engaging with the environment.

When I returned to Abu Dhabi, my first job was in the marine department at the Environment Agency, which set me on this path. I worked as a marine research assistant, focusing on coral reef monitoring, sea turtle conservation, and mangrove research. That experience pushed me to pursue a master's in coastal environmental management, refining my focus on marine ecosystems.

As a Gen Z representative, I can say that environmental responsibility is a major factor for my generation—whether we're choosing brands, careers, or even daily habits. Many young people today feel drawn to conservation. In your experience, what drives this passion, and what motivates them to enter the field?

A deep understanding of nature’s value is often what sparks their curiosity and commitment to conservation. It’s hard to care about something you’re disconnected from, but when people spend time outdoors, they naturally develop an appreciation for it—and a desire to protect it.

At the same time, young people today are acutely aware of the environmental challenges they’ve inherited. Issues like pollution and climate change weren’t created by their generation, yet they’re the ones who will have to deal with the consequences. There’s a sense of responsibility, but also a feeling of injustice, which makes them more vocal and determined to push for change.

One of the things we focus on at the Environment Society of Oman is empowering young people to take action. For example, we run a Green Schools competition, where students assess environmental issues in their schools and communities, then develop solutions. This shifts the narrative—climate change and biodiversity loss aren’t just distant, abstract problems; they become local, tangible issues that they can directly influence. When young people are given the tools and the agency to address these challenges, they grow into professionals who think sustainably and innovate for the future.

How would you assess the state of environmental education in the Arab world today, and what steps should be taken to raise awareness, especially among young people?

Here in Oman, we’re shifting from treating sustainability as a standalone subject to making it an integral part of daily life. Initially, environmental education was divided into separate themes—energy efficiency, water conservation, and waste management. But we found that students naturally connected these issues, developing solutions that addressed multiple challenges at once. So, instead of keeping them separate, we now encourage a holistic approach, where they not only tackle all three but also engage their communities, turning individual actions into collective impact.

There’s a growing recognition of the need to weave environmentalism into school curricula. In Oman, the Ministry of Education is actively working on this, and I believe other countries in the region are following suit. Future preparedness is key—if we want the next generation to be resilient and adaptable, sustainability must be a core part of their education from an early stage.

What role should education play in inspiring young people to pursue careers in conservation?

Education should be more than just imparting knowledge—it should be a tool that equips students to think critically, interpret challenges, and recognise their role within a broader ecosystem. It’s not just about absorbing information but learning how to analyse, research, and innovate to drive meaningful change.

Beyond traditional schooling, we also need to shift how students perceive career paths. Sustainability isn’t limited to environmentalists—every job of the future has the potential to be a "green job." A hotel manager can implement sustainable practices, a chef can prioritize ethical sourcing, and an architect can design with energy efficiency in mind. The key is fostering a mindset where sustainability becomes a responsibility shared across all sectors, not just a niche concern for environmentalists.

What are the biggest topics in marine biology today? What issues demand the most attention in your work?

Marine conservation today is shaped by global challenges—climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, and expanding maritime activity. Increasing shipping traffic disrupts marine species, while unsustainable fishing threatens ocean ecosystems. These issues are deeply interconnected, requiring urgent and coordinated action.

In my work, it’s a constant balance between understanding the science and translating that knowledge into action. Data is power—without knowing the status of marine populations, we can't effectively protect them. A key focus is assessing whether species populations are stable, growing, or declining, and then identifying the threats they face. Once we pinpoint the risks, the next step is developing mitigation strategies—what immediate actions can we take to prevent further decline?

Scientific research is just the foundation. The real impact comes in advocacy—engaging with policymakers, industry stakeholders, and local communities to create lasting conservation strategies. Without collaboration and public buy-in, even the most well-researched plans risk falling short of meaningful, sustainable change.

You've led landmark initiatives like sea turtle conservation and the study of Arabian Sea humpback whales. Can you share a project you're particularly proud of and what made it especially challenging or innovative?

Both projects have been significant, but I’ll highlight our work with loggerhead sea turtles on Masirah Island. This nesting site was once one of the most important globally, alongside Florida’s, but research has revealed an 80% population decline over the last 20 years, leading to their classification as critically endangered by the IUCN Red List.

Our approach has tackled threats both at sea and on land. One of the biggest challenges is bycatch—turtles getting accidentally caught in fishing nets. To address this, we’ve combined traditional data gathering with technology. We interviewed fishermen to understand where and how they fish, fitted satellite trackers on nesting females to map critical habitats, and equipped fishing boats with GPS trackers and onboard cameras to document bycatch. By overlaying this data, we identified high-risk areas, guiding conservation planning.

On land, we’ve worked to minimise the impact of human activity. We’ve educated fishermen on safe disposal of fishing gear and how to release entangled turtles properly. We’ve removed nearly 800 tons of plastic and discarded nets from nesting beaches and collaborated with government stakeholders and homeowners to reduce light pollution, which disorients both hatchlings and adult females.

Of course, conservation is a long-term effort. As a small NGO, one of our biggest challenges is securing continuous funding to maintain and expand these initiatives. But we’re committed to doing as much as we can with the resources we have.

How does ESO contribute to Oman’s role in global conservation efforts?

The data we collect locally plays a crucial role in global conservation. Our research contributes to peer-reviewed studies and informs international assessments like the IUCN Red List, helping determine whether species populations are stable, declining, or at risk.

We also provide essential insights for CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species), enabling governments to make informed decisions on trade restrictions for threatened species. By contributing to these global discussions, we help shape policies that impact conservation efforts worldwide.

Deep-sea exploration remains largely uncharted—can you share an example of how new technologies have advanced your work?

Technology plays a vital role in improving efficiency and expanding our ability to collect data remotely. For example, in our research on Arabian Sea humpback whales, we've deployed underwater acoustic recorders that capture vocalizations 24/7, allowing us to monitor whale and dolphin presence without being physically at sea. These recordings also provide insights into noise pollution and its potential impact on marine life.

Satellite tracking has also been transformative, helping us map whale movements, migration patterns, and diving behavior—data that would be impossible to gather solely through surface observation. As cutting-edge tools become more accessible, they allow us to accelerate research, communicate findings faster, and focus more on conservation action rather than just data collection.

As a woman in a traditionally male-dominated field, what were the biggest challenges you faced early in your career, and how did they shape your approach to work?

The biggest hurdles came at the start of my career when, as a fresh graduate, there was little expectation that women would participate in field surveys. There was an assumption that my role would be limited, but I quickly realised that you have to set your own boundaries—you can’t let others define them for you.

Once I established that I was serious about fieldwork, I had no trouble joining expeditions, even in remote locations where I was sometimes the only woman. The key was proving professionalism and dedication—once that was clear, barriers faded.

That said, the landscape for women in science, especially field research, is changing in the region. More Khaleeji women are actively involved in environmental science. At a recent coral reef conference in Abu Dhabi, I met many Gulf women working in field research, showing that opportunities for women in this space are steadily expanding.

How has the environment for women in science, particularly in marine biology and conservation, evolved in Oman over the past decade?

There are definitely more women in the field today than twenty years ago. It’s no longer unusual to hear about women working in environmental science, collecting field data, or joining research expeditions. In the past, there were societal stigmas—concerns about women being away from home or working alongside men outside their families. However, as professionalism in the field has become more recognised and understood, these barriers have largely diminished.

How can we better support and encourage young women to pursue careers in these fields?

I think exposure is really important. At the Environment Society of Oman, we have a capacity-building program where we integrate early-career individuals—both men and women—but in reality, we’ve had more female participants. Creating a safe space for them to engage in fieldwork allows them to see that this is a career they can pursue.

We expose them to different aspects of research, from monitoring sea turtles on nesting beaches to boat handling, data collection, and even underwater surveys. Giving them this kind of experience, in an environment where they feel comfortable and supported, makes a huge difference in encouraging them to continue in the field if it’s something they’re passionate about.

Having broken through several barriers in your fieldwork career, what advice would you give to young women who face similar societal or cultural challenges in pursuing careers in science and technology?

Find what you're passionate about and pursue it. Set your own boundaries—don’t let others define them for you. And most importantly, don’t allow other people’s perceptions to limit you. Do your best, stay committed, and at the end of the day, your actions and achievements will speak for themselves.

Sustainability is no longer a niche issue—it’s a necessity. What steps should MENA countries take to fully integrate sustainability into both business practices and daily life?

There’s been a strong push toward achieving net-zero goals, which is great progress. But alongside that, we need to ensure that nature-based solutions are at the centre of our efforts. Addressing climate change and biodiversity loss should go hand in hand, not as separate conversations. The two are deeply interconnected, and any sustainable strategy must recognise that.

When it comes to businesses, sustainability needs to be embedded in every sector, not treated as an isolated responsibility of governments, NGOs, or a handful of corporations. Whether you are a government entity, a school, a university, or a business, sustainability should be at the heart of decision-making. It has to be a collective effort across society—only then will we see real, lasting change.

Beyond integration, how can MENA countries—especially Oman—position themselves as global leaders in conservation and sustainable development? What steps are needed to set an example for others?

Leadership in sustainability means embedding it across all sectors and actively supporting technologies that advance climate mitigation, adaptation, and nature conservation. One way MENA countries can showcase leadership is by committing to international frameworks such as the Global Biodiversity Framework or “30x30” a global commitment to protecting and managing  30% of land and marine ecosystems by 2030—a target that signals serious commitment to protecting biodiversity.

Another critical step is investing in people. Building human capacity, starting with youth engagement, is essential. Young people should be part of the solution-building process, helping shape policies and initiatives that will make their countries more resilient to future environmental challenges. A strong foundation of education, research, and innovation will be key in positioning the region as a leader in conservation and sustainability.