International Whaling Commission hails Sultanate’s rescuing humpback whale By: ONA Muscat: The International Whaling Commission (IWC) has commended the efforts made by the Sultanate, represented by the Environment Authority, in saving the life of a humpback whale that got caught in nets off Duqm Port. The IWC said that the humpback whale in the Arabian Sea zone is considered a rare species due to the fact that this species does not migrate, but spends its whole life in the Arabian Sea. This makes this species extremely exposed to the risk of extinction. The IWC, which described the rescue operation as highly significant, had already listed the humpback whale in one of five groups of most endangered species of whales. It said that saving the life of a single whale would have a great impact on genetic diversity and replenishing of stocks.