Artificial reefs enhance fisheries sector through ongoing deployment
Published: 04:09 PM,Sep 10,2023 | EDITED : 08:09 PM,Sep 10,2023
MUSCAT: An interim assessment of the benefits of artificial reef deployment has begun off the Wilayat of Sur coast, an initiative sponsored by Omifco.
This assessment – the third in the series - aims to rigorously track the efficacy of these modules while also undertaking a detailed examination of fish abundance and seasonal trends to comprehensively understand their performance.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources (MoAFWR) recently signed an agreement with Haejoo Engineering and Construction Company (HAEJOO) to execute the second phase of the artificial reef project off the Wilayat of Sur.
The agreement encompassed the design, manufacturing, and deployment of artificial reef modules in the Wilayat of Sur and the monitoring of their performance in the marine environment.
Within the framework of the efforts to follow up and evaluate the artificial reef units in the Wilayat of Sur, the Directorate of Fisheries Research in Oman, represented by the Marine Science Center, has now commenced the third phase of evaluation of these units in cooperation with Haejoo.
The evaluation aims to monitor the efficiency of these units and compare the abundance and seasonality of fish.
Artificial reefs are marine habitats created and built from ecologically acceptable materials in a variety of types to accommodate varied depths and targeted marine organisms.
They are placed on the seafloor, particularly in locations where natural coral reefs do not exist.
The importance of artificial reefs lies in their ability to improve the biodiversity of the area in which they are constructed. They offer a proper habitat for marine life reproduction and sustenance, helping to the promotion and sustainability of fish populations.
They provide an ideal fishing environment for local fishermen by decreasing labour, time, and the need for selective fishing equipment like nets, resulting in the high-quality catch, and enhanced financial returns.
By providing an appealing environment for diving and tourist activities, artificial reefs help to boost other economic sectors. They also provide a habitat for scientific studies on artificial reefs and the biological creatures that inhabit them.
This assessment – the third in the series - aims to rigorously track the efficacy of these modules while also undertaking a detailed examination of fish abundance and seasonal trends to comprehensively understand their performance.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources (MoAFWR) recently signed an agreement with Haejoo Engineering and Construction Company (HAEJOO) to execute the second phase of the artificial reef project off the Wilayat of Sur.
The agreement encompassed the design, manufacturing, and deployment of artificial reef modules in the Wilayat of Sur and the monitoring of their performance in the marine environment.
Within the framework of the efforts to follow up and evaluate the artificial reef units in the Wilayat of Sur, the Directorate of Fisheries Research in Oman, represented by the Marine Science Center, has now commenced the third phase of evaluation of these units in cooperation with Haejoo.
The evaluation aims to monitor the efficiency of these units and compare the abundance and seasonality of fish.
Artificial reefs are marine habitats created and built from ecologically acceptable materials in a variety of types to accommodate varied depths and targeted marine organisms.
They are placed on the seafloor, particularly in locations where natural coral reefs do not exist.
The importance of artificial reefs lies in their ability to improve the biodiversity of the area in which they are constructed. They offer a proper habitat for marine life reproduction and sustenance, helping to the promotion and sustainability of fish populations.
They provide an ideal fishing environment for local fishermen by decreasing labour, time, and the need for selective fishing equipment like nets, resulting in the high-quality catch, and enhanced financial returns.
By providing an appealing environment for diving and tourist activities, artificial reefs help to boost other economic sectors. They also provide a habitat for scientific studies on artificial reefs and the biological creatures that inhabit them.