Crackdown intensifies against illegal fishermen, 42 expats arrested

MUSCAT, Oct 29 - As many as 42 expatriates fishing illegally in Oman’s coastal waters have been arrested by authorities over the last four days in an intensifying crackdown under way along the Sultanate’s shores. Of this number, 24 were nabbed using prohibited fishing nets off the coast between Mahout and Masirah Island. A further three were captured off Masirah, while 11 were seized from boats operating off Al Shuwaymiyah in Dhofar Governorate. The arrests stemmed from efforts mounted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries in combating unauthorised fishing and marine activities deemed harmful to the coastal environment. The raids came in the wake of reports of illegal fishing activity by non-Omanis that led to an outcry among local fishermen angered by the harm that the use or prohibited fishing nets and practices has caused to the marine environment. Pledging stern action against the culprits, authorities said it would not tolerate any damage to the reef beds and other natural marine structures that serve as nurseries for fish. The crackdown is being conducted by the Royal Oman Police in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and Ministry of Manpower. In a statement issued earlier to the media, the under-secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries reiterated that while law does allow licensed Omani fishermen to give their boats and fishing gear to family members and friends for fishing activities, it strictly forbids expatriates from exploiting this provision. The statement urged the fishermen community to report any irregularities to the authorities in the interest of safeguarding the marine wealth of the nation. Fishing violations soared to 1,931 cases last year, up from 1,504 in 2015. Of this number, 438 offences took place in the waters off the Dhofar Governorate, up from 283 in 2015. Wusta was ranked in the tally, followed by Muscat and Sharqiyah South, Musandam and finally Batinah South. Zainab al Nassri