SUHAR: The six fishing ports spread across North Al Batinah Governorate constitute an integrated system for fishermen as they involve spots for fish landing along with other service facilities that provide a suitable environment for all fishing-related activities and generate job opportunities for nationals.
The fishing harbours in the North Al Batinah Governorate have ice factories and shops for grilling fish, selling fishing equipment, boat and engine maintenance workshops and factories for the packaging of fish, refrigerated stores and other facilities related to the fisheries sector. By the end of April 2021, the fish output in North Al Batinah Governorate amounted to 21,147 tonnes, while the total number of licenses issued for practicing the fishing profession in the governorate was 12,296 licenses.
There are 5,002 artisanal fishing boats and 21 fishing vessels in North Al Batinah Governorate.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources carried out several projects the fisheries sector in North Al Batinah Governorate with the aim to promote and develop this sector and provide job opportunities for nationals and encourage the private sector to invest in development projects and raise the added value of fish products, thus raising income of fishermen and encourage them to continue practicing the fishing profession.
These projects include placing artificial reefs in the wilayats of Sohar and Liwa with the support of the Jusoor Foundation to provide a suitable environment for coral growth and fish reproduction thereby increasing fish stocks and the diversity of marine life especially the benthic species. This is in addition to the marine farm of artificial reefs in the Wilayat of Al Suwaiq which aims to sustain and enhance fish production in the Sea of Oman. The marine farm is about 20 kilometers long and 7 kilometers wide with depths ranging between 15 and 30 metres. -- ONA
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