MUSCAT, JUNE 25
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Water Resources has announced the launch of a study to assess the status of pelagic fish stocks along the coasts of Oman.
According to officials, the study, which will be conducted by the Marine Science and Fisheries Centre of the Directorate General of Fisheries Research, is significant due to the vital economic role of these fish and their importance to food security.
The results of the study will be used to develop and improve the condition of small pelagic fish stocks, ensure their sustainability and increase fish production.
The study will cover four types of fish sardines, Indian mackerel, anchovies, and deep water anchovies.
According to the Ministry, samples will be collected from along the Sea of Oman and the Arabian Sea. The study will focus on the biological characteristics and measurements of the samples, including age, size, length and reproductive methods. The study will aim to identify the status of the stock in each coastal governorate.
The fisheries and aquaculture sector is expected to contribute $5.2 billion in value to the local GDP by 2040 according to Invest Oman.
Officials have also stressed that value-added products have a bigger economic potential than raw fish. Highlighting the significant difference in this value, in remarks to the Observer last year, Redha Bait Faraj, the previous Director General of Agricultural and Fisheries Marketing at the Ministry, pointed out that a metric tonne of fresh sardines has a value of RO 350, while a canned tonne has a value of RO 575.
Earlier this year, Simak, the largest fish canning factory in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, began operations in Al Wusta Governorate, with a daily output capacity of 192,000 cans of sardines and 180,000 cans of tuna.
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