Omani abalone found on Masirah Island after 40 years
Published: 10:05 PM,May 18,2021 | EDITED : 12:05 AM,May 19,2021
Zainab al Nassri
@zainabalnasseri
During a field survey, a team from the Fisheries Research Centre in Dhofar documented the presence of Omani abalone on Masirah Island after its disappearance some 40 years ago in 1977, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources announced.
This scientific documentation, which happened last February, is the first-of-its-kind for the rate of presence of abalone in Masirah Island. The geographical spread of abalone in the Arabian Sea extends to Dhofar Governorate through Al Wusta and Masirah Island, proving the ecological diversification of the Omani marine environment.
The Omani abalone, holding the scientific name 'Haliotis Maria', is a single-shell marine mollusc of high economic value. The existence of this species in the world is limited to the seas of the Sultanate, specifically in the Arabian Sea in the area between the Dhofar Governorate and parts of the Al Wusta Governorate.
In view of its economic and social importance, the ministry has set laws and legislations regulating its exploitation and ensuring its sustainability by monitoring the state of its natural stocks, organising fishing seasons and carrying out research studies, in addition to working on developing a comprehensive strategy to regulate the management of abalone fisheries within the objectives of Oman Vision 2040 as one of the most important marine products in the Sultanate.
@zainabalnasseri
During a field survey, a team from the Fisheries Research Centre in Dhofar documented the presence of Omani abalone on Masirah Island after its disappearance some 40 years ago in 1977, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources announced.
This scientific documentation, which happened last February, is the first-of-its-kind for the rate of presence of abalone in Masirah Island. The geographical spread of abalone in the Arabian Sea extends to Dhofar Governorate through Al Wusta and Masirah Island, proving the ecological diversification of the Omani marine environment.
The Omani abalone, holding the scientific name 'Haliotis Maria', is a single-shell marine mollusc of high economic value. The existence of this species in the world is limited to the seas of the Sultanate, specifically in the Arabian Sea in the area between the Dhofar Governorate and parts of the Al Wusta Governorate.
In view of its economic and social importance, the ministry has set laws and legislations regulating its exploitation and ensuring its sustainability by monitoring the state of its natural stocks, organising fishing seasons and carrying out research studies, in addition to working on developing a comprehensive strategy to regulate the management of abalone fisheries within the objectives of Oman Vision 2040 as one of the most important marine products in the Sultanate.