Musandam fishing sites upgraded

DIBBA: The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources has completed a project to rehabilitate marine sites in Musandam Governorate, including the construction of 12 fixed jetties and 11 shelters for fishing communities.
The project covered coastal locations in the wilayats of Dibba and Khasab and the Niabat of Lima as part of efforts to improve fisheries infrastructure, support the sustainability of fish resources and provide better working conditions for fishermen.
The locations rehabilitated in Dibba included Haffa, Sanat, Shariyah Al Hilwah, Adas, Al Sadwin, Dini and Aqaba.
In Khasab, the project covered Nazifi, Sham, Sibi, Ghab Ali, Quba, Shisha, Shabus, Al Balad, Ghafoul, Al Bout and Kumzar, while work in the Niabat of Lima included the areas of Emis and Maiwi.
Dr Ali bin Abdullah al Alawi, Director-General of Agricultural Wealth, Fisheries and Water Resources in Musandam Governorate, said fishing remained one of the governorate’s most important economic activities and a major source of income for local communities.
Musandam’s marine environment supports diverse fish resources, but many fishermen operate from dispersed coastal sites located within khors and far from the centres of the wilayats, he said.
This made it necessary to rehabilitate the sites and provide basic infrastructure and services for fishermen and their families.
The project included fixed jetties and shaded areas intended to improve services, ease operational challenges and provide safer and more efficient fish-landing facilities.
The infrastructure is also expected to help maintain the quality of landed fish and protect fishing equipment from damage.
Al Alawi said the project would make it easier for fishermen to board and leave their boats, particularly elderly people and women.
It is also intended to encourage fishermen to remain in the profession and support an increase in fish production across the governorate.
Khalifa bin Ali al Shehhi, Director of the Fisheries Wealth Department, said the project included 12 fixed jetties, seven of which were constructed at marine sites in Dibba and five in Khasab.
A further 11 shelters were built at marine sites in the Wilayat of Khasab.
Al Shehhi said the department had submitted a proposal for another phase of the rehabilitation programme to build on the completed work and provide additional basic services at coastal sites across Musandam. — ONA