MUSCAT: Fisheries Development Oman (FDO) will celebrate on December 7 the opening of its shrimp farming project at Al Khuwaymah in the Wilayat of Jaalan Bani Bu Ali – a venture that will contribute significantly to Oman’s food security goals.
According to Eng Bilarab bin Omar al Battashi, Project Engineer, the farm is being built on an area of 2 million m2 with an investment of RO 16 million. Production is targeted to reach 3,700 tonnes of white-legged shrimp annually in 2024, rising to 4,000 tonnes per annum eventually. Experimental production, which began in March, has so far yielded around 500 tonnes of shrimp.
In a statement to Oman News Agency, Al Battashi said the shrimp farm features a hatchery unit, 48 primary nursery ponds, 126 external grow-out ponds, a main feeding channel with a length of 1,500 metres, main suction channel, ice factory of 25 tonnes per day capacity, water desalination plant of 150 m3/day capacity, maintenance workshops, pre-treatment and packaging facilities, administrative offices, warehouses, laboratory, maintenance workshops and staff accommodation.
The project farms white-legged shrimp of their demand, quality and suitability for Oman’s weather conditions. Out of 170 workers employed by operating company Oriental Shrimp Farming, Omanisation has reached 35%.
According to the Aquaculture Department of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources, the Al Khuwaymah Shrimp Farming Project will support the growth of fisheries in line with Oman Vision 2040. It will also create opportunities for Omani traders and SMEs to venture into shrimp marketing and exports. (ONA)
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