MUSCAT: The Al Wusta Governorate has emerged as the leading governorate in the Sultanate of Oman in fish production as per the 2022 statistics, with a production of approximately 250,000 tonnes, accounting for 36 per cent of the total production. The value of this production exceeds RO 100 million.
Dr Ali bin Abdullah al Alawi, Director General of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Water Resources in Al Wusta Governorate, affirmed the government's keen interest in the fisheries sector in the region due to the job opportunities it offers in marine fishing and related industries.
By the end of 2023, the number of registered fishermen in the governorate exceeded 4,800, alongside 201 fishing boats and 530 fish transport and marketing vehicles. Additionally, there are 149 artisanal fishing vessels.
Al Alawi revealed that the establishment of the multifaceted marine fishing port in the Special Economic Zone in Duqm (SEZAD) includes facilities for maintaining commercial, coastal, and artisanal fishing vessels, as well as fishing factories, fish selling facilities, and a center for training and qualifying fishermen. The construction of paved roads to serve fish transport vehicles has also been completed.
The fishing port, covering an area of 7.5 square kilometers, and the fish and food industries complex, with an equivalent area, are poised to become major economic drivers in the region, attracting local and international companies specialized in fishing and related industries.
The fish and food industries zone, positioned near the "multi-purpose" marine fishing port in SEZAD, holds promise as an investment area to enhance the value of the fish landing in the port. Currently, the zone houses several specialised factories for fish canning, fish oil production, and similar activities, with the capacity to accommodate around 60 facilities focused on the fish and food industries sector. In the Central Governorate, there are a total of 61 factories, encompassing fish freezing and packaging, canning, fish powder and oil production, drying, and ice production activities.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources is set to implement various plans and projects to bolster the sector and support fishermen in the near future. These initiatives include the establishment of value-added factories like fish canning facilities, the enhancement of the fish market in the Wilayat of Mahout, the development of the fishing port in the Wilayat of Mahout, and the expansion of the fishing port in Al-Lakbi. Additionally, the ministry aims to set up fish collection centers in Haitam and Ras Madrakah in Duqm, and launch multiple fish farming projects in the governorate of Al-Jazar.
Al Alawi highlighted that the total investment value of the ongoing and completed projects has exceeded RO 162 million. The ministry is also eyeing fish farming projects valued at over RO 770 million, which are expected to commence in the upcoming period. Al Alawi revealed that the ministry has introduced a range of investment opportunities in fish farming projects in Al Wusta Governorate. These opportunities encompass the cultivation of white Indian shrimp in the Wilayat of Mahout, white-legged shrimp in the Wilayat of Al Jazir and Bar Al Hikman, and Omani semolina. In addition, there are plans for fin fish (pigeons) farming in SEZAD and a shrimp farming project in the Ras Madrakah area in the Wilayat of Duqm, which have been presented on a development platform.
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