MUSCAT: Oman’s aquaculture sector is gaining momentum, underpinned by rising investment flows and steady gains in output as the Sultanate advances its blue economy and food security agenda. Data from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources show that cumulative investments in existing aquaculture projects reached around RO 349 million by the end of 2025, signalling sustained investor confidence in the sector’s long-term prospects.
Additional agreements worth more than RO 50 million have also been signed, set to deliver over 15,000 tonnes of new annual production capacity, largely focused on shrimp and marine fish farming. This pipeline reflects a broader shift towards scaling up high-value aquaculture segments while strengthening domestic supply chains.
Production has continued to expand at a measured pace, reaching approximately 9,240 tonnes by end-2025. Of this total, commercial aquaculture accounted for 7,970 tonnes, while integrated aquaculture contributed 605 tonnes, highlighting incremental efficiency gains and a widening operational base.
Dr Abdul Aziz bin Saeed al Marzouqi, Director General of Fisheries Development, said the sector is undergoing a qualitative transformation driven by investment expansion and improved productivity, enhancing its contribution to the national economy. He noted that production is becoming increasingly diversified, spanning shrimp, marine fish, oysters and abalone, alongside emerging activities such as seaweed and algae cultivation.
Integrated aquaculture is also gaining traction as a resource-efficient model, combining aquaculture with agricultural or aquatic systems to optimise water and input use. This approach is expected to play a supporting role in improving overall sector sustainability.
Looking ahead, Oman is targeting aquaculture output of around 252,000 tonnes by 2030, reflecting an ambitious expansion strategy aligned with broader economic diversification goals. With investment inflows accelerating and production systems evolving, the sector is positioning itself as a key pillar of future non-oil growth. — ONA
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