JAALAN BANI BU ALI: The fishermen of the governorates of Dhofar, Al Wusta and South Al Sharqiyah started fishing lobster last week, whose season starts at the beginning of March until the end of April of each year and continues for two months.
The fishing of lobster is considered one of the most valuable marine resources. The lobster fishing season represents an economic and social importance for fishermen, especially those living in the coastal areas of these governorates because of its good economic returns.
The seasons of fishing in the Sultanate vary during the year, with the aim of breeding and organising them, including fishing season of (lobster, squid, shrimp and barred Spanish mackerel).
These fish are of different types, in terms of habitat. Some are pelagic, demersal, crustacean to molluscs, and characterised by high nutritional value, high prices in the local and global markets.
The fishermen annually fish lobster in the coastal wilayats of the governorates of Dhofar, Al Wusta and South Al Sharqiyah, overlooking the coastal strip of the Arabian Sea because these governorates have fishing sites that are rich in fish due to the nature of the Arabian Sea and its marine biodiversity.
Lobsters live among rocks and coral reefs, as well as in sandy and clay environments and in shallow depths close to the beaches.
Salim bin Sultan al Araimi, Director of Fisheries Department, in Jaalan Bani Bu Ali, said: “During the 2017 season, positive economic indicators were recorded in terms of quantities of production and sizes of fish that were caught.”
He explained to ONA that preliminary indicators of fish statistics show that the Sultanate’s production of lobster during the 2017 season amounted to 464 tonnes according to the statistics of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, while the quantity of production in 2016 was 430 tonnes, an increase of 8 per cent. The Governorate of Dhofar came first in terms of the amount of lobster with 329 tonnes, followed by South Al Sharqiyah with 67 tonnes, and then Al Wusta with 59 tonnes.
The price of a kilogramme is between RO 4 and RO 5, depending on the quantity and demand, and is consumed locally and internationally, exported to the Gulf countries and some Asian and European countries.
The Department of Fisheries Development in Jaalan Bani Bu Ali has made a number of field visits to all fishermen in the wilayat, in order to raise their awareness and guide them to abide by the fishing process in accordance with the laws set by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries in order to preserve marine wealth. Lobster is one of the largest marine resources in the Sultanate. It is considered one of the highest marine resources.
Lobster has a great nutritional value. It is a major source of protein, rich in potassium, zinc and iron, and contains adequate amounts of calcium and magnesium. — ONA
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
