MUSCAT: The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries represented by the Directorate-General for Fish Marketing and Investment is developing the fish markets network in the Sultanate as per a comprehensive plan which includes building new fish markets and upgrading the existing ones in the different parts of the Sultanate. The Ministry pointed out that the plan included various aspects, such as conducting a survey for the markets at the different governorates.
The survey included the infrastructure, the services available, the market businesses, the number of sellers and the needs for rehabilitating and developing the market.
The survey helped the Ministry in having a data base on fish markets in the Sultanate.
The Ministry can, thus rely on such database when it develops the market rehabilitation programme and identifies the needs and the scope for development of such markets. The Ministry pointed out that the Directorate-General for Fish Marketing and Investment has implemented a project to develop the central and retail markets in the Sultanate in a bid to develop the fish marketing network.
It also provided the necessary services and facilities at the targeted markets and enhanced the basic services and facilities at the targeted markets.
It also encourages sellers at the fish markets and marketing outlets to meet their needs from the central wholesale fish market.
The Ministry also issued the Fish Market Regulation in a bid to develop the fish marketing network in the Sultanate and ensure integrated of the activities associated with the marine fishing sector.
The Regulation also aims at ensuring benefits for all stakeholders of fish markets and fisheries in sector in general.
The Regulation, which falls in six chapters aims at regularising the fish markets, ensuring control over them and regularising the handling of fish and their products.
The Regulation also highlights the health requirements, the quality control for the fish products and fish licensing.
The Directorate General for Fish Marketing and Investment represented by the Consumption Awareness Department is conducting a number of awareness events to highlight the nutritional benefits from eating fish and the proper means for handling, storing and cooking fish.
The Central Fish Market at Al Fulaij area in the Wilayat of Barka in the Governorate of South Al Batinah, which meets the technical and health requirements, is operated as per the latest system used in the operations of wholesale markets and in line with the needs of the fish market in the Sultanate.
It should be noted that the fish market in the Wilayat of Al Suwaiq in the Governorate of North Al Batinah was opened on May 17.
An agreement was signed in 2017 to construct Model Fish Market in the Wilayat of Ibri in the Governorate of Al Dhahirah. — ONA
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