In a move to support the fishing sector and stimulate economic activities, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources (MAFWR) is planning to establish two new fish markets in two different governorates.  

The ministry has called tender inviting Omani companies to bid for setting up the markets in the wilayat of Yanqul in Dhahirah and the wilayat of Bahla in Dakhliyah governorates. 

The deadline for submitting the bid is March 28.  

The project aims to stimulate economic activities in the two governorates, said MAFWR. 

The ministry has also announced the start of operations in the new fish market in the wilayat of Jalaan Bani Bu Ali in South Sharqiyah, which came up with private sector investment, at a cost of RO400,000.  

As per the ministry the total area of invested land is 8,402sqm. The area of the market building is 1,000sqm. 

The facility has an air-conditioning system, a cooling store, an ice factory, a calling hall, and the main fish sales hall containing 35 tables for sale and 12 tables for cutting. The market also contains administrative offices and parking for customers, and 26 shops for various commercial activities, the ministry said. 

Increase in fish landing 

The total quantities of fish landed in the sultanate till the end of December last year reached around 800,000 tonnes, an increase of 38 per cent, according to the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI). 

NCSI said that the total quantity of fish landed in 2020 reached 799,366 tonnes and was valued at RO349.832mn. 

‘The highest quantity of fish landed by artisanal fishing came from Al Wusta governorate, reaching 293,893 tonnes, while the largest quantity of fish came from the share of small pelagics reaching 450,868 tonnes,’ NCSI added.