In a move to increase fish exports, national income by supporting fishermen, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources (MAFWR) has decided to provide 25 vehicles fitted with refrigerators to fish dealers in several wilayats of the sultanate.

Speaking to Muscat Daily, an official said that the ministry undertook a project to specially develop 25 vehicles for fish transportation, “as old cars don’t have automatic cooling systems”.

The ministry official said that the project, financed by the Agricultural and Fisheries Development Fund, started on November 3, 2019. “The new pick-ups weighing between three to ten tonnes” will be ready for the fish exporters by October 1 this year. 

“The project targets those who transport fish across the land borders with neighbouring countries,” the official said.

Talking about the objectives of the project, he said it aims to support and encourage fish dealers to maintain the quality of fish and boost their income, while raising awareness of the use of refrigeration devices while transporting fish.

The MAFWR has urged all mobile fish vendors to develop their vehicles to maintain fish quality and in turn increase their income.

The ministry continues to introduce modern technology in efforts to support fishermen and the fisheries sector.

In line with these efforts, the ministry launched a project to transfer knowledge and modern technology for fishing in December 2019.

The project aims at introducing modern longline fishing technology, assisting fishermen and training ministry employees. 

The ministry expects the fisheries sector’s contribution to the GDP to rise to RO387mn and generate over 8,500 direct jobs by 2025, with investments to the tune of RO447mn, it added.