Muscat – By the end of June this year, artisanal fishing made up 93.9% of the total fish landed in Oman, accounting for 371,647 tonnes. This represents a 5% increase compared to the same period in 2022 when it accounted for 353,950 tonnes.

Data released by the National Centre for Statistics and Information shows that the value of the catch of artisanal fishing was RO195.884mn. Commercial fishing accounted for 20,724 tonnes, while coastal fishing contributed 3,059 tonnes.

Among the governorates, Al Wusta recorded the highest quantity of fish landed through artisanal fishing – 144,707 tonnes – followed by South Sharqiyah – 110,593 tonnes, Dhofar – 42,128 tonnes, North Batinah and South Batinah – 37,553 tonnes.

Musandam recorded 21,938 tonnes of fish landed through artisanal fishing, while Muscat registered 14,727 tonnes.

Small surface fish constituted the largest part of the catch, accounting for 221,234 tonnes by the end of June 2023. This marks a 17.7% increase compared to the same period in 2022 when the quantity was 187,895 tonnes.

The quantity of large surface fish caught by artisanal fishing decreased 6.5% to 83,846 tonnes by the end of June, compared to 89,638 tonnes in June 2022. The quantity of demersal fish caught also decreased – 13.5% – to 57,379 tonnes by the end of June from 66,309 tonnes in June 2022.

The quantity of sharks landed through artisanal fishing increased 12.7% to 3,119 tonnes this year compared to 2,000 tonnes in 2022.

A total of 4,096 tonnes of crustaceans and mollusks were caught through artisanal fishing by the end of June 2023, compared to 4,434 tonnes in June 2022. Additionally, other types of fish caught through artisanal fishing accounted for 1,973 tonnes.

The dominance of artisanal fishing in Oman’s fish landings underscores its significance in the local fishing industry and highlights the importance of sustainable practices to preserve marine resources for the future.