Muscat – The seasonal ban of fishing and trading of kingfish in the sultanate will come into effect from Tuesday, August 15, marking the beginning of kingfish breeding season, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources (MAFWR). 

In a statement issued by MAFWR said, ‘The ban period will last for two months and end on October 15 in accordance with the provisions of the Ministerial Decision No 230/2014.’

By implementing the decision, the ministry aims to preserve stocks of kingfish and regulate fishing in order to achieve a balance between natural reserves and demand for the fish. 

The ministry urged all fishermen, transporters, companies and institutions engaged in fishing, marketing and exporting kingfish to follow its directives and decisions. The ministry also stressed the need to monitor the fish development departments and centres in the governorates to record the quantities of kingfish in their possession before the ban enters into force, adding that trading and exporting of kingfish will not be allowed during the ban period unless they have been registered.