Muscat – Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources (MAFWR) announced recently commencement of construction of a new fish market in North Sharqiyah. The project, covering an area of 281sqm, is located in the niyabat of Samad Al Shan in Mudhaibi.

The market will include a fish display hall, vegetable shops, a storeroom, an ice production unit and restroom facilities. The project aims to enhance and modernise fish markets, support local fishermen and generate job opportunities.

According to preliminary statistics from the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI), the total quantity of fish landed by artisanal fisherman in the sultanate in 2023 till the end of September was 483,984 tonnes, valued at RO285.86mn. This reflects a 19.5% increase compared to the same period in 2022, when 405,013 tonnes were landed.

NCSI data also shows that commercial fishing landed 29,366 tonnes, while coastal fishing accounted for 3,565 tonnes in 2023 till the end of September.

Al Wusta recorded the highest quantity of fish landed through artisanal fishing – 180,501 tonnes – followed by South Sharqiyah, which recorded 146,517 tonnes.