Salalah – The 2024 Abalone Stock Survey conducted by the Fisheries Research Centre at the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources (MAFWR) has revealed encouraging signs of recovery in the size and abundance of the mollusk in the sultanate.

For the first time, drones were deployed to monitor and guide abalone fisheries, a step towards digital transformation that also streamlined the licence application process for the 2024 season.

During the 2024 abalone season, 76 tonnes of abalone were harvested over ten fishing days in November, compared to 149 tonnes harvested over 30 days during the 2011 season. The ministry had temporarily lifted a four-year ban on abalone fishing to allow for this limited harvest.

With abalone stocks under pressure, the ministry periodically imposes ban to protect the resource. Fishing and trading were prohibited from 2020 to 2023, after a two-year ban that had been lifted briefly in 2019.

In 2024, 2,369 fishing licences were issued, a significant reduction from the 4,418 licences issued in 2011.

Eng Muslim Salem Rafeet, Assistant Director General of Fisheries in Dhofar, informed that the wilayat of Sadah accounted for the bulk of the production, contributing 93.5% of the total output, with Mirbat producing the remaining 6.5%.

To ensure sustainable practices, the ministry regulates fishing sizes, restricts fishing seasons, and sets stringent guidelines for obtaining licences. Awareness campaigns on social media have also been running to encourage conservation across all age groups.

A total of 2,459 fishermen met the ministry’s requirements for diving, and 2,475 licences were issued for the 2024 season. Among these, Mirbat led with 47% of the licences, followed by Sadah with 42%, Salalah with 7%, and Taqah with 1%. Other regions, including Shalim, Al Halaniyat Islands, Dhalkhout, and Rakhyut, accounted for the remaining 1.1%.

In addition, 106 licences were issued for the preparation, storage, and trading of abalone, with 11 approved centres facilitating trade during the season.

Omani abalone, unique to the southern coastline of Oman, is the only species of its kind in the Middle East. It plays a significant role in the local economy, providing livelihoods for many and serving as a valuable export.

Locally, abalone fetches an average price of RO45 per kilogram, while globally it can command prices as high as RO200/kg (as of 2019).

The ministry remains committed to safeguarding this valuable resource, balancing conservation efforts with economic benefits to ensure long-term sustainability in abalone fisheries.