Muscat – Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources (MAFWR) is pressing ahead with a series of initiatives to consolidate the fisheries sector in South Batinah.

Amer bin Humaid al Shibli, Director General of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources in South Batinah, said work is progressing on a new fish market in Rustaq, valued at RO500,000, and four aquaculture investment opportunities have been offered in the wilayats of Barka and Musannah.

He added that an artificial coral reef project in Musannah is moving forward, with 80 units due to be manufactured and installed at a cost of RO400,000. The project is expected to improve fish breeding environments and support food security.

In Barka, 160 artificial coral reef units have been deployed, which are monitored every six months. The project aims to rehabilitate and expand coral reef areas and includes the creation of an underwater military museum using decommissioned military equipment as reef bases. The initiative supports ecotourism and reduces pressure on natural reefs near the Daymaniyat Islands Nature Reserve.

The second phase of the Barka Fishing Port development – Barka Marina –  includes plans for a shopping centre, retail outlets, restaurants, hotels, an entertainment centre, a water park and a water fountain show. Coordination is also underway to complete a coastal road project.

Shibli informed that the marina will help drive marine tourism and create direct and indirect job opportunities.

He stressed that such projects will increase the fisheries sector’s economic contribution, attract new investments and provide better facilities for Omani fishermen, particularly for fish landing and marketing.

Last year, MAFWR completed several major projects in the governorate. These include an integrated barramundi aquaculture project, which utilises water for crop cultivation, at a cost of RO6.75mn. The Omani Bio-Products project for the production of animal and fish feed, developed with Oman Investment Authority, was completed at a cost of around RO8mn.