Muscat -Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources has released a comprehensive advisory highlighting the serious risks associated with purse seine netting in artisanal fishing. According to the Ministry, this fishing method causes significant waste of marine and fishery resources through the capture of non-target species and organisms, large quantities of fish caught in short periods, and the harvesting of undersized and prohibited species.

Purse seining poses severe environmental threats to marine life. These include damage to natural, artificial coral reefs and marine habitats, ecological imbalance resulting from intensive fishing, and the loss or destruction of fishing gear at sea.

The consequences directly affect artisanal fishermen and their sources of income by causing damage to equipment, depleting fish stocks in fishing zones, lowering fishermen’s incomes, and increasing conflicts between users of different fishing methods.

To combat these challenges, the Ministry emphasizes that sustainable fishing is the optimal choice. Proper management requires utilizing selective fishing methods, adhering to regulations governing marine fishing, and safeguarding the marine environment to ensure the longevity of fish stocks.