MUSCAT: The Sultanate’s annual fish landings by way of traditional fishing methods stands at an average 63.37 tonnes of fish per boat, according to data released by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI). The number of fishermen issued fishing licenses in the coastal governorates of the Sultanate stood at 4,020 by the end of 2015, while the total quantity of fish caught using traditional methods last year had reached 254,767 tonnes.
Further, the Sultanate has as many as 2,655 licensed fishing boats. Last year, under the fishermen support programme, 20 cranes, 208 engines and 175 boats were provided to traditional fishermen. The total value of fish landings by the end of last year had increased by 3.4 per cent to touch OMR172.25 million, compared with OMR167.55 million reported in 2014.
Considering the governorates, South A’Sharqiyah recorded as many as 988 licensed fishermen and 600 fishing boats, while the aggregate fish landings achieved using traditional methods stood at 62,642 tonnes in 2015. Al Wusta recorded 76,736 tonnes of fish landings, even as the number of fishing licenses reached 491. The number of licensed boats stood at 415.
In Dhofar, the fishing licenses numbered 412, while 225 boats were issued fishing licenses. The quantity of fish landings stood at 34,756 tonnes. The North and South Al Batinah Governorates together reported 40,813 tonnes of fish landings. Fishing licenses reached 1,378, while licensed fishing boats were numbered at 753.
In Musandam, the number of fishing licenses stood at 50, while boat permits were pegged at 277. As much as 20,312 tonnes of fish landings were reported in 2015. Muscat recorded 19,508 tonnes of fish catch, while fishing licenses were 701. The governorate had 385 licensed fishing boats, data indicated.
