The fisheries sector in Oman employs more than 34,000 people and is a major contributor to the Sultanate’s gross domestic product (GDP).
This sector is one of the important one in the non-oil sector. This sector assumes special significance as it helps in providing food security to the country and employment of citizens.
The Sultanate’s 3,165-km-long coast is a meeting point of three seas and a significant marine source and is distinguished for its biological diversity.
The fisheries sector has a tangible contribution to the GDP. Associated sectors include fish processing, marketing, exporting, packaging and storing, in addition to the manufacturing of fishing tools and other equipment also prosper along with the main sector.
The government has been working to develop the sector and a number of steps are being taken including setting up of jetties and training fishermen in the use of modern technology so that the sector can contribute more to the GDP.
In response to the directives of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos to develop human resources, a fishermen’s institute was opened in Salalah recently and this is in addition to the other institutes which are in operation in the country.
The Salalah Fishermen’s Institute plays a significant role in providing the local market with qualified manpower. The establishment of this institutes has been a successful project which enhances the scope for the development of the sector. This institute imparts specialised courses which make the youth capable of working in the sector and shoulder greater responsibilities.
More and more Omani youth are being trained in various specialisations including mechanical engineering covering onboard and deep-sea engineering, as well as navigation, cooling and air-conditioning, electrical and electronic engineering and welding. The doors of the institute are open for those aged between 18-25 and holders of General Education Diploma, in addition to those aged 16-25 from among those who have completed Class 10 studies of Basic Education System.
This institute offers international licence in computer applications, which includes programmes designed for fishermen, among other certificates.
Recently, the government has earmarked in excess of RO 100 million for the development of the fisheries sector in the current 8th Five Year Plan. The lion’s share of this amount will go towards the construction of ports and other fishery-related infrastructure during the period of the Plan.
This is more than four times what was allotted during the previous plan, and a big jump. Much of this allocation will go towards infrastructure.
By the end of the Five Year Plan, we hope to have a fishing port in each coastal town in Oman. This will have a massive positive impact on the livelihoods of fishermen. The part of this allocation will also help finance the upgrade of the fishing fleet, marketing chain infrastructure, training, exploration of new markets, and improvements in the quality of fish.
At the same time, the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries has expanded the coverage of its subsidy scheme to cover not only greater number of deserving fishermen, but also other segments of the fishery industry.