Oman Wires It's all about Oman
Omani fishermen from different governorates say the production of squid season this year has been superb.
“We carry out continuous fishing throughout the season. The estimated amount of fishing per boat per day is from 200kg to 300kg in the state of Duqm and the price of a kilogram of squid is RO1.700,” mentioned a fisherman in Duqm.
Another fisherman from Masirah mentioned that fishermen of all age groups are keen to catch squid due to its nutritional and financial significance. The value right here is RO1.900 per kilogram.
“We thank the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MoAF) for their efforts, encouragement and support for the Omani fishermen as they provide us with the opportunity and appropriate environment to work in the fisheries sector and benefit from the marine wealth. It is a major source of income for many fishermen,” he mentioned.
Statistics issued by the Department of Fish Statistics and Information in the MoAF mentioned that the sultanate’s production of squid in 2018 stood at 16,154 tonnes as compared to 9,504 tonnes in 2017.
Of these, the Governorate of Al Wusta saw the highest production in 2018 with six,558 tonnes, followed by the Governorate of South Sharqiyah at four,137 tonnes and Dhofar at two,620 tonnes. The governorates of North and South Batinah saw squid landings of two,140 tonnes, Musandam 381 tonnes and Muscat 317 tonnes.
On the study side, the ministry, represented by the Marine and Fisheries Science Center and the Aquaculture Center at the Directorate General of Fisheries Research, has performed a quantity of research and scientific study on squid wealth in the sultanate’s waters. Methods and methods of squid culture and propagation in order to preserve and sustain this marine wealth are also becoming researched on.
Locally known as ‘Al Ghatro’, squid is a mollusc that can reside deep under or on the surface of the sea. In Oman, squids are identified along the coastal strip of Oman, specifically in the Arabian Sea, which extends from the coast of Ras al Hadd to the coasts of Dhofar. It is exported to numerous Gulf, Arab, Asian, European and other nations.
Information Source: Muscat Daily
