Fisheries lab from next week

The six-week labs will focus on aquaculture, catch, processing and export

MUSCAT: Continuing the efforts of the Sultanate to promote economic diversification, the Fisheries Labs start on Sunday, September 17.

Government officials and experts, as well as representatives from the private sector will participate in the six week long exercise. The fisheries labs come as a government initiative given the importance of the sector, and it being one of the promising sectors included in the Ninth Five-Year Development Plan (2016-2020).

The labs are being organised by the Ministry of the Agriculture and Fisheries, in cooperation with the Implementation Support and Follow-up Unit.

The fisheries sector in the Sultanate witnessed a quantum leap during the past six years 20112016 represented in the growth rates of fish production, production value, contribution to GDP and other performance indicators, achieving rates higher than expected. The labs will focus on three main aspects to discuss and explore their challenges trying to come out with initiatives on aquaculture, catch, processing and export.

The artisanal fishermen are a vital part of the fisheries sector in the Sultanate as the artisanal fishing fleet contributes with a large percentage of fish production, which is estimated at 99 per cent of the total production.

The importance is not only economic, but also have some social and cultural aspects. The artisanal fishing fleet contributes greatly to the supply of fish in the local markets and provides employment opportunities for national manpower. And when looking at the number of artisanal fishermen in the coastal states of the Sultanate, one can realize that these fishermen help in social and economic stability of their families.

In order to provide fish in the local markets and ensure food security in the Sultanate, the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries conducts various programs and projects to develop the capabilities of artisanal fishermen in the coastal governorates, boost up total production and encourage fishermen to keep on their long tradition.