Over 300 arrested for violating fishing law

The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MoAF) has arrested 45 expatriates for violating provisions of the Marine Fishing Law and Protection of Living Aquatic Resources in two days. With this, over 300 violators have been arrested this year.

The ministry is seeking to install tracking devices on fishing boats to apprehend violators.

“We will soon be issuing a tender for purchasing tracking devices that will help us monitor the boats. These devices will help reduce the irregularities in the fisheries sector,” said Eng Salman Khalaf al Subhi, director of Fisheries Control and Licensing Department at MoAF.

The inspectors from the fisheries department have arrested 45 illegal workers in Dhofar and Al Wusta, said Eng Subhi.

“Dozens of illegal boats and fishing tools were seized. Officials also arrested more than 300 from other parts of the sultanate this year,” said Eng Subhi.

The violators will be imprisoned, fined and not allowed to fish again in the sultanate, he added.

MoAF cooperates with the ROP and the Ministry of Manpower to arrest violators. It also organises awareness campaigns in various parts of the sultanate.