Nine-month shrimp fishing ban from Dec 1

A nine-month ban on shrimp fishing and trading will take effect from December 1, 2022, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources (MAFWR) has announced.

In a statement, the ministry said that it declares the end of the shrimp fishing season in the sultanate for this year on November 30, and a ban on shrimp fishing and trading during the period of fertilisation, reproduction and natural growth from December 1 to August 31, 2023.

An official at MAFWR said, “The ministry urges all fishermen, fish transporters, companies, institutions, hotels, restaurants and individuals engaged in fishing and marketing of shrimp to get in touch with fisheries development departments and centres and record the quantity of shrimp in their stock before the start of the ban. Trading and exporting shrimp will not be allowed during the ban period unless the leftover stock is registered in advance.”

The ministry called on everyone to cooperate to avoid legal procedures and penalties. Violators of the ban are liable to a fine of up to RO5,000 or imprisonment of up to three months, or both penalties, with confiscation of the quantity of shrimp, equipment used in committing the violation, and temporary or permanent withdrawal of fishing licence.

MAFWR organises monitoring campaigns in cooperation with relevant authorities, including the Coast Guard of Royal Oman Police, Royal Oman Navy, Maritime Security Centre and the Ministry of Labour regularly to raise awareness on fishing regulations.