Summer ban on export of certain fish announced

MUSCAT: Oman has banned the export of certain types of fish for the whole of summer, according to a recently issued ministerial decision.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, the “Regulation of the Sultanate’s Exports of Species of Fish” Law will prohibit the export of yellowfin tuna, kingfish, longtail tuna, jobfish, and emperor fish.

The law will be effective from June 1 to August 31.

It will also prohibit carrying any of the aforementioned species of fish by any means of transport with the intention of selling the fish through border crossings, during the ban period.

Obtain certification

Owners of vehicles that transport and market fish resources other than the ones prohibited, as well as the companies and institutions listed in the law, must obtain an accredited certification from the Central Fish Market, or from other local markets, which the ministry has identified.

These certificates should in- clude the amount of fish carried, their weight, the date, where they are being sold, the vehicle number, and the name of the vehicle owner. It must be submitted to the export related authorities under the ministry, and the certificate will be valid for only a onetime use.

“The law excludes canned fish, as well as yellow fin tuna and emperor fish in frozen packaging, as it is intended to improve the quality of the fish, and provides additional value to the fish,” the ministerial decision stated.

The exception requires that companies and institutions buying fish obtain a licence and get quality certification from ministry officials overseeing exports.