Pilot fish farms to be established in South Al Batinah

The Ministry of Agricultural, Fisheries and Water Resources signed an agreement with Muscat Yachts to establish a pilot marine fish farming project in saline farms using water recirculation technology, funded by the Agricultural and Fisheries Development Fund.

The agreement was signed by Ya’qoob bin Khalfan Al Busaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry, and Abdullah bin Saeed Al Busaidi, CEO of Muscat Yachts.

Al Musannah in South Al Batinah Governorate was selected as the project site, where a modern, water-efficient recirculation technique will be employed.

This high-yield method requires less water, minimal chemicals and can adapt to climate change. The project is expected to produce eight tonnes of cobia fish annually.

The new technology aims to mitigate the challenges of salinity which often leads owners to abandon farms.

The project is expected to encourage small and medium enterprises, create jobs, boost fish production and contribute to Oman’s food security.

The initiative also seeks to transfer and develop modern marine fish farming techniques for saline environments and to produce a field guide on these methods. Local and regional workshops on saline water aquaculture are also planned.

Separately, a delegation of experts from the Ministry met with European Commission counterparts in Brussels to discuss the registration of aquaculture companies from both countries.

The discussions covered compliance with EU export requirements for Omani farmed fish products, customs duties and the issuance of electronic veterinary health certificates for EU countries.

These meetings are part of the Ministry's ongoing efforts to facilitate fish product exports, enhance the sector's global standing and ensure Omani fish farms and factories meet international market standards.