MUSCAT : Dr. Hussein bin Mohammed Al-Musqati, Director of the Fisheries Development Department in Muscat at the Ministry of Agricultural Wealth, Fisheries and Water Resources, said that the Ministry places strong emphasis on regulating fishing tools and practices due to their direct impact on fish stocks and the marine environment. He warned that misuse of certain fishing equipment can increase bycatch and disturb ecological balance.

Dr. Al-Musqati explained that coastal fishing nets are among the traditional methods long used by artisanal fishermen in governorates including North and South Al Batinah, Muscat, Musandam, and Dhofar. These nets are fixed near the shore to take advantage of sea currents, mainly targeting small surface fish such as anchovies and sardines during designated seasons. When regulations are followed, non-target species can be safely released; however, failure to comply with technical specifications, fishing areas, or seasons can result in the capture of unintended species.

He further detailed the use of encircling nets, noting two main types: those without bottom-closing rings, which allow some fish to escape, and those fitted with rings that trap all encircled fish. Using such nets outside approved specifications, he said, may lead to the large-scale capture of juvenile fish and the depletion of stocks in the medium and long term.

The Ministry has issued clear regulations for each fishing method, specifying technical standards, permitted areas and seasons, targeted species, and licensing requirements, including limits on the number of nets allowed. These measures are implemented in coordination with Sea Customs Committees across coastal wilayats. Dr. Al-Musqati stressed that non-compliance leads to harmful practices, prompting the Ministry to intensify monitoring, guidance, and awareness campaigns promoting responsible fishing.

An integrated regulatory, supervisory, and advisory system is being implemented to curb illegal fishing, including detailed rules on net specifications, permitted depths and locations, and targeted species to minimise bycatch. Licensing conditions require adherence to approved standards, seasonal restrictions, authorised quantities of gear, and protection of juvenile and protected species. The Ministry also enforces seasonal bans, including a prohibition on purse seine nets from August until the end of November to protect breeding fish, and bans fishing in sensitive marine areas such as coral reefs and mangroves.

Continuous awareness programmes targeting artisanal fishermen are being conducted through seminars, field visits, and media outreach, alongside intensified inspections by specialised judicial control teams. This year, a cooperation agreement was signed with the Security and Safety Services Corporation to enhance fisheries control efficiency. Penalties for violations range from fines and confiscation of equipment to suspension or cancellation of licences for serious or repeat offences, applied within a framework of justice and transparency.

The Ministry also relies on modern technologies, notably the Vessel Monitoring System (VMS), to track fishing activities in real time. An agreement has been signed to equip all artisanal fishing boats with electronic tracking devices, strengthening compliance monitoring. Coordination with the Coast Guard Police, the Environment Authority, Sea Customs Committees, and the Omani Fishermen’s Association remains central to combating illegal fishing.

From an environmental perspective, Dr. Mona bint Hashel Al-Tarshi, a marine life management specialist at the Environment Authority, warned that bycatch threatens marine ecosystems by killing non-target species such as turtles, sharks, and marine mammals, which play critical roles in food chains. She said continued bycatch leads to biodiversity loss, ecosystem instability, and heightened risks of local extinction, particularly for slow-reproducing species. Environmental monitoring relies on indicators such as coral reef health and marine biodiversity levels to detect imbalances.

Highlighting the fishermen’s viewpoint, Jassim bin Abu Bakr Al-Balushi, a craft fisherman and member of the Amateur Fishing Network, said overfishing directly threatens artisanal livelihoods and marine sustainability. He called for stronger awareness programmes targeting new and young fishermen, greater understanding of seasonal regulations and permitted gear, and stricter penalties for repeat violations. Individual breaches, he warned, may seem minor but accumulate into serious long-term challenges.

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