aquaculture
89 per cent of the total. In 2004, aquaculture production was valued at USD2.5 million compared to USD1.5 million in 2003. The gilthead seabream represented about 82 percent of the total production value. The majority of aquaculture production during 2003 and 2004 was exported as whole fish products to the United Arab Emirates with only very minor quantities having been consumed on the domestic market. There were two reasons for this, firstly the relatively high price of aquaculture products and secondly, as a result of the local customer preference in Oman, as it was fresh caught marine fish. The 2004 price of exported gilthead seabream was 4.5 USD/kg, while for European seabass was 5 USD/kg. Production from the tuna fattening project was exported directly to Japan. Tuna are headed and gutted prior to being export. Strict quality procedures are applied to the harvesting and packaging process. Exported tuna fetched a price of around 20 USD/kg, while tilapia fetches about 2.57 USD/ kg on the domestic market. Marketing of cultured white shrimp is wide- spread in Oman and other Gulf Cooperation Council Countries. Currently, the annual production reaches 100 tonnes. The local price of cultured shrimp may fetch seven to nine USD. The quantity and value of aquaculture production is still small compared to the contribution from capture fisheries. However, contribution from aquaculture towards the national economy is seen to increase in the nearest future as the sector progresses. Small-scale aquaculture production also contributes in terms of providing livelihood and income for local communities. Aquaculture Center: This recently established Centre is responsible for conducting scientific research dealing with all aspects of marine and freshwater aquaculture. The Centre also provides
32 DOSSIER GUIDE TO FOOD & HOTEL 2011-12
scientific and technical advice to the General Directorate of Fisheries in Oman on aquaculture and related topics. Aquaculture Development Department: This office was established in 2000 within the General Directorate of Fisheries Development following an increase in the level of interest, as well as in the number of applications, received from the private sector regarding investment in aquaculture. Investment proposals are received by the Department and then forwarded to the Aquaculture Laboratory for technical evaluation. Fish Quality Control Centre: The Centre was established in 1998 to ensure the quality of exported fish. The Centre has a department responsible for ensuring the quality of fish products. A second department is responsible for ensuring that companies comply with existing hygienic and quality assurance norms and regulations including the application of an appropriate HACCP system. Companies wishing to invest in aquaculture are required to obtain a quality control number from the Centre after meeting the conditions outlined in its quality regulations. Aquaculture Committee: This Committee is responsible for the evaluation of applications received from the private sector, it is chaired by the Director General of Fisheries and is composed of representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, the Ministry of Regional Municipalities, Environment and Water Resources, the Ministry of Housing, Electricity and Water, the Ministry of Trade and Commerce, the Ministry of Transport and Telecommunications and the Oman Chamber for Commerce and Trade. Other areas of responsibility include the determination of appropriate sites for each application and monitoring the development of the projects. The National Strategic Plan for Sustainable Aquaculture Development
in Oman has also been prepared and published in 2007 by the Aquaculture Centre for the development of the aquaculture sector. The Plan covers areas such as legislation, environmental and disease monitoring, and best practice in sustainable management and development. The Plan furthermore provides guidelines for engaging relevant Government authorities and private sector in the management of the sector. The main objectives of the Plan are to: Promote orderly development of a viable and professionally run aquaculture industry; Streamline the approval process of aquaculture investment applications; Promote environmental sustainable aquaculture; Ensure proper water utilization and control environmental contamination; Control the introduction and escapees of introduced aquatic species; and control the introduction of pathogens and monitor disease outbreaks. Sustainable aquaculture in Oman can be achieved through environmentally and socially responsible utilisation of the country’s natural resources through the cooperation of the private sector. The newly published Code of best practice for the aquaculture sector is seen as an important step forward. The code sets the guidelines on site and species selection, business planning as well as proper farm management. It also serves as the link to the existing government regulations in order to ensure proper interaction with the environment. The Government in fact recognises the importance of an environmental monitoring programme which includes surveillance, monitoring and reporting systems on aquaculture activities. More applied research in various areas of aquaculture is still required in order to promote the development of the sector.
Source: Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations