Oman prohibits abalone fishing

Muscat: Oman has declared a three-year-long moratorium on the harvest, sale and export of abalone - a shellfish that commands top dollars in the markets of the Far East.

The moratorium, announced by Fisheries Minister Shaikh Mohammad Bin Ali Al Qatabi on Friday, is aimed at rebuilding abalone stocks after studies have pointed to an alarming decline in their numbers.

The mollusk, which thrives along the inshore waters of the Dhofar coast in the far south of the sultanate, sells for as much as 60 Omani riyals (Dh572) per kilo when dried and exported to international markets.

Abalone fishing is a strictly regulated activity under Omani law and is permitted only during two months during the year - November and December when the mollusk is thought to be fully grown.

Fishermen and women who harvest these shellfish are barred from using any oxygen cylinders or modern gear when they scour the shallow sea floor for the mollusk.

Using knives they pry loose its muscular foot, which attaches the abalone tightly to a rock or stone. The fleshy foot of the abalone is then sold to merchants who have them boiled, dried in the sun, and canned before the lot is exported.

Drop in production

Of late, however, a drop in production has sparked alarm among local fishing communities dependent on abalone fishing for their livelihoods. Production fell from a high of 56 tonnes in 2001 to 32 tonnes in 2007.

A study commissioned by the Ministry has since found that unsustainable fishing practices and other environmental factors have contributed to the sharp deterioration of the habitat that supports the shellfish.

While adult abalones were found to be dangerously low in numbers, fishermen were also known to target juveniles below 9cm in diameter in contravention of Omani law, according to the study.

Worse, fishermen in the hunt for abalone had upturned rocks and destroyed their habitat, the Fisheries Minister said, citing the report's findings.

Additionally, the uncontrolled growth of seaweed in the area had attracted an unusual number of predatory species like octopus and shark that preyed on the juvenile abalone, the report found.

Friday's moratorium effectively bans fishing, possession, transport, sale and export of abalone for the next three seasons through until 2010.

What is it?
Popular shellfish

Abalone is a shellfish that thrives along the inshore waters of the Dhofar coast in the far south of the sultanate. The mollusc attaches itself to a rock or stone using its muscular foot. The fleshy foot of the abalone is boiled, dried in the sun, and canned for export.

Uncontrolled growth of seaweed in the area has attracted an unusual number of predatory species like octopus and shark that prey on the juvenile abalone reducing their numbers.