MUSCAT, JULY 9
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources (MAFWR) has kicked off a survey of lantern-fish (locally known as Al Fanar) stocks in the Sea of Oman to explore the commercial potential of this important marine resource.
The project is part of a wider effort to develop the Sultanate of Oman’s fisheries sector and increase its contribution in the GDP through the implementation of economic development projects in cooperation with various local and international agencies and institutions.
The exploratory survey also comes within the framework of the sector’s strategy to create environmentally sustainable opportunities to commercialise lantern-fish resources and thereby contribute to the national economy.
The volume of unexploited lantern-fish stocks in the Oman Sea is estimated at 4.5 million tonne per a fisheries survey conducted by the Ministry during 1985-1991.
Lantern-fish represent an economic resource in terms of its potential as a source of ingredients for medicines, cosmetic products, nutritional supplements, fish meal and fish oils.
The survey will help ascertain the size of the lantern-fish biomass, and determine the level of sustainable production for the preparation of economic feasibility studies for the exploitation of the stocks. The survey will involve the deployment of an advanced scientific vessel and other methodologies.
The coverage area includes the waters off the governorates of Muscat and North and South Al Batinah. The survey will continue into 2023, according to the Ministry.
