The Omani coastal traditional sardine fishery 1994-2007 : a review

الملخص EN

The Omani coastal fishery is categorized into small pelagics, large pelagics, demersals, shellfishes, and sharks and rays.

During the period 1994-2007 the small pelagics contributed 39 and 21 % to the total Omani fisheries landings and values respectively. During 1994-2007 sardines alone contributed 76 and 51 % to the total small pelagics landings and values, respectively.

Al-Batina and Muscat regions contributed the highest to the total landings; among other Omani regions, Musandam, Muscat, and Sharqiya and Al-Wusta regions.

Total sardines prices ranges from 114 to 225 Omani Rials per ton depending on where the sardines are coming from.

On the other hand, Al-Batina and Muscat regions contributed the most in the total sardine values.

Few gonadosomatic index studies indicated two major spawning peaks : a major one occurred during March-April and a minor one in September-October.