Following the ban on offshore trawlers in the Oman EEZ introduced in 2010, the offshore zone of Oman was largely un-fished and fish supplies to the local market were in short supply. MEP developed a management strategy for a cost effective and viable coastal fishing fleet in Oman that meets the needs of the fishing industry, resource sustainability, labour and ‘Omanization‘ policies, as well as safety at sea requirements. The MEP team produced a feasibility study and management strategy in two phases. The first part of the project consisted of an analysis of the fisheries in Oman and the gulf region, followed by a consultation process in Oman with stakeholders, Government officials and interested parties. The second phase included proposals for the feasibility and management strategy of a strong locally owned and managed coastal fleet in Oman.
