July 4, 2016

Oman to have first commercial-scale hatchery

The nascent aquaculture sector of Oman got a boost after the sultanate signed a contract for the first commercial-scale finfish hatchery capable of producing 15 million fingerlings annually.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and Oman Aquaculture Development Company (OADC) signed a cooperation agreement on Monday, June 27, for the establishment, operation and management of finfish hatchery in the Aquaculture Farming Centre in Al Bustan area, the Muscat Daily reported.

Dr Fuad bin Jaafar bin Mohammed al Sajwani, Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, and Eng Hassan bin Ahmad al Nabhani, chairman of the OADC board of directors, signed the agreement. "Hatchery is one of the basic ingredients for commercial fish farming projects and its presence is important for the development of aquaculture sector in terms of fingerlings supply within the country and reduce dependence on import", the ministry said.