Louwe de Boer Mahmood Al Hinai

Louwe de Boer
Mahmood Al Hinai
Oman Fisheries Sector Overview
One of the largest fish producers in the region, and one of the largest consumers in
the world (up to 26.9 kg average annual consumption of fish per capita)
Net exporter of fish and fish products (amounting to USD 146 million in 2013)
The sector provides up to 45,220 direct employment for Omanis
Omani Fish
Local market
Urban areas
Export markets
Sector Challenges
Findings of the Feasibility Study indicate that
the sector is very fragmented
Urgent need for the modernization of fishing
fleets
21,475 fishing vessels available, of which 3,692
are not powered by engines
Over 99% of the remaining power vessels do not
exceed 12 meters in length1
Ensuring a consistent supply of fish for export
markets is currently under current conditions
difficult
Source: Food and Agriculture Organization for the United Nations, 2016
Opportunities
9.2% annual growth in population since 2013
One of the largest fish consuming countries in the world
Oman is an approved export country to the European Union
and the United States (amongst other huge markets)
Travel & Tourism’s contribution to GDP at a growth rate of
5.2% in 2015. Total visitor exports to the country grew by 6%
in 20152
2
Source: World Travel and Tourism Council, 2015
Next Steps
100% Local Company
Steep knowledge and
technology curve
Extensive international
market research required
Access to international
markets difficult without
appropriate standards and
licenses
Partner with an International
Company
Knowledge and expertise
transfer (international
markets, techniques)
Technology transfer
Licensing and
certifications available
Economies of scale
Next Steps
In order to successfully utilize the fishery sector in Oman,
Ekofish Oman will require:
Location- land at a fishing port for the processing plant and
product testing
Single contact point to clear all necessary approvals (i.e.
export stamps and Ministerial approvals)
Fishing the Future in Oman
Tuna Fishing in Oman:
1. Oman has not utilized its share of Tuna
fishing.
2. There’s no deep sea Tuna fishing in Oman.
3. Most of tuna are fished 100 miles from
shore.
4. No long linear in Oman, there are vessels but
not deployed.
5. Tuna fishing is traditional, using small boats
with 2 people and depends on luck of finding
tuna.
Tuna Handling
1.Once caught, fish remain on the boats for at least 812 hours, no ICE, no Cooling.
2.Quality detracts very quickly.
3.Once on shore, fish stays at least few more hours to
sell and get loaded onto trucks.
4.Trucks only use crushed ice to maintain freshness.
5.Hygiene is a major concern.
6.Partners are looking for consistent product quality
and sustainable fishery (especially Europe).
Streamlining the Process
1.Fishing long linear would allow for better access to
the sea and therefore increase catch
2.Handling of fish after long linear fishing will mean
icing the catch immediately.
3.Minimum human interference means that hygiene is
preserved.
4.You could stay longer hours out in the sea.
5.Utilizing different parts of the fish according to their
value so that they are sold at appropriate price points.
6.Logistics for fish requires improvement
Further Steps for Improvement Plan
1. Implementation sustainable fishery
- Co-operation between fishermen – ministries – NGO’s
(like WWF) to startup Fishery Improvement Program (FIP)
2. Train fishermen to do the proper job in catching the fish:
- Cooling fish immediately after catch is key issue,
- Improvement on current type of boat used is needed and
not complicated,
- Introduction of collector ship (see Vripack),
- advantage for fishermen: stable and good price for the
caught fish,
- quality advantage by processing immediately on
the collector ship,
- Cool chain will stay intact up until unloading of the fish.
3. Factory on shore with cooling, processing and freezing
capacity:
- Logistics from collector ship with own refrigerated and
clean truck(s)
- IFS certified processing plant with EU accreditation for
export to EU countries
- Building quality oriented market, starting in Oman –
Muscat.
Thank You
In partnership with