Oman to impose ban on shrimp fishing from this date

Muscat: The ban on shrimp hunting and trading will take effect from December 1, 2021, till August 31, 2022.

"The Ministry announces the end of the shrimp fishing season in the Sultanate for this year on November 30, and the ban on shrimp hunting and trading during the period of fertilisation, reproduction and natural growth, which begins from December 2021 till August 31, 2022," the Ministry of Agricultural, Fisheries and Water Resources said in a statement.

The Ministry of Agricultural, Fisheries and Water Resources calls upon all fishermen, fish carriers, companies, institutions, hotels, restaurants and individuals working in shrimp fishing and marketing to review the departments of agricultural, fisheries and water resources or fish development departments in the wilayats to register the quantities of shrimp they have before the the ban period starts. It will not be allowed to trade and export shrimp during the ban period unless it has been previously registered.

The Ministry calls on everyone to cooperate and to avoid legal procedures and penalties.

Living Aquatic Wealth Law punishes those who commit violations of shrimp fishing and possession during the ban period with a fine of up to OMR 5,000 or imprisonment for up to three months, or both penalties, with the confiscation of the quantity or price of shrimp, the confiscation of the equipment used in committing the violation, and the temporary or permanent withdrawal of the fishing licence.