The Omani Coastal Traditional Sardine Fishery 1994-2007:A Review

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 andMuscat regions contributed the highest to the total landings; among other Omani regions, Musandam, Muscat, and Sharqiya and Al-Wustaregions. Total sardines prices ranges from 114 to 225 Omani Rials per ton depending on where the sardines are coming from. On the otherhand, Al-Batina and Muscat regions contributed the most in the total sardine values. Few gonadosomatic index studies indicated two majorspawning peaks: a major one occurred during March-April and a minor one in September-October.