Contribution of Small-Scale Fisheries to the Livelihoods of Omani Women: A Case Study of the Al Wusta Governorate

Gender disaggregated data is not collected by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries Wealth of Oman. Consequently, there is a deficiency of information relating to the roles of women in the national fishery. Accordingly, the present study examined the involvement of women in artisanal fisheries in the Al-Wusta Governorate. Out of the total population of approximately 400 fisherwomen, 85 (~20%) were randomly interviewed to gain greater insight into their sociodemographic status and precise function in the artisanal fishery. Field-based observations on the molluscan, holothurian and crustacean fisheries in which women were engaged were also undertaken. Interviewees (mean age of 36 years) were separated into groups based on age distribution. Over 40% of respondents were illiterate and only 20% had attained secondary level education or above. 60% of women had 4 or more children. Fishing activities involved 5-10 h a day, three times a week. Women were generally engaged in gathering (gastropods and bivalves), gleaning (sea cucumbers) and spear fishing (cephalopods and crustaceans), as well as exclusively in capture, processing and marketing of marine gastropods. Recommendations for gender-sensitive interventions, incentivisation and support are presented.