The Sultanate of Oman's total fish production witnessed a drop of 22.6 percent to reach 346,391 tons by the end of May 2022, compared to 447,391 tons in the same period in 2021, according to statistics issued by the National Center of Statistical information (NCSI).

NCSI statistics also indicated a decrease in total fish production value by 1.9 percent to reach OMR 186,852 compared to OMR 183,299 during the same period in 2021.

Artisanal fishing, which compromises the Sultanate of Oman's largest share of fish production, fell by 24.3 percent to reach 324,004 tons by the end of May 2022 compared to 428,041 tons during the same period in 2021.

Al Wusta topped the governorates in the quantity of fish produced through artisanal fishing, with its production reaching 126,937 tons, and registering a decrease by 32.0 percent by the end of May 2022, compared to the same period in 2021.

The governorate of Ash Sharqiah South stood second, with a production of 101,303 tons and registering a decrease of 26.9 percent by the end of May 2022. The governate of Dhofar came third, with the production quantity reaching 32,646 tons, registering a decrease of 18.3 percent.

Fish production through artisanal fishing in the governate of Muscat registered a growth of 21.0 percent by the end of May 2022, with the production quantity reaching 13,403 tons compared to 11,081 tons during the same period in 2022.

Statistics indicate that coastal fishing rates registered a growth of 8.5 percent, and commercial fishing went up by 16.7 percent by the end of May 2022.

Meanwhile, shallow-water and small fish compromised the largest share of the total production of fish through artisanal fishing by the end of May 2022, with their quantity reaching 174,837 tons, registering a decrease of 33.6 percent compared to the same period in 2021.