(MENAFN- Muscat Daily) Oman's entire coastline is being covered under a project to find out which mollusc species are available in the sultanate's waters their stocks and what can be done to further boost revenues from viable varieties.
The project started in March by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries' Marine Sciences and Fisheries Center will also study and categorise species that show potential of promising returns from harvesting.
Dr Abdulaziz Said al Marzouqi the centre's director said 'Oman has a long coastline and many edible mollusc species are sold at its fish markets. Through this project we are trying to further know which species are edible which are commercially viable which are not and if can we introduce the species to the aquaculture sector.'
Common edible molluscs that can be harvested from saltwater freshwater and on land include snails clams scallops oysters octopus squid and chitons among others.
Scientists estimate that there are more than 100000 mollusc species in the world's oceans today. Dr Abdulaziz said the market for molluscs in Oman is good. 'Species found in abundance can be harvested in aquaculture farms and can be a good source of revenue.'
However he cautioned 'Many mollusc species become poisonous during red tides and eating them can affect human health. Which is why one part of the project is to also try and find out the effects of red tides on the species available along Oman's coasts. We are covering the entire coastline from Musandam Batinah Sharqiyah Al Wusta Dhofar to Muscat.'
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