MoAF issues stricter controls on use of fishing cages

12/7/2015 3:27:39 AM

(MENAFN- Muscat Daily) Muscat-

H E Dr Fuad bin Jaafar bin Mohammed al Sajwani Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries has issued a decision on the use of fishing cages their specification and areas where they can be used.

Based on the Marine Fishing and Living Aquatic Resources Protection Law issued by Royal Decree 53/81 the latest decision (270/2015) allows the use of cages only after obtaining a licence from the competent authority.

The licensee should submit a symbol or brand logo that will have to be attached to all the cages and must conform to recommendations of the marine fishing committee of the wilayat concerned.

The decision prohibits the use of cages around coral reef sites mangroves bays and creeks fishing ports and protected marine sites. The cages can be used at a distance of not less than 12 nautical miles from the shore and at the depth of at least 50m.

It is also prohibited for fishermen and fishing vessels to possess cages which don't meet specifications mentioned in the decision. The ministry has also specified that the cages should not be made from material and substances that pose a threat to the marine environment.

The cages should not be more than 300cm in diameter and should have an escape ring of not less than 10cm for smaller fish to exit. The cages cannot be covered with any other material. The licensee should inform the authority about lost cages after which the licensee can be granted a permit for replacement. Artisanal fishing boats are now allowed a maximum of 40 cages while coastal and commercial fishing vessels can have 75.

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