(MENAFN - Muscat Daily) The Wave, Muscat signed an agreement with the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MoAF) on Saturday to support the fishing community in Seeb and Bausher. The project is expected to benefit at least 1,000 fishermen and their families.
The agreement was signed by H E Dr Hamad bin Said al Oufi, Undersecretary at the ministry and Abdullah bin Khamis al Shidi, deputy CEO of The Wave, Muscat.
The project's aim is to support fishermen in Seeb and Bausher through the use of modern techniques and resources along with providing community support, environmental education and business training. As part of the project, state-of-the-art equipment will be provided to the fishermen to aid their work. In the community support part, The Wave, Muscat and MoAF will build better facilities for the fishermen. The project will be implemented by the ministry and fully financed by the company.
In another project, environmentally-friendly spherical concrete structures designed to withstand strong ocean currents will be dropped off the coasts of Seeb and Bausher to attract marine life. These have been proven to contribute greatly to coral reef management. In the economic support phase, the fishing community will benefit from business training courses offered by the ministry. These courses will focus on core skills including business planning and finance to help the fishermen grow their businesses.
Speaking on the occasion, H E Dr Oufi said, ''It is important that the fishermen have an understanding of their businesses as this is the main income for many families in the country. Through this project, we hope to directly benefit the fishermen and their families and help them build a more sustainable model by raising their living standards.''
Shidi said, ''Both parties will work together to boost fishermen's incomes in Bausher and Seeb. The fishing industry has been and always will be vital for the country, and we are pleased to be able to contribute to the growth and development of this important community.''<
