Fishermen's villages strengthen sector growth in Al Wusta

Fishermen's villages are emerging as a cornerstone project in Oman's Al Wusta Governorate, designed to bolster the fisheries sector by providing essential infrastructure and integrated communities for Omani fishermen.

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The fishermen's villages represent a cornerstone project within the supporting infrastructure framework for the fisheries sector in the Sultanate of Oman.

Asaad Salim Al Amri, Director of the Fisheries Department in Al Wusta, explained that these villages offer more than just housing. They aim to create stable residential and service environments close to productive fishing grounds, thereby attracting fishermen, enhancing the sustainability of their profession, and revitalizing coastal communities. This integrated approach fosters stability and elevates productivity.

Al Wusta Governorate, with its extensive coastline along the Arabian Sea, diverse fishery resources, and multiple fishing seasons, is a prime location for such developments. Al Amri noted that the governorate is a promising region for economic activities linked to fisheries, and the villages are integral to a comprehensive development system.

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The concept of fishermen's villages extends beyond the provision of housing to encompass the creation of integrated fishing communities equipped with the essential services required by fishermen in their daily lives and professional practice.

The initiative is viewed not just as a housing project but as a mechanism to attract fishermen to production sites, stimulate activity at landing points, and improve fish circulation and marketing. This, in turn, creates positive ripple effects throughout the fisheries value chain. The model fishing village at Ras Madrakah in Duqm exemplifies this strategy, featuring 19 residential villas, a mosque, commercial outlets, and office space. With a target occupancy of 228 fishermen, the project is currently 60% complete, ahead of schedule.

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The establishment of fishermen's villages in Al Wusta Governorate constitutes an integral component of a comprehensive system for fisheries sector development.