MUSCAT: The Sultanate’s output of longfin tuna amounted to 68,000 tonnes in 2020 with a total value of RO 64 million compared to 37,000 tonnes with a value of RO 38 million in the previous year, according to the statistics of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources.

The 2020 longfin tuna fishing season was an exceptional one with an 84 per cent increase over the 2019 season, due to the developments in the fishing port fleet along with decreased fishing activities in some neighbouring seen a constant increase from 20,000 tonnes in 2016 to 68,000 tonnes in 2020, mostly from South Al Sharqiyah Governorate which accounts for 46 per cent of the Sultanate’s production followed by Al Wusta Governorate which contributes 21 per cent of total production.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources attaches a great importance to the management and monitoring of the fishing harbours of longfin tuna. The ministry has introduced a new system for data collection and updated the ship monitoring system. – ONA