The Omani Abalone Haliotis mariae (Wood, 1828) Fishery: Challenges Over Three Decades

Jufaili, Saud M. Al; Rashdi, Khalfan Al; Elegbede, Isa

doi:10.2983/035.039.0314

Cited by 2 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…According to Al-Ghassani [18], between 49 and 76% of the abalone catch during the open fishing season in the past ten years has been below the legal fishing size (90 mm). Al Jufaili et al [6] reported that abalone dealers purchase undersized abalone from children and women divers. Additionally, Al Jufaili et al [6] suggested that the free movement of all divers between different fishing areas and the absence of individual fishing quota per season or area led to an uncontrolled harvest of the abalone and consequently possible short-term overfishing of small abalone populations.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Al Jufaili et al [6] reported that abalone dealers purchase undersized abalone from children and women divers. Additionally, Al Jufaili et al [6] suggested that the free movement of all divers between different fishing areas and the absence of individual fishing quota per season or area led to an uncontrolled harvest of the abalone and consequently possible short-term overfishing of small abalone populations. Therefore, targeting undersized abalone probably hindered the accumulation of legal large abalone (90 mm) available for harvest during the open fishing season.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The abundance and size of abalone continued to decrease in 2013, recording the largest decrease occurred in the number of legal size abalone (≥90 mm) and mean size (60.5 mm) during the study (see Figure 5). This is why divers themselves stopped fishing in 2013 [6]. The next year, 2014, our survey showed that the density and size of the abalone had recovered to approximately the average level; the fishing season was opened, and the catch was high, amounting to 50 tons.…”

Section: Relation Of Abalone Density and Size With Fishingmentioning

confidence: 94%

“…The abalone fishery in Oman is managed by several regulations, including restricted fishing areas, minimum legal fishing size of 90 mm shell length, fishing gear restriction, and closed fishing seasons. The closure of the abalone fishing season in Oman was introduced in 1987 for six months (April to September) from 1987 to 1990 by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (now the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Water Resources (MAFWR)), followed by a two-to threemonth fishing season (October, November, and December) from 1991 to 2007 [1,6] [7]. It is important to mention that the divers ceased fishing for abalone in the open season of 2013 to allow recovery of the stock [6].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Abalone landings (foot wet weight) have been available since 1988. During the first 20 years (1988)(1989)(1990)(1991)(1992)(1993)(1994)(1995)(1996)(1997)(1998)(1999)(2000)(2001)(2002)(2003)(2004)(2005)(2006)(2007), the abalone landings varied between 29 and 56 tons, with an average landing of 43 tons [6]. In the open fishing season in 2011, the abalone landings recorded the highest production of 149 tons (approximately 21.5 million US$), following a closure of fishing for three consecutive years from 2008 to 2010 [8].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Three-Year Closure of Fishing Seasons as a Management Tool for the Omani Abalone, Haliotis mariae, Fishery in the Sultanate of Oman

Al-Ghassani

Chesalin

Balkhair

et al. 2022

Journal of Marine Sciences

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Data from underwater surveys conducted between 2009 and 2021 were analyzed to determine the effect of closed fishing seasons on the density and size composition of Omani abalone, in the main fishing areas (Mirbat, Sadah, Hadbin, and Hasik). The average density of abalones, the abundance of mature and legal size abalone, and the average abalone size increased significantly after a 3-year closure (2008-2010). From 2012 to 2021, abalone density and size decreased despite four 1-2 years of closed fishing seasons. The density of mature abalone after 2011 was below the minimum spawning density of Haliotidae. Abalone densities were found to be relatively high in Sadah and Hadbin but very low in Mirbat and critical conditions in Hasik. Lack in regulations’ enforcement, overlap between fishing and reproduction season, and the uncontrolled number of divers are probably the main reasons for the decline in abalone abundance and size. Future fishing closure must be extended for at least three years, and abalone harvest in Mirbat and Hasik should be banned for at least five years. The number of divers must be regulated, and changing the fishing season must be evaluated. It is necessary to identify if the population is sustainable, threatened, or recovering, by studying more biological aspects of the Omani abalone, including minimum spawning density, abalone aggregation, and recruitment levels at each fishing ground. These studies will help the authorities to decide when fishing must stop to avoid any further reduction in the abalone densities. It is important to understand the socioeconomic status of abalone diver’s communities in Oman for better management and development.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Relation Of Abalone Density and Size With Fishingmentioning

confidence: 94%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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