The Al-Batinah coast is home to around 35% of the Sultanate of Oman's artisanal "sherfolk, who account for 28% of national landings by traditional means. Over the last 10 years, the region has experienced a general decline in its "shery with a consequence of socio-economic disturbance and increased "shing pressure. The present study was undertaken to gain base line socio-economic information upon the region and to examine the industry's structure and co-management strategies. Fisherfolk (mean age: 44.4$8.77 MSDN) were from large families (avg. 12.4), educationally challenged (1.10$2.58 yr formal education), and had limited opportunity for alternative employment. Mean crew size of "shing vessels was 1.86$0.63 (SD) and two di!erent systems were employed for calculating crew earnings. Average income per person was approx. US$ 5000 per annum although there was signi"cant disparity in income distribution between villages. Traditionally, "sherfolk have employed the Senat Al-Bahar (`code of the seaa), in e!orts to distribute and manage coastal "sheries. However, change in "shery management, away from local, to a more centralised style, has undermined the e!ectiveness of this system. This has resulted in alterations in "sherfolk behaviour, with some employing illegal mesh sizes, poaching and "shing in prohibited areas.

The Al-Batinah coast is home to around 35% of the Sultanate of Oman's artisanal "sherfolk, who account for 28% of national landings by traditional means. Over the last 10 years, the region has experienced a general decline in its "shery with a consequence of socio-economic disturbance and increase...