A small, artisanal sea cucumber export fishery developed in the Sultanate of Oman in 2004. The area covered by the fishery is limited to a single shallow embayment of 320 km2 in Mahout Bay, and involves approximately 400 fishers, around 50% of whom are women. The fishing season (October to May) in 2005 was the first season to be officially recorded. However, anecdotal evidence suggests low levels of exploitation as early as the 1970s, although catch, effort and export data for this period are unavailable. The total biomass of the stock in 2005 was estimated at 1,500 tonnes (t) (fresh weight). In the following year, at least 14.5 t of processed Holothuria scabra were exported to the United Arab Emirates, corresponding to approximately 145 t, or around 10%, of the recorded biomass. Interviews with fishermen and traders revealed that in 2005, about 100 sea cucumbers per fisher per fishing trip were collected, whereas by 2007, less than 20 sea cucumbers per fisher per fishing trip were collected, indicating that there had been significant pressure on the resource. Over the same timeframe, the value of an average sized H. scabra was 0.1 Omani rials (USD 0.25) in 2005, increasing to 1.5 Omani rials (USD 3.75) in 2007, and is still increasing. Concomitantly, fishers began targeting the less valuable H. atra in large numbers. This species commands a market price of 0.2 Omani rials (USD 0.5) per specimen. Also, an examination of processed specimens for sale showed a significant number of very small individuals (<6 cm processed, corresponding to around 12 cm live length). These concurring evidences suggest a rapid decline of H. scabra populations in Mahout Bay, with a corresponding increase in pressure on other species such as H. atra. Accordingly, the Ministry of Fisheries Wealth of the Sultanate of Oman has initiated a number of projects aimed at monitoring the sea cucumber fishery with the ultimate objective of providing a regulatory framework to ensure the sustainability of the resource. Projects also include an evaluation of enhancement and ranching techniques.

A small, artisanal sea cucumber export fishery developed in the Sultanate of Oman in 2004. The area covered by the fishery is limited to a single shallow embayment of 320 km2 in Mahout Bay, and involves approximately 400 fishers, around 50% of whom are women. The fishing season (October to May) in 2...