Abalone harvest season starts

The harvest season of abalone will start in Dhofar Governorate today. Abalone is one of the marine wealth in the Omani waters. The price of one kilogram ranges between RO35 to RO70 and the price of one plate served at the South East Asian restaurants may be up to over $100. The Agriculture and Fisheries Ministry represented by the Directorate General of Fisheries in Dhofar Governorate completed the preparations for the abalone season which, as per the ministerial decision, extends from today to November 24. Dr Alawi Bin Salim Al Hafeedh, Director General of the Directorate General of Fisheries in Dhofar said the season for abalone fishing this year has been fixed at 20 days in a bid by the ministry to reduce pressure on the marine wealth which suffered remarkable declines in its growth rates, as well as fall in the number of big size abalones.