Contribution of artificial reefs on fisheries productivity in the Sultanate of Oman from the fishermen perspective

Artificial reefs enhance the biological, physical, and socioeconomic processes associated with natural reefs. Omani fishermen have often used tires and old car frames to create traditional artificial reefs (TARs) that attract fish. The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Wealth, and Water Resources of the Sultanate of Oman (MAFWR) constructed ministry artificial reefs (MARs) throughout the Omani coasts. To assess fishermen 's perceptions of whether MARs enhance fisheries productivity and are used effectively, a survey was conducted in North AlBatinah with 96 fishermen. Most survey questions were answered on a 5-point Likert scale, with some asking about their personal opinions about MARs. Result showed that approximately 55% of the respondents owned TARs and 45% did not. Fishermen did not accept the idea of fishing within MAR sites, both old and new, and preferred fishing within TARs or in open waters. The results also demonstrated that fishermen mostly understood the role of MARs in boosting the yield and diversity of Wilayat fisheries. Approximately 91% of the interviewees thought that TARs were fish aggregation tools, and 88% believed TARs were fishery enhancing tools. Based on these findings, recommendations have been made to improve awareness on the role and locations of MARs. In the future, the use of MARs should be systematically regulated by the government.