North Batinah fishermen net huge Oysters catch

Large quantities of oysters have been collected by fishermen from North Batinah coasts, the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries has said.

The oyster is known locally as “Um Awainah” and is one of the most popular food options for Batinah residents at this time of year.

According to officials, the abundant quantity of the catch is due to many environmental factors, mainly sea currents.

A statement put out by the ministry said: “Some of the coastal areas in North Batinah have seen large quantities of oysters collected by the fishermen. Loyster is known locally as “Um Awainah”.”

It added: “This is due to environmental factors and marine currents. The collected quantity of oyster was estimated at 9 tons.”

Specialists from the Marine Sciences and Fisheries Centre affirmed that two species of the oyster have been identified and that the phenomenon occurs at multiple times of the year.

The oysters are found in both the Oman and the Arabian Gulf at the sandy bottom, at a depth ranging between 5 and 10 meters below the surface of the water and can be distinguished from other species through their white and brown crust.