An economic feasibility study of a trawl fishery in the Gulf lying between Iran and the Arabian peninsula

While accurate statistical data on the depth of the demersal resources of the Gulf are scant, there is sufficient information available to justify investment in an integrated trawl fishery in some of the Gulf states. Because of the enclosed nature of the Gulf, and the fact that the coastline is divided among eight states, some of which, as a matter of national health interest, might profitably introduce fish as a dietary supplement for their people, while others are largely interested in export- market development, no single scheme can be evolved as a module for general application. However, identification of investment prospects in the United Arab Emirates and Iran should not be taken to imply that possibilities do not exist in other states. Uncertainties regarding the continuing availability, as such, of the presently defined international fishing waters (non-territorial) is a major constraint to formulation of bankable investment proposals in those states with minimal coastal frontag e. Logistical problems, including provision of port facilities, and the marketing of the potential catch present greater obstacles to development within the region than does the actual capture of fish. There is a bankable investment opportunity for a phased, first-stage, integrated trawl fishery, based on the United Arab Emirates, to operate in the territorial and adjacent waters of the Union, within the Gulf and in the Sea of Oman. There are also possibilities for extending the shore installati ons for such a scheme to cater for longer-range trawling, with medium-range freezer trawlers, in the international waters of the Gulf and the northwestern sector of the Indian Ocean. Such an extension would lend itself to promotion by joint venture between local commercial interests and an expatriate company experienced in operating such vessels. The feasibility of marketing demersal fish in Iran has been on a first-stage, integrated trawl-fishery project, provided that berthage and land can be made available at the new port of Bandar Abbas. In countries where shrimp are available, the attraction of this resource in export cash potential has acted as a constraint to trawl-fishery development, and will continue to do so unless these countries clearly establish separate zones of permitted operation for each, or completely integrate the two fisheries. Local sales of fish cannot be greatly increased in any Gulf state without carefully coordinated efforts in education of the inland populati on to accepting fish as a diet component and in development of a distribution and marketing system. Where are available to a demersal trawl fishery, good quantities of premium, first category fish such as red snapper, red mullet, grouper, and sole, which are universally known and of proved export value as well as many lesser known and unknown varieties which are worthy of promotional marketing efforts. There is an urgent need for the Gulf States to formulate, and consider means of administering, a common policy on the rational use of and protection of the resources of the Gulf in the best interests of the peoples who surround it.

Bibliographic Details

Main Author:	Bromiley, P.S.
Format:	Document biblioteca
Language:	English
Published:	FAO ; 1972
Online Access:	https://openknowledge.fao.org/handle/20.500.14283/D1758E http://www.fao.org/3/a-d1758e.pdf
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