From Sea to Serve: An Integrated Situation Analysis of Oman’s Fisheries Sector

This study provides a comprehensive situation analysis of Oman’s fisheries sector, which remains under-researched despite its strategic importance for economic diversification under Oman Vision 2040. Adopting an integrated PESTEL-SWOT framework, the research evaluates the political, economic, social, technological, environmental, and legal dimensions of the sector to identify systemic constraints and development opportunities. The methodology employs a mixed-methods approach, triangulating quantitative data from national and international repositories with qualitative insights from 382 semi-structured interviews conducted across all coastal governorates between 2023 and 2025. Findings reveal that while the sector contributed approximately OMR 521.6 million (1.1%) to the national GDP at constant prices in 2025, it remains characterized by significant inefficiencies. Internal weaknesses include low value addition, with less than 15% of landings undergoing domestic processing, and high post-harvest losses historically estimated at 20% of catch value, highlighting gaps in cold-chain infrastructure. Environmentally, while small pelagic stocks appear stable, high-value species such as kingfish and abalone face overexploitation, further complicated by climate-driven productivity shifts. The analysis highlights critical policy implications, emphasizing the need for a transition from wealth-maximization to welfare-maximization to protect the artisanal fleet, which accounts for approximately 90% of national fisheries production. Key recommendations include the adoption of risk-based food safety management to access high-value global markets, the integration of climate-resilient provisions into legal frameworks, and targeted programs to strengthen youth participation in artisanal fisheries. Ultimately, the study provides an evidence-based diagnostic baseline for an under-researched region, aligning Oman’s fisheries management with the global mandates of SDG 14 and the economic objectives of the “Blue Economy”.