The Two Sides of the Net: The Sustainability of Commercial Fishing in Oman
Imagine standing barefoot on a sun-scorched concrete dock, where sailfish and gummy sharks are unloaded by hand, a stark contrast to the glossy, air-conditioned fish markets some of us are used to. This is Salalah, Oman—a place where fishing isn’t just a livelihood but a deeply ingrained way of life. Yet, it’s also a battleground for debates about sustainability, global markets, and the value of species revered in one part of the world and harvested en masse in another. Let’s dive into the complexities of Oman’s commercial fishing industry, focusing on sailfish and gummy sharks, and ask: Can this fishery survive, and at what cost?

Sailfish and Gummy Sharks: A Tale of Two Species
Sailfish, often called the cheetahs of the sea, are prized for their speed and striking dorsal fin. In Florida, catching a sailfish is a badge of honor—provided you release it afterward, of course. Yet here in Oman, these majestic fish are netted by the ton, destined for export markets like Vietnam, where they’re processed into dried and smoked delicacies.
Then there’s the gummy shark, a more humble but equally important player. Known for their smooth, scaleless skin, they’re a staple in seafood markets. Their cartilage and meat are in high demand, particularly in Southeast Asia. These species are valuable commodities, but their abundance has painted a target on their fins, raising questions about overfishing and long-term viability.

The Export Market: Feeding Demand, Draining Local Waters
Oman’s fishery exports, primarily to Vietnam, are a double-edged sword. On one hand, they bring in revenue that supports local economies and provides jobs for foreign workers, predominantly from Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. On the other, this relentless demand exerts immense pressure on local fish populations. The irony here is almost poetic: fish that are celebrated and protected elsewhere are treated as mere export goods in Oman. It’s like discovering your grandma’s handmade quilt being sold as a car wash rag halfway across the world.

The Dhows and the Struggles of the Fleet
The fishing fleet in Salalah is predominantly manned by Bangladeshi and Sri Lankan workers, many of whom endure harsh conditions to make a living. The dhows they use, particularly the Shu’ai, are traditional wooden vessels that have been a symbol of Omani fishing heritage for centuries. But these boats face modern challenges: a lack of ice storage onboard means fish quality often suffers, leading to scenes of dried sailfish sprawled across concrete harbors—a far cry from the pristine presentation you’d expect in a high-end market.
Adding to the problem, smaller boats ferry ice to the dhows under the searing sun, but it’s often too little, too late. The use of gill nets to target species like sailfish further complicates matters, as these nets capture indiscriminately, affecting both target and non-target species. It’s a case of efficiency over selectivity, with long-term consequences that are hard to ignore.

Reverence vs. Harvest: A Cultural Conundrum
Here’s the kicker: Sailfish, a species so revered in places like Florida that anglers proudly release them for photos and bragging rights, are hauled by the truckload in Oman. This stark contrast in attitudes is a cultural riddle. Who’s right? The catch-and-release crowd, sipping craft beer while recounting their “epic” battle with a fish they let go? Or the barefoot fishermen in Oman, scraping by to feed their families and supply an insatiable global market?
The truth is, it’s not a simple matter of right or wrong. The Western perspective often frames such fisheries as unsustainable, but that view ignores the socioeconomic realities on the ground. These fishermen, with their calloused hands and worn-out nets, are part of a tradition that’s survived for generations. Who are we to judge from our climate-controlled bubbles?

Sustainability: At What Cost?
The argument boils down to this: Can Oman’s fishery continue to thrive while balancing ecological sustainability with economic necessity? On one side, there’s the risk of overfishing, declining fish stocks, and damaged marine ecosystems. On the other, there’s the livelihood of thousands of fishermen and the communities they support.
The photos tell the story: Men offloading sailfish and gummy sharks onto harbor walls, trucks being loaded with dried fish, dhows waiting for ice that’s already melting before it arrives. These images are a testament to the gritty reality of commercial fishing in Oman. They’re not pretty, but they’re real.

Two Sides of the Coin
So, is it sustainable? Maybe. Maybe not. It depends on where you’re standing. From a Western perspective, the overharvesting of sailfish might seem like an environmental crime. But step onto the concrete in Salalah, and you’ll see a different picture: a tradition of fishing that’s as much about survival as it is about culture.
This isn’t a call to pick sides. It’s a call to understand that there are always two sides to every story. Whether you’re a conservationist in Florida or a fisherman in Oman, the answer isn’t clear-cut. The real challenge lies in finding a middle ground where both the environment and livelihoods can coexist. And maybe—just maybe—that’s a perspective worth catching.