120 take part in fishing contest in maritime fest in Sur

120 take part in fishing contest in maritime fest in Sur

Sur – As part of its efforts to support fishermen, Omani Fishermen Association held a competition in the ongoing Maritime Heritage Festival in Sur on Tuesday.

Activities of the festival started on February 3 and will continue till February 19.

Speaking to Muscat Daily from Sur, Ahmed Abdullah al Balushi, Vice-President of Omani Fishermen Association and Chairman of the Organising Committee of the competition, said, “More than 120 fishermen and 25 boats participated in the contest to catch yellowfin tuna.”

The competition started from the Port of Sur at 4am and included three categories – large boats, small boats and the biggest fish caught.

The committee awarded total prize money of RO5,800 to the winners. The winner of the first category got RO2,000, the runner up won RO1,000, and RO500 went to the third-place winner.

In the second category, the first, second and third place winners took home RO1,000, RO600 and RO400 respectively, while the contestant with the biggest catch won RO300.

About the objectives of the competition, Balushi said the event aimed to support artisanal fishermen. “It is also a platform to know the challenges fishermen face, while also encouraging jobseekers to join the sector.”

Balsuhi added that the association continues to hold various events and