Sunday 13 / October / 2024
Al Suwaiq: The coral reef farm in the Wilayat of Al Suwaiq, North Al Batinah Governorate , is the largest artificial coral farm in the Middle East and covers an area of 20km along the coastal line and with the width of 7km and the depth of 15 to 30 metres.
The farm is located 4 miles off the beach and is rich in different types of coral reefs, herbs, fish and other sea creatures, making it an ideal environment for many sea creatures.
Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Hadabi, Director General of the Directorate General of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources in North Al Batinah Governorate said that the coral reef farm in the Wilayat of Al Suwaiq is one of the vital projects executed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources and was opened in December 2019 at the cost of OMR2.6 million.
He said that the personnel concerned at the fisheries department in the governorate follow the diving operations at the farm to observe the formation of the coral reefs and for watching the sea creatures at the coral reef.
The coral reef farm in the Wilayat of Al Suwaiq has led to an increase in the fisheries stock in the artificial reef area, he said.
Sultan bin Hassan Al Marzooqi, Director of the Fisheries Department at the Directorate General of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources in North Al Batinah Governorate said that the coral reef farm represents an appropriate environment for diving and entertainment.
The farm led to the increase in fisheries stock, he said, adding that the farm represents one of the key elements for conducting research and studies on the artificial reefs and sea creatures.
It is worth mentioning that the coral reef farm in the Wilayat of Al Suwaiq accommodates 4,280 artificial reef units landed at the depth of 15 to 20 metres.
